Secular Culture
In blog posts over the last several weeks, I have been trying to help us understand what kinds of influences and values have converged to… Read More »Secular Culture
emotion
Emotion
Perhaps few words are as mangled as the word emotion. In this word is a cacophony of confusion. For some, emotion is nothing more than… Read More »Emotion
As Real As I Feel
An assumption of a generation intoxicated with authenticity is the notion that feelings don’t lie. Given their spontaneous and often uncontrollable nature, emotions are seen… Read More »As Real As I Feel
Afraid of Emotion in Worship?
Roger Olson asks, “Why are we afraid of emotion in worship?” The short answer is that we–as in we at Religious Affections Ministries–aren’t. Not in… Read More »Afraid of Emotion in Worship?
Are emotions universal?
This is a fascinating article in many ways. It traces the scientific debate concerning what, exactly, emotions are and whether they are universal or not.… Read More »Are emotions universal?
Victoria Osteen and the Evangelical confusion about Christian happiness
You’ve very likely seen this now viral video clip of Victoria Osteen proudly proclaiming that when we worship God, we’re not doing it for him,… Read More »Victoria Osteen and the Evangelical confusion about Christian happiness
How corporate worship is and is not like a baseball game
Yesterday I attended a baseball game with my family, and I found myself pondering again a comparison I’ve often heard made by preachers between corporate… Read More »How corporate worship is and is not like a baseball game
Meaning in Music
Meaning in music is a tricky thing. Most people think it’s tricky because music is so abstract and lacks specificity such that describing its meaning… Read More »Meaning in Music
Congratulations to Ryan Martin
Ryan Martin, regular contributor to Religious Affections Ministries, has successfully defended his dissertation. His Ph.D. will be conferred officially on May 11, but (for what… Read More »Congratulations to Ryan Martin
Worship that Cannot Be Touched
Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have always been tempted to follow after more physical, more sensory forms of worship because of a misunderstanding… Read More »Worship that Cannot Be Touched
Two Roads Diverged
The dethroning of the Church by Reason and the creation of pop culture left the Church in an awkward position. Its cultural influence was non-existent.… Read More »Two Roads Diverged
Medieval Hymns
When Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 with the Edict of Milan, and Christianity soon became the religion of the entire empire, the cultural conditions… Read More »Medieval Hymns
Musical Form in Christian Hymnody
Musical form shapes content in very similar ways to poetic form, yet it is a bit more abstract and thus considerably more difficult to readily… Read More »Musical Form in Christian Hymnody
The Purpose and Power of Christian Hymnody
Last time we observed the fact that we sing because the Bible commands us to sing. But let’s get a little bit deeper than simply… Read More »The Purpose and Power of Christian Hymnody
A Theological Basis of Conservatism, Part 6
In this series, we are establishing a theological foundation for conservatism, specifically the objective nature of aesthetic judgments. See part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here,… Read More »A Theological Basis of Conservatism, Part 6
A Theological Basis of Conservatism, Part 1
Characteristic of our age is the wholehearted embrace of relativisms; I speak of relativisms (in the plural) because we can consider relativism from several (interrelated)… Read More »A Theological Basis of Conservatism, Part 1
How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Part 6
How can we conserve biblical worship? We can conserve biblical worship by regulating our worship by God’s Word, by learning to distinguish between ordinate affection… Read More »How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Part 6
How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Part 3
Conservative Christians will be committed to worship forms that foster ordinate affection toward God. Commitment to the Regulative Principles of Worship solves the question of… Read More »How Can We Conserve Biblical Worship? Part 3
Can Rap be Christian? Evaluating Hip Hop
Today we finally arrive at a discussion of the nature of rap itself. This post will be beneficial for you, however, only if you accept… Read More »Can Rap be Christian? Evaluating Hip Hop
Is worship like riding a roller coaster?
Joy. What exactly is joy? I can say that I experienced the emotion of joy while riding a roller coaster. It’s this thrilling enthusiasm that… Read More »Is worship like riding a roller coaster?