Tozer’s Second Concern – Pragmatism
A.W. Tozer had the uncommon ability to step aside from his own culture, and see as alien what had become natural. Tozer saw that the… Read More »Tozer’s Second Concern – Pragmatism
Articles on Worship
Liturgy as an appropriate unifier
God wants his people to be unified, but some doctrinal and practical matters are important enough that secondary division is necessary. Such is the case… Read More »Liturgy as an appropriate unifier
Psalmody and Hymnody as appropriate unifiers
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been showing how particular issues related to worship theology and practice–namely, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the… Read More »Psalmody and Hymnody as appropriate unifiers
Tozer’s First Concern – Illumination
It would be easy – or more precisely, lazy – to dismiss Tozer’s concern with the doctrine of illumination 1 as a form of flakey… Read More »Tozer’s First Concern – Illumination
The regulative principle as an important doctrinal distinctive
Over the past few weeks I have been showing how various aspects of worship theology and practice have necessarily divided orthodox Christians into separate denominations.… Read More »The regulative principle as an important doctrinal distinctive
Baptism as an important doctrinal distinctive
Last week I showed how views concerning the Lord’s Supper constitute an important doctrinal distinctive that lead to the creation of various denominations during and… Read More »Baptism as an important doctrinal distinctive
The Lord’s Table as an important doctrinal distinctive
Last week I began a series in which I will show the relationship between worship theology/practice and doctrinal distinctives. I plan to show how some… Read More »The Lord’s Table as an important doctrinal distinctive
Worship and doctrinal disctinctives
The watering down of doctrine in evangelicalism, evidenced perhaps most acutely in the minimizing of important denominational distinctives and the growth of the “Nones,” is… Read More »Worship and doctrinal disctinctives
Today is why Christmas is on December 25
Have you ever wondered Christians celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ on December 25? A common answer is that Emperor Constantine decided to celebrate Christmas… Read More »Today is why Christmas is on December 25
Ashes, ashes, we all fall down
In many Christian traditions today is Ash Wednesday, beginning the season of Lent. Over the past several years, there has been an increasing interest in… Read More »Ashes, ashes, we all fall down
There hasn’t always been contemporary worship music
I’ve heard it said many times, often by people I love and respect: “Christians have always used contemporary music in their worship.” Or, it might… Read More »There hasn’t always been contemporary worship music
Why I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection
The affections of our hearts are central to true worship. Yet while praise, joy, contrition, and love are all important affections for worship, I believe… Read More »Why I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection
My Paper from ETS – Practice Makes Perfect: How Corporate Worship Shapes Disciples
Last week I was able to read a paper at the national meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Atlanta. I had a good crowd… Read More »My Paper from ETS – Practice Makes Perfect: How Corporate Worship Shapes Disciples
Paul, Plato, and Calvin on Music
In 1 Corinthians 14:7-8, Paul says, ”If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know… Read More »Paul, Plato, and Calvin on Music
How important is the style of music a church sings?
I read a post yesterday from a blog of a popular ministry that attempted to answer a question from a reader: “How important is the… Read More »How important is the style of music a church sings?
Knowledge Without Skill
Both of my children take Suzuki strings lessons, Caleb on cello and Kate on violin. Part of the Suzuki philosophy (which happens to match perfectly… Read More »Knowledge Without Skill
“Who Can Be Saved?”
A couple of Sundays ago our church closed with a hymn I wrote as a response to the text we studied that morning. The passage… Read More »“Who Can Be Saved?”
You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way
Deuteronomy 12:2–7 reveals important principles regarding the way God desires to be worshiped and, specifically, the relationship between the biblical way to worship and the ways… Read More »You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way
Stop inviting God to your worship
We hear it all the time in corporate worship services: “God, we invite you to come as we worship you.” “God, fill this place as… Read More »Stop inviting God to your worship
Worshipers Against Pure Worship
Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the Lord God of Israel,… Read More »Worshipers Against Pure Worship