Biblical Worship|
Draft 11/06 This section will not make much sense unless one daily goes through the Spirit refilling, as explained in the above button on the left. Some early reformers called this Daily Conversion or at least Rededication. As such we are in personal worship to God, giving our lives over to Him and His plan for our day and life. THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE, CORRECT, AND THE TRUE CODE OF CONDUCT It may be helpful here to establish further reliability of the Bible-- in that some current books are questioning whether the books in the Bible were the best selections of manuscripts for God’s Word. The Da Vinci Code suggests, albeit in novel form, that the Gnostic books should have been used rather than the 66 that were chosen. However, Dr. Erwin Lutzer in his book The Da Vinci Deception relates correctly that most of the other books had been carefully evaluated and not included by the leading theologians. Jesus himself honored many of the OT books. Paul quoted many OT books in his book of Romans. Peter, who at times had differences with Paul, yet he wrote “…Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which they that are ignorant…wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction” I Pet 3:16. Irenaeus (ca 180) in his Against Heresy revealed the considerable problems with the Gnostic writings. No pope, Constantine, or a single person or Council decided which books to include. Eusebius working with the Council of Nicea (ca 325) oversaw for Constantine the publication of 50 Bibles. Jerome, a scholar who wrote Commentaries on many NT and OT writings including all of the OT prophets. Jerome was secretary to the pope, counseled with many around the Mediterranen and into Syria, Israel, and Egypt. He concurred with Athanasius of Alexandria (ca 368) on the canon and Jerome included in his Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible the 27 books which approximate our NT. After further reviews over a further millennium, the Reformers and the Roman Catholic Council of Trent (ca 1563) were satisfied that Christendom had the Holy Bible with all the reliable writings.. After another 400 years, we were grateful for Dead Sea Scrolls, which further attested to the authenticity of passages of all the OT books except Esther. Recently, a prominent Emergent-leaning megachurch pastor, Rob. Bell seems to question the use as well as the completeness of the Bible for in his Velvet Elvis, 2005, he wrote that of the “Canon, [there is] no uniform agreement, [except for the RCs with Trent]”, p 186. He states, to quote “a few lines of Jesus…and drop them down on someone [now] without entering the world [then] is lethal to…the truth of the Bible” p. 63. “…sometimes when I hear people quote the Bible, I just want to throw up.” Such statements may give fodder for those who want to reject the Bible statements without discussion. While we should be careful how we use the Bible verses—they need context, to only quote it at the times when we can explain context fully limits its helpful use. Even the NT often quotes snippets of OT verses, e.g., Rom 1:17, 2:6, 2:24. Of course the NT writers and many readers knew the background of the OT verses, but they did not write much of the previous context. We often do not treat the Bible with the respect and considerations it should have. While we should not engage in Bibliolatry, Brian McLaren who is a principal advocate of the Emergent Church Movement/ECM hints that we misrepresent the Bible by 4 left-hand compliments we give it. He co-authored with Tony Campolo, Adventures in Missing the Point: how the culture-controlled church neutered the gospel and states (p. 70-71) that we were wrong when : 3. We presented the biblical propositions in the abstract which post (and pre) modern people find not useful McLaren rightly calls us to take a fresh look at Scripture and the Settings—then and now. To see the characters in their culture, to feel their faith. But we stop short of investigating as he would have us of exploring “other sacred texts from other religions. … What similarities and differences can be found?” p. 74. We should as he suggests, look for the Big Story of our purpose as people rather than only assurance of heaven and being nice here. The Bible is more than an Q & A; it is A & Q. Jesus often answers with a question! But even Campolo disagrees with McLaren on some propositions (p 83)and seemingly affirms that “no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation …(2Pet 1:20,21). Our personal and congregational WORSHIP OF GOD is the most important “duty” in our life. It is part of our “…reasonable service/latreean” (Rom. 12:1). It is the reason that He created us—to love, serve and fellowship with Him the way He wants. Two crucial truths are seldom embraced: 1) What He wants is often far from what we might think He wants. Similarly, our neighbor/friend might not want to be loved as we like to