I would be intrigued to hear Jesus Christ's thoughts on a $190 million church

As would we all. But I'll say this, the Christian relationship with money and with power is strange and counterintuitive, and the numbers don't generally add up the way a humanist would want them to. For example, the obvious argument -- that's a lot of money, it could be used to help the poor! -- was tried on Jesus once, and didn't carry much weight:

Matthew 26:6-13

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the
Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very
expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he
was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why
this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been
sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you
bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to
me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will
not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my
body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell
you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the
world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of
her.”

For a more obvious example, take Jesus' death itself. His ministry lasted a short three years -- imagine what he could have done, what he could have accomplished, had he lived a full life! He could have overseen the founding of his church. Made it as powerful (or not) as he liked. Taught us so much more. Healed so many more people. He gave all of that up, for gains that are . . . suspiciously spiritual in nature.

But that's God's way. It can seem sideways and backwards sometimes if you don't know him, and sometimes even if you do. He seems more interested in what the process of caring for the poor does to people than in absolute increase in worldwide living standards. More interested in what being and seeing a martyr does to people than in saving his devoted servants from the flames. More interested in HOW the problems of this world are overcome -- us AND him, not just one or the other -- than in how fast they are overcome.

That doesn't excuse expensive cathedrals, but it may help explain why the argument about them isn't straightforward. Things are complicated, and not always what they appear. I know "God works in mysterious ways" can be seen as an excuse not to explain anything, but honestly, just the documented ways we already know he's worked are much, much weirder than building something beautiful to inspire key people.

If that all sounds like sophistry, I can't disagree that it kind of is. I myself am critical of robes and trappings and cathedrals. It smells a bit too much like materialism for me, just as icons smell a bit too much like idolatry. I know, Catholics would say it isn't, but I'm still suspicious. I know, God might have his reasons, and he can tell you to do anything he likes, but I still wonder. Are they acting on words of prophecy, or just habits and best intentions?

And then there's the issue of appearances. When the world looks at a $190 million church, do you think they see love for God, a tribute to holiness? I guarantee you they see greed and pride. That's not something to take lightly.

So yeah, I don't approve either . . . but it's complicated.