Biblical Worship

 In the book Fool’s Gold – Discerning Truth in an Age of Error,” edited by Dr. John MacArthur (Crossway Books, ISBN 158134726X), MacArthur has written a chapter on worship music titled, “Solid Rock? What the Bible says about Contemporary Worship Music.”  In the chapter he addresses the meaning of the Apostle Paul’s phrase – ‘psalms, hymns and spiritual songs’ (Colossians 3:16). 

MacArthur states that “the greater significance of the expression of “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” seems to be this:  Paul was calling for a variety of musical forms and a breadth of spiritual expression that cannot be embodied in any one musical form.  The strict psalms-only view (which is gaining popularity in some Reformed circles today) allows for none of that variety.  The views of fundamentalist-traditionalists who seem to want to limit church music to the gospel-song forms of the early twentieth century would also squelch the variety Paul calls for.  More significantly, the prevailing mood in modern evangelical churches -where people seem to want to binge on a steady diet of nothing but simplistic praise choruses – also destroys the principle of variety Paul sets forth here.”

MacArthur continues sharing that he “believes the Protestant evangelical community erred a hundred years ago when the writing of hymns was almost completely abandoned in favor of gospel songs.  The error was not the embracing of a new form.  But the error lay in utterly casting aside the rich heritage of hymns-along with the didactic, doctrinal richness of Christian music that had edified and sustained so many generations.  And I am convinced Christian songwriters today are making a similar mistake by failing to write substantial hymns while purging the old hymns from our congregational music repertoire and replacing them with trite praise choruses and pop-song look-alikes.” (p. 119)

There will be some who will disagree with MacArthur’s view of contemporary worship music styles which he discusses in the chapter, but his view on this passage brings some clarity in light of trends in today’s church.

In a day when many pastors and other ministers are falling to sexual temptations, ministers have to constantly be on guard to protect themselves from sexual sin that destroys families and churches.  A local church in Louisville has set up guidelines they call the Staff Ten Commandments which they expect all of their ministerial staff to follow in their day to day ministry settings.  I think it sets high standards for ministers – standards which can prevent a minister from falling.  Here are the Staff Ten Commandments:

• Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
• Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex at the office.
• Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without the person’s mate.
• Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt not show affection that could be questioned.
• Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling.
• Thou shalt not discuss marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt be careful in answering cards and letters from the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt not be in an automobile alone with the opposite sex.
• Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.

The moment a minister thinks that he can not be tempted in this way is the moment he will fall to the temptation. 

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, ”You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1: 14-16) 

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

 D.A. Carson, research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois has edited the book, Worship By The Book (Zondervan, ISBN 0-310-21625-7).  Carson writes an introductory chapter on the biblical definition of worship followed by chapters written by Mark Ashton, Kent Hughes and Timothy Keller.  The book “offers pastors, other congregational leaders, and seminary students a thought-provoking biblical theology of worship, followed by a look at how three different traditions of churchmanship might move from this theological basis to a better understanding of corporate worship.”

Here is an outline of Carson’s definition of biblical worship found in chapter one of Worship by the Book.

1.  Worship is the proper response of all moral, sentient beings to God.

2.  Worship is the proper response for at least four reasons: we are to ascribe to the Lord glory due His name, worship is grounded in the character and attributes of God, God alone is the Creator, and we should be asking what does God expect of us in worship.

3. We worship our Creator-God precisely because He is worthy, delightfully so.

4.  This side of the Fall, human worship of God properly responds to the redemptive provisions that God has graciously made. 

5.  All true worship is God-centered.

6.  Christian worship is no less Christ-centered than God-centered.

7.  Christian worship is Trinitarian.

8.  Christian worship embraces both adoration and action.

9.  With the New Testament as our guide, our worship must manifest itself both in the individual believer and in corporate worship. which is offered up in the context of the body of believers.

10. The New Testament emphasis is that the people of God should worship Him in their individual lives and in their family lives and then, when they come together, worship Him corporately.

Carson’s chapter of the book (over 50 pages) explains these points in great detail.  I would encourage you to include this book in your library of worship books.  The first chapter alone is worth the purchase of the book because Carson gives such a solid biblical approach to worship.

 Music Through the Eyes of Faith by Dr. Harold Best is an excellent book giving attention to a philosophy of music and the role of music in worship.  Best is the former Dean of the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College and a frequent lecturer on the topics of music and worship. Music Through the Eyes of Faith leads the reader through a discussion of aesthetics, excellence, quality, Christian popular music and music in worship.  It is a thought provoking book written by a musician who has spent many years teaching music at the college level and leading worship in the local church.

What is the role of music in worship?  Best warns church musicians about how we view and use music in worship:

“There is a profound difference between great music activating our spirit and our truly being in the Spirit.  Works can quite legitimately and easily initiate the former, but only faith can imitate the latter.  It is in this sense that Christian musicians must be particularly cautious.  They can create the impression that God is more present when music is being made that when it is not; that worship is more possible with music than without it, and that God might possibly depend on its presence before appearing.  Faith, in its proper scriptural definition, does away with these errors without doing away with music.  It puts music in its proper place, along with every other act and offering: giver before gift and worship containing, not being contained by, acts of worship.”  (p. 153)

Christian musicians need to read this book and prepare to think deeply about the role of music in worship.  

Music Through the Eyes of Faith, Harold Best, (Harper Collins, 1993, ISBN0-06-060862-5)

 Greg Scheer has written a new book called The Art of Worship: A Musician’s Guide to Leading Modern Worship (Baker Books, 2006, ISBN 0-8010-6709X).  Scheer tackles issues such as when to make changes in the corporate worship of the church, and when to add a new service.  He also offers practical advice to worship leaders on how to work with singers and praise bands in a contemporary style. 

Despite the fact that the book spends a good bit of time discussing musical methods for contemporary worship, it also helps church leaders to explore whether a new service style is right for their particular church setting.  When considering starting a new service in a new musical style, Scheer believes this isn’t necessarily the best solution for many churches.  He states:

“Though church-growth experts encourage every new service to provide a new worship “menu item,” I believe that multiple services in different music styles should be approached cautiously.  Many churches try to convince themselves that a new service with a modern music style will reach the lost in their community when the real motive is to keep their own people from fighting over music, and the only ‘outreach’ will be to members of other churches.”

“While there are many practical reasons to start a new service every time a new music style comes down the pike, I believe that the end result is disastrous.  Where does it stop?  The baby boomers’ “contemporary” services have already become the “traditional” service in many evangelical churches, and Gen X is nipping at their heels with new worship styles – after all, doesn’t each generation deserve to have their own service with their favorite music?  Do we really want to encourage a church in which we wait for the older generations to die so we can move in with a new, exciting worship service?  I hope not.  I pray that the church of Jesus Christ will function as it’s intended, with respect between generations, submission to one another (and their musical preferences) in love, and patience with change.”  (p.29-30)

Scheer has made an excellent point.  As pastors and worship leaders let us consider how to keep the generations together in worship.  If there needs to be change in song selection or music styles, let’s move slowly and keep the Body of Christ unified.