be loved. E.g. we might like our shoulders rubbed, but our friend might not like that. So we need to love him and God the way they want to be loved. . So part of loving is to find out what our God and our neighbor likes and then do that with enthusiasm—even when we do not understand it, prefer it for ourselves, or initially even wish to participate in it. 2) We do not understand why God wants worship and adoration so much. In human terms it might seem selfish of Him—if we do not consider what He sacrificed so that we could live in joy forever. The Father “gave His ONLY Son…” (John 3:16) ; the Son WANTS to do “not My own will but the will of Him/Father that sent Me” (John 6:38), the Holy Spirit does the brunt of the continuing work, wooing us to Christ. Christ said the Spirit “will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26), and dispense the Spirit’s fruit and gifts. God is God and He can want and even force us to do anything He wishes. Or, if you prefer, make the circumstances so overwhelming that we will choose what He want. Remember what happened to Jonah, Paul (Acts 9), and Peter (Acts 10). And to many others. Perhaps God wants us to forcus on and adore Him so that we would not place our adoration on ourselves, others or things and thus “… worship the creation rather than the Creator—who is to be praised forever, Amen” (Rom 1:25). God could just program us to love Him exactly as He wanted [robots], but some of what God desires from us is understood when we see children completely devoted to their parents. The children visit them often, honor them above all others by their words and deeds, do what they wish even if the child wants to do something else, would give their life for the parents, and even after they are married they feel honored to care for them in their own home. Elsewhere in this site, we talk about what God wants from us biblically. First and total love and keeping His commandments (Ex 20:6; repeated in the NT). Such love is structured on devotion and duty, which is the spine of love. But true love also has emotion, though at times it is not passionate. Unless we worship in our private life by telling and showing God and other frequently how much we love Him (and them), singing of Him (shower is fine), kneeling to Him (unless the limbs are too stiff), it is unlikely that our Sunday worship service will be fully authentic or uplifting for Him or us. We pray for that closeness to God. While Orthodox Jews usually believe that studying the Torah or Bible is the highest form of worship, we think that joyfully listening to Him (through the Word and impressions He makes) and carrying thru is that highest form. Such a Quiet Time in the morning, evening, and minutes thru the day is the most beneficial. We often fail in that followthru. Thank you for forgiveness, Lord. WESTERN CHURCH IS DYING "The so-called traditional churches look like they are dying," the Pope said, according to a text published by Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano, July 2005. While the Pope is not our Protestant spiritual leader (for a number of reasons), he is a respected scholar and spokesman for what is happening in Christendom. “Participation at Sunday Mass in some developed countries was as low as 5 percent, a recent Vatican report said. A combination of an increasingly secular mentality and the lure of more simplistic sects was challenging the relevance of the Church, especially in Europe, Australia and, to a lesser extent, the United States, the 78-year-old Pope said. "The Catholic Church is not doing as badly as the big Protestant Churches but naturally it shares the problem of this moment in history." The Pope blamed a change in social attitudes in the 1960s for the Church's decline in the West, referring to what he termed a "second enlightenment" of 1968, the year of the so-called 'summer of love' and student and worker protests. There was no easy solution for the Church, he said, but people needed to see that they could not turn away from God. "There's no system for a rapid change. We need to get through this tunnel with patience in the certainty that Christ is the answer and, in the end, he will shine his light once again." The Pope also spoke of the challenge of his Sept 2006 reported remarks (translations are not always accurate) – that the teachings of Muhammad were deemed ~ “evil and inhuman [particularly]…his command to spreadby the sword the faith.” The Vatican apology-lite -- “if it sounded offensive” and that the RC church “esteems Muslims” seems insincere and backward steps in evaluating the violent outbursts of Islam. Representatives of His Church tend to overlook the violent teachings of the Koran and try to engage in interfaith activities. The Palestinian bombings of 5 churches and other violence that ensued over the Pope’s earlier remarks gives some indication of the truth of Islam. GRAVEN/CRAVEN IMAGES OF GOD ARE OFTEN PERMITTED. Much of the church