Writing a review of John J Collins and Adela Yarbro Collins’ book, King and Messiah as Son of God: Divine, Human, and Angelic Messianic Figures in Biblical and Related Literature (Eerdmans, 2008), the issue of proskynesis came up. Was Jesus “worshipped” as God? Not really, according to the authors. Proskynesis had variable meanings (worship, bowing down, self-prostration). On the “higher end” of the scale is worship in its fullest sense. On the “lower end” is submission to a higher authority, like bowing down before a king.

For the authors, Jesus was recognised as preexistent and divine, but not on binitarian terms.  As the messiah, Son of Man, son of God, etc. he was recognised as “a god” (Gospel of John) or the principal angel (Revelation), or God’s “first creature”. So “worship” of Jesus refers to submission to his power and authority, and his divinity, they appear to suggest, was more “functional” than “ontological”. Perhaps a social-scientific reading of “worship” and “divinity” is needed here. Any takers?

Theological issues aside, I was sent this picture below demonstrating something similar to proskynesis on the “lower end” of the scale. It demonstrates the customs of Venda culture, and how children greet adults. This is self-prostration really in action, and note the hands laid on top of each other.

Proskynesis in Venda Culture

I think these little ones look exquisite! The Venda people is situated in the northern parts of South Africa, in the Limpopo Province. Traditionally, in black cultures, much respect is shown for seniors, as this photo amply demonstrates. Another example is that when a youth greets an older man, he must not look him in the eyes, but look somewhere to the floor or to the sides as a sign of respect. (Of course, for Westerners this would be a sign that the youth is trying to hide something.)