Orientation of worship
Throughout the OT, worshipers drew near to God moving from east to west, returning to Eden. The Christian church reversed this, so that Christian worshipers enter by the west door and face east during worship. Is this change justified? What does it signify?
No doubt many things, but this at least: Though worshipers in the OT faced west, Yahweh Himself was enthroned above the cherubim at the west-most portion of the sanctuary, facing east. We face east in worship because we have entered the sanctuary, and not only entered to do obeisance but entered to take thrones beside our High King. We face east in worship because we are enthroned with Christ in the west, in the Most Holy Place, in heavenly places.
(Thanks to Peter Roise for the conversation that led to this conclusion.)
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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