Culture and Truth
The culture of any group of people has a profound influence on the sort of propositions that they are likely to find believable. Here, I’m… Read More »Culture and Truth
Articles on Culture
Multiculturalism veiled as "Missional"
I thought I’d post a helpful discourse by Dave Doran in his journal article on “Market-Driven Ministry,” which answers well recent justification of a neutral… Read More »Multiculturalism veiled as "Missional"
Can biblical principles about music be applied across cultures?
On Saturdays we repost articles from the archives that apply to current issues. The following article deals with the issue of cross-cultural musical meaning. The… Read More »Can biblical principles about music be applied across cultures?
Book Review: Prophetic untimeliness: A challenge to the idol of relevance
book review by Phil E. Suiter, Ph.D. Guiness, O. (2003). Prophetic untimeliness: A challenge to the idol of relevance. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. One… Read More »Book Review: Prophetic untimeliness: A challenge to the idol of relevance
Fashion is arbitrary
Reflecting on the demise of Crystal Cathedral, Harriet Baber wrote in the Guardian this stinging indictment of American evangelicalism: Of course we don’t expect popular… Read More »Fashion is arbitrary
How Christian Were the Middle Ages?
Editor’s note: This article is posted partially in response to discussion of Scott Aniol’s post on medieval hymnody. I have suggested elsewhere that the civilization… Read More »How Christian Were the Middle Ages?
The Pre-Tridentine Roman Church
I’ve had some good questions about the Medieval Church resulting from my recent article on medieval hymnody. I’d like to make a few short observations… Read More »The Pre-Tridentine Roman Church
A Brazilian tribesman talks about culture, worship, and the gospel
I mentioned in my report on our Brazil trip that I had the opportunity to sit down with a man who grew up in a… Read More »A Brazilian tribesman talks about culture, worship, and the gospel
How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Full Series
I have received several e-mails asking if parts or all custom writing paper of this series may be used in church newsletters, bulletin inserts, etc.… Read More »How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Full Series
How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Part 4
Conservative Christians will be committed to worship forms that have been nurtured within the community of faith. Such discernment is difficult, however, because all of… Read More »How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Part 4
Where Is Christ in Christmas?
Christmas—a very mention of the word produces delight and expectation in the hearts of people everywhere. Or does it? For some Christians, Christmas is a… Read More »Where Is Christ in Christmas?
Is Music a Separation Issue?
Music philosophy is not a separation issue of the same kind of level as heterodoxy or flagrant, known sin. Probably one of the most common… Read More »Is Music a Separation Issue?
What music should be used when planting indigenous churches in . . . the United States of America?
It seems as if several themes have been reoccurring on this site, Paleoevangelical, and a few other places over the last few weeks. These themes… Read More »What music should be used when planting indigenous churches in . . . the United States of America?
Musical Universality, Ethnodoxology, and Associations
We must evaluate both the intrinsic meaning within music and the potentially negative associations of a song before we adopt it into Christian worship. The… Read More »Musical Universality, Ethnodoxology, and Associations
Should we use Western music when planting indigenous churches in other cultures?
Here is a question about culture and missions I recently received by e-mail: I am intrigued by this idea of culture and music. It seems… Read More »Should we use Western music when planting indigenous churches in other cultures?
Full "Correcting Categories" Series
Below are links to individual posts and the full document of the “Correcting Categories” series. Correcting Categories, Part 1 – Biblical Authority Correcting Categories, Part… Read More »Full "Correcting Categories" Series
Correcting Categories, Part 10 – Conclusion
If the Church today is going to be able to rightly apply biblical principles to music and worship, it must recover important categories that are… Read More »Correcting Categories, Part 10 – Conclusion
Correcting Categories, Part 9 – the Church Today
Today, the influences of Modernism, Revivalism, and Charismaticism in the Church’s understanding of the purpose and function of music in worship cannot be overestimated. First,… Read More »Correcting Categories, Part 9 – the Church Today
Correcting Categories, Part 8 – Music and Emotion in the Church
A Radical Change Protestants have historically been suspect of Dionysian forms of music, especially in sacred contexts, because they recognized that spiritual life resides in… Read More »Correcting Categories, Part 8 – Music and Emotion in the Church
Correcting Categories, Part 7 – The Nature of Pop
My goal in this series is to help believers apply the Bible to their musical choices in life and worship. My contention is, however, that… Read More »Correcting Categories, Part 7 – The Nature of Pop