coram Deo
Literally, “before the face of God”; the Christian conviction that every person is responsible before God for all they think and do, because all of life is lived in the the presence of God, under his authority, and everything should be done to the honor and glory of God;1
- From scripture:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men … . (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
- From Covenantal Apologetics by K. Scott Oliphant:
[A]ll people, just because they are image of God, are responsible to God for everything they are, do, and think… . Every person lives coram Deo, that is, before the face of God, and thus is responsible to God for his every thought and action. This responsibility is presumed in the final judgment. God will judge all men on that day. Those who have rejected him will be eternally punished for that rejection, and those who have trusted him will be eternally rewarded. This judgment assumes that the entirety of humanity is responsible to the same God; all are obligated to obey him because he is their Creator and Sustainer.
Learn more:
- R. C. Sproul: What does coram Deo mean? and Living Coram Deo
- Burk Parsons: Integrity, Coram Deo
Related terms:
1See What Does “coram Deo” Mean?
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