Discipleship: More Than Data Transmission
An important question every Christian must ask is, What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? Very simply, a disciple will observe all… Read More »Discipleship: More Than Data Transmission
Scott Aniol
Scott Aniol is the founder and Executive Director of Religious Affections Ministries. He is director of doctoral worship studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in ministry, worship, hymnology, aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. He is the author of Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship, Sound Worship: A Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World, and By the Waters of Babylon: Worship in a Post-Christian Culture, and speaks around the country in churches and conferences. He is an elder in his church in Fort Worth, TX where he resides with his wife and four children. Views posted here are his own and not necessarily those of his employer.
The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Biblical, Not Unregulated
For the past month, I have been tracing Paul’s argument about spiritual gifts in corporate worship in 1 Corinthians 14, drawing out important implications including… Read More »The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Biblical, Not Unregulated
The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Order, Not Disorder
Sometimes people comment that the New Testament gives us very little instruction regarding corporate worship, but this is not true. There are many NT passages… Read More »The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Order, Not Disorder
The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Edification, not Expression
Paul’s central argument in the only full NT chapter addressing corporate worship is that for corporate worship, the spiritual gift of prophecy was to be… Read More »The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Edification, not Expression
The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Believers, Not Unbelievers
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul makes the specific argument that in corporate worship, the gift of prophecy is to be desired over the gift of… Read More »The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Believers, Not Unbelievers
The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Corporate, Not Individual
For the last couple of weeks I have been laying the contextual foundation for what is perhaps the most significant chapter in the New Testament… Read More »The Nature and Purpose of Corporate Worship: Corporate, Not Individual
Decent and Orderly Worship: Why is Prophecy better than Tongues?
Last week I started a series on what is likely the single most important text in the New Testament regarding our corporate worship—1 Corinthians 14.… Read More »Decent and Orderly Worship: Why is Prophecy better than Tongues?
Decent and Orderly Worship: The Context
“Our church’s worship is pretty formal, but I prefer Holy Spirit-led worship.” Such was the comment I overheard recently by a young evangelical describing his… Read More »Decent and Orderly Worship: The Context
What should we do when the government tells us to do something that contradicts Scripture?
Last week I addressed the matter of how we Christians should view government, especially in our time when we’re wrestling through our response to orders… Read More »What should we do when the government tells us to do something that contradicts Scripture?
What does government have the right to do?
In these times of government-mandated quarantine for many US states and even countries around the world, the issue of the biblical role of government, and… Read More »What does government have the right to do?
Use this time to develop healthy family worship habits
If you’re like most people right now, you’re finding yourself at home a whole more these days! There are certainly lots of challenges involved with… Read More »Use this time to develop healthy family worship habits
Facing the Cross: A Service of Scripture and Song
One of the things I’m going to miss most (among many!) during this unusual season when our church can’t gather is our annual “Facing the… Read More »Facing the Cross: A Service of Scripture and Song
Why “Virtual Lord’s Supper” Is Impossible
This past Monday I turned 40, and because of “stay in place” requirements, my wife hosted a surprise Zoom birthday celebration. About 20 people logged… Read More »Why “Virtual Lord’s Supper” Is Impossible
Home Worship Resources During COVID-19
Last week I briefly highlighted how a church can at least approximate worship “together” while we’re prevented from being together physically, and I definitely echo… Read More »Home Worship Resources During COVID-19
How a church can worship “together” during COVID-19
It may be tempting to think that we are living in unprecedented times until we remember that Christians have faced persecution and plagues throughout history.… Read More »How a church can worship “together” during COVID-19
The Dangers of Syncretism and Idolatry
In the Old Testament Law, God gave his people very specific instructions about how they were to relate to the people around them, including in… Read More »The Dangers of Syncretism and Idolatry
New Book! Tune My Heart: Bible Narratives Devotional Guide for Families or Individuals
I am very pleased to announce the publication of a new book that I have been working on for the past three years—Tune My Heart:… Read More »New Book! Tune My Heart: Bible Narratives Devotional Guide for Families or Individuals
How the Order of OT Sacrifices Communicated a Theology of Worship
Last week I described how the layout and structure of the tabernacle communicated a particular transcendent theology of worship. Even the order of the sacrifices pictures… Read More »How the Order of OT Sacrifices Communicated a Theology of Worship
How the Tabernacle Communicated a Theology of Worship
At Mt. Sinai, God established standardized practices of worship for his people. First, God commanded that the people build a sanctuary for him. They built… Read More »How the Tabernacle Communicated a Theology of Worship
Forming a Great Commandment Culture
In the context of giving the Law at Mt. Sinai and the promise that if they follow God’s commands as a nation, God will bless… Read More »Forming a Great Commandment Culture