[continuing on from my previous reflections here, here and here]
As stated in the preious reflection, I would like to go on with the topic of worship during Metamorphosis.
Now, with regards to worship, I think I must first put it forth plainly that I have charismatic influences, as I have shared it in my previous post. That, however, does not mean that I am necessarily pro-CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) or anti-CCM because of my various experiences (I am a CCM-trained musician and worship leader, btw).
In this, I would not be posting an extensive study on the propriety, or lack thereof, of utilizing CCM in worship services. This is at the moment something which I feel is out of my league. However, I do want to make a couple of points here.
First of all, I think most of conservative Christianity needs to evalute what it calls worship. It is no point worshipping Christ if the words are not even understood. For instance, I visited a church which sings only Psalms in the KJV before, and I might as well be speaking in a different tongue; I can't understand half of what I am singing. What is the point of worshipping God with lyrics so archaic that I cannot understand half of what I am singing? Secondly, when you sing, can the song connect with what you believe and what you desire? In other words, can you worship God with that particular psalm/hymn/song? This is not only limited to conservative Christianity by the way. For the more charismatic-leaning Christians, what's the point of singing songs to dedicate your life to God, to surrender to Him, when you don't mean even a word of what you have just sung? Aren't you just being hypocritical by doing so? Also, for those who use CCM, what's the point of worshipping God? Is it meant to make you feel good; to give you an emotional high? Are you making the worship service into one gigantic rock concert for you to worship yourself? Think about it.
Anyway, yes, CCM was used extensively throughout the Metamorphosis Student Conference (Anyway, they know nothing else). As for me, I have nothing against using CCM in worship in general provided the lyrics are biblical and they are used properly; i.e. no extra sound and light effects, dancing, showing off of musical talents etc. Certainly, there is a place for dancing, but not in coporate worship, which is subjected to the regulative principle found in Scripture.
Speaking of the regulative principle, the regulative principle basically states that worship is to be practised according to principles found in the Scripture and nothing else. In other words, worship is to be only according to what is prescribed and not directed according to what is disallowed. For me, I see the principles primarily as found in Jn. 4:23-24, among others. Therefore, as long as something does not violates those principles, it is OK. As such, I do not think that CCM by default violates the regulative principle of worship, as long as it obeys those principles it is OK.
Feel free to comment.
16 comments:
Before you sit on the fence regarding the "worship" issue, I would suggest a more sober-minded reassessment of it.
Hi Daniel
I have been reading your blog for some time. I was at the Metamorphosis Conference too and We were actually in the same class-Christology! But I couldnt recognise you so we didnt have a chance to talk about some of the things mentioned in your blog.
The principle of worshipping in spirit and in truth should always be followed closely. However,I do not agree that dancing cannot be used for corporate worship. Look at Exodus 15:20
Why should there not be extra sound and light and dancing and displaying of musical talents when we worship? When people dance, they are not showing off but really using their God-given talents to glorify Him. And I think Psalms 150 describes very well how we should praise God! You can worship him in spirit and in truth with CCM too!!!
Eh... No, I am not taking this issue flippiantly, but at the moment I am not reading and studying up on the issue. You do know that worship is a complex topic based on your stand on other areas of theology, right? When I have my basics more or less firm, I will delve deeper into these type of issues.
Hello eh.... Anonymous,
I would appreciate if you would be identify yourself; like to know who my brother- or sister- in Christ is. =P Oh, if it would help, I was the one who asked Amy regarding the term 'son of David' (small s) versus the term 'Son of David' (big S). Anyway, eh yes, I do know the argument you put forth, and I also know the countering argument. So, it gets a bit complicated ...
As for me, the reason why I think that dancing should not be allowed in corporate worship is because of the regulative principle, and the place dancing has in the worship of the Israelites. I cannot at the moment find the verses I need to back up what I am saying, as I am still slowly reading up and thinking over the issue, but it seems to me that there are three different types of worship 'experiences' in the life of the Israelites; solemn corporate worship, personal worship and celebratory worship (OK, perhaps may not be the correct terms). Corporate worship is for God alone and is meant to glorify God, and as such is analogous to the 'solemn worship' experience that Israel 'experiences' when the Priest (High priest?) stood before God to offer up the annual sacrifices(?). This is just off the cuff, so I may be wrong in certain places. Anyway, if such an analogy is correct, then yes, dancing and a whole list of 'additions' should not be done during corporate worship.
