The Way of the Altar

The Way of the Altar is an ancient path, distinguishing those whom God receives from those whom He rejects.  Throughout the pages of Scripture, one theme persists from the dawn of humanity to the teachings of Christ: the altar. Not merely a place of ritual or sacrifice, the altar represents a spiritual path – the way – that defines man’s relationship with God.  In biblical theology, the altar is the locus of worship, repentance, covenant and divine fire.  It is where humanity meets divinity on legal grounds.  It is at the altar that destinies are sealed, prayers answered, and judgment passed.  The Hebrew term for altar, mizbeach, comes from the root z-b-ch, meaning “to slaughter” or “to offer a sacrifice”.  It is a place of death – yet paradoxically, also a place of divine encounter and life.