Open Secret
John Lundquist claims that secrecy is one of the features of temples and temple rituals in the ancient world. All temples are sacred space, which means secret space, off-limits to any but the authorized. He cites Exodus 19:12-13, 21-24 in support.
This is certainly true of ancient temples in general, and it applies to the Bible insofar as the inner sanctuaries were off-limits. Yet the interior of the sanctuary, and the rites performed there, were recorded , and that record was to be read out to the people every seven years (Deuteronomy 31:9-13).
Even before Jesus tore through the veil, the secrets of the temple were an open secret, read out to the priestly nation.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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