With regards to Ps. 150, Ps. 150 is talking about what I would termed 'celebratory worship'. So yes, I do not see any problem with someone dancing before the Lord individually or during 'celebratory worship'. Similarly, a lot of other lighting effects etc. cold possibly be done during such 'celebratory worship'.
I was trying to stay on the fence for the CCM issue, though of course leaning towards its use in corporate worship, which Jenson noted, so I don't see where I mentioned that you can't worship God using CCM in spirit and in truth.
Hi,
The use of dance was sanctioned in the Old Testament days as Israel was not only an assembly (called out people - church) but also a state/nation. They had civic celebrations which God had allowed, but these celebrations were performed everywhere BUT the Tabernacle, where God was worshipped - with all the sacrifices, plus "visual aids" for the coming Lord Jesus Christ.
When the Lord said "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth..." (John 4), He signified that true believers of the Almighty will be distinguished from the mixed bunch that the nation/state of Israel had in the OT times - reverence, seriousness and gratitude will still be their hallmarks for what the Lord had done on Calvary.
The lightheartedness of CCM or any modern worship should not be allowed during the corporate worship of God. Practically most "religions" recognise the "sacredness" of "worship", how is it that Christians today do not?
Hello Jenson,
just a question to ask you: How do you prove that what Jesus meant in Jn 4 refers to the abolishment of all but the corporate worship in the church?
Has anyone NOT read Peter Masters' "Worship in the melting pot"?
This is a good primer on the subject of worship, in contrast to books offering more indepth discussions of OT and NT worship from an exegetical perspective (i.e. Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16 etc).
It is available online at:
http://www.the-highway.com/worshipTOC_Masters.html
Masters approached the matter from a slightly different angle. Rather than discussing the regulative principle (which is essential), he emphasized the importance of reverence in worship, and the character of God Himself.
Quoting Masters, "If we give new worship the smallest foothold it will ruin the highest activity entrusted to us — the reverent, intelligent and joyful offering of spiritual praise. Those who begin by singing one new worship song at every service, will soon be singing two, then three, then adding the band, and so on. It is very noticeable that wherever new worship has been embraced by evangelicals, a perceptible loss of reverence, coupled with worldliness and shallowness, has set in. It is obvious from the experience of many churches that new worship brings in wood, hay and stubble, and steals away the power and glory of true praise."
Jenson,
you said 'He signified that true believers of the Almighty will be distinguished from the mixed bunch that the nation/state of Israel had in the OT times'. So what I was asking you is: why does only the solemn, corporate worship of Israel carries over in the church while the others have ceased?
Vincent:
thanks for the link. Is that the whole book? I will read it and think over the matter.
By the way, the book "Worship in the Melting Pot" was the culmulation of material that Peter Masters had accumulated over the years.
It is currently available as a book (148pgs), CD, and DVD.
Great quote Vincent. Far too many Reformed folk have given in to the modern worship - in fact, here in UK, the revision of old hymnbooks and the introduction of new ones with all the modern songs in it has caused great trouble amongst the churches. Problem is, no one seemed bothered to raise the alarm.
Jenson,
the reason why I ask the question is because the modern apologist for hymns- and psalms- only seem to be disregarding passages like Ps. 150 as prescribing how we worship God. Also, there are passages in the OT on praise/worship that are not linked to the solemn tabernacle corporate worship (i.e. David's dancing). Since it happened in the OT, and there IS continuance between the OT Church in Israel and the NT Church, I would like to know why all worship in the present age must be restricted to the corporate worship only. This is something I still can't figure out.
Jenson,
by Peter Master's book, can I assume you mean his book entitled Worship in the melting pot? That would be good to read up.
With regards to my question, you replied :
"What is retained and what is done away at the Lord's first coming?"
However, my question is where is the proof for this presuppostion? Is anything done away at the Lord's first coming at all, in the first place?
"all mainline churches knew worship was sacred, not worldly."
"What is the OT worship?"
I thought after I have posted regarding my view of worship in the OT being of three different aspects, you would know where I was coming from? I am not talking about corporate worship; I am enquiring regarding non-corporate worship. And I DO dispute your assessment that ALL CCM music are worldly.
Jenson,
is the issue I am enquiring about discussed in Peter Master's book? Because if it is not, then your answer has just as much help as 'Read the Bible' Also, regarding the statement
"And I DO dispute your assessment that ALL CCM music are worldly."
You do know that the statement that 'all CCM music is wordly' is a universal negative statement, don't you? How do you go about proving a universal negative statement, unless you can tell me that you have listened to ALL the CCM there exists (not only the popular ones) and have found them ALL wanting?
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