Irreverent and Culpable
Thus far in this series, we have seen several truths about manners and their relation to worship and worship forms: All cultures have manners. All… Read More »Irreverent and Culpable
Articles
Browse articles on various topics below.
I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow my imaginary argument down!
Straw Men in the Music/Worship Debate One of the most dangerous, yet easy pitfalls one can fall into when discussing music/worship issues is to misrepresent… Read More »I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow my imaginary argument down!
Thoughts on Music not Being a Controversy When It Really is
Several days ago, I watched a posted video of a previously streamed chapel service at an independent Baptist school located in the deep woods of… Read More »Thoughts on Music not Being a Controversy When It Really is
Should differences over music philosophy hinder cooperation between Christians?
Recent kerfuffle over a Christian university changing its philosophy and practice of music has led to much discussion over whether disagreements over music and worship philosophy… Read More »Should differences over music philosophy hinder cooperation between Christians?
Manners and Meaning
What do widely varying manners tell us about ordinate affection? Some reason this way: since some cultures regard eye-contact as respectful, and others regard eye-contact… Read More »Manners and Meaning
The mission of God and the mission of the church
Last week I argued that a biblical understanding of both worship and evangelism will understand evangelism to be subservient to worship; the gospel creates worshipers.… Read More »The mission of God and the mission of the church
Before the Cross
My Lord, my Master, at Thy feet adoring, I see Thee bowed beneath Thy load of woe: For me, a sinner, is Thy life-blood pouring;… Read More »Before the Cross
God’s Mission: Worship
I have attempted in this series to provide a framework for evaluating the relationship between worship and mission. Using Jonathan Edwards’ categories of “Ends” helps… Read More »God’s Mission: Worship
The Strange Silence Around the Third Commandment
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” This command is universally understood to mean that God’s name is not… Read More »The Strange Silence Around the Third Commandment
The Chief End of God and the <i>Missio Dei</i>
Edwards’s discussion of “Ends” presented last week provides a framework for determining both God’s chief end and his mission. Using Edward’s categories, God’s chief end… Read More »The Chief End of God and the <i>Missio Dei</i>
Mind Your Manners: Rude to God
Manners are strange and wonderful things. Every culture has them, and yet they often vary widely between cultures. In Western culture, ‘ladies first’ is a… Read More »Mind Your Manners: Rude to God
Ultimate and Subordinate Ends
There is a lot of talk today about the Missio Dei–the mission of God. God is a sending God, the principle states, and the church–including its… Read More »Ultimate and Subordinate Ends
Concluding Thoughts
As Kaplan concludes, he considers the social functions of popular art. He sees its appeal in finding a common denominator among people. It is popular… Read More »Concluding Thoughts
Why reading the Bible is superior to watching The Bible
In light of the recent popularity of the History Channel series, The Bible, I thought I’d repost an article that I wrote several years ago… Read More »Why reading the Bible is superior to watching The Bible
Bible movie reflections
Did you see The Bible movie produced for the History Channel? I confess to you that, being fully immersed in New Testament studies for going… Read More »Bible movie reflections
Escape To Never Never Land
Popular art is accused of being escapist. Kaplan agrees and disagrees. He argues that popular art seeks to escape the ugliness or troubles of this… Read More »Escape To Never Never Land
Christ removes the shadows to reveal the reality
I have been arguing that the basic building blocks of worship have existed ever since creation, were codified in the Mosaic system, and are actually… Read More »Christ removes the shadows to reveal the reality
Sentimentality and Increasing Boredom
Kaplan disputes the idea that popular art provides relief from boredom. In one very real sense, it perpetuates it. The key difference between serious or… Read More »Sentimentality and Increasing Boredom
Shadows of reality
Last week I suggested that the establishment of the Jewish sacrificial system, tabernacle, and priesthood was a codification of worship elements that had been instituted… Read More »Shadows of reality
Affective Anaesthesia
You can recognize popular art not only through its form (or formlessness), but through the feelings it evokes, according to Kaplan. He disagrees with the… Read More »Affective Anaesthesia