does not include separately as one of the 10 Commandments –“You shall not make for yourself “fesel vcal timunah”/ idols or any images/forms of that in heavens ….” (Ex 20, Dt 5). The Jews, Roman Catholics, and Lutherans do not have that as a separate Commandment. That makes it hard to agree on which 10 to post or engrave for the public. Some combine this 2nd Commandment with 1 or 3, but we can note that icons, statutes, paintings, and pictures of God often appear. Even the Cross or holy hardware and furniture can draw us away from the real Christ. Humans are created in His image and are the objects to radiate His kindness, love, and mercy. A few wonderful gleanings about WORSHIP from Tom Tenny relative to his religious book and movie A Night with the King gives these perspectives: IMPORTANT CHURCH CHRISTIAN FUNCTIONS are indirectly a part of worship, and are a means of providing for God’s creatures and often His children. The end of Matt. 25 gives 6 of at least 15 basic duties including teaching, evangelizing, peacemaker, counselor, assister, encourager, …. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially those of the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10). Each congregation, which is a group of about 10 or more persons does not have to provide all of the church functions: prison ministry, homeless shelters, sex education, young peoples group, camp opportunities, etc., but small churches especially should be joined with others in the area.. Though they are not worship per se unless done in “His Name,” these function are vital to God and provide comfort and assist in personal needs of its members and the world. See end of Mt 25. The Worship of God needs to be biblical, “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), and patterned (allowing for flexibility of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 14::29-33.) after what God has shown, thus pleasing to God, not just what is tradition or pleasing to us. There are many biblical factors of true worship and we also are greatly pleased when churches incorporate them. We list some factors that are often forgotten with the supporting verses from the Bible. Some would say that if a church does not make known and practice most of the following at most of the regular services, it is a dead or dying church even if attendance is large or rising. PRACTICES IN BIBLICAL CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP The congregation should stand when the main passage of the Bible is read (but not just quoting a verse portion). Even Jesus made the Word the foundation and honored the Word by standing when it is read (Lu 4: 14ff; also Neh 8:5) --and we should be taught to do what the Word mandates: bowing and kneeling (Neh 8:6; Ps 95; Eph 3:14; Phlp 2:10), clapping for the Lord and shouting (Ps 47:1), singing “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” -3 types (Col 3:17; Eph 5:19), using a variety of instruments and dancing (Ps 150:2-6; Mt 11:17), recommending "oil...prayer...confess" first for healing (Jms 5:14-16; 2 Chron 16:12-13), speaking “Peace…” as a standard greeting (1 Sam 25:6; Lu 10:5; John 20:19,21), raising our hands in worship and prays (Neh 8:6; Ps 63:3,4; Ps 134:2; 1Tim 2:8), saying Amens (Neh 8; 1Cor 14; Rev 7:12); serving careful communion after reading appropriate Scripture about what it is and who it is for (1Cor 11:20, 27-30), structured teaching of key Scriptures and doctrine (Mt 5:3-10; Mt 28:19,20; Heb 5:7-6:3) and His whole counsel, encouraging all to learn God’s History with man, to repent , and to believe (Jude5-24; 1 Tim 2:1-8; Dt 4:39; Heb 3:7,8) giving testimonies with confessions (Mt 24:14: James 5:16; Rev 12:11) and at times washing “one another’s feet” (John 12:3ff; John 13:14), etc. While the heart is crucial, many feel that they are in a dying church if they do not hear Amens or see biblical worship. There are many other texts. Present Bible knowledge and practice seems woefully lacking in many churches. Please forgive us and motivate us, Lord. The goal is not to please the people with Contemporary or Traditional worship, but to be biblical.to all dimensions. If truly biblical, His people will sooner (hopefully) or later be attracted to Him and His Church, and not be misled in the PR process. Authentic worship should be the usual, not something one finds out about after being a Seeker for years that they have not been given the real thing at the historic Sunday morning service. . Such worship is in His House of Prayer. Some prayer should be lectio divina a quiet, meditative prayer used by early Christians for contemplation of what God wants of us. http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html At the end of that web page is the Conclusion and then a example. It is the seeking of His “still small voice” also noted in Ps 46:10. We also should invite God to speak to us day and night: “Day to day [He] will utter speech and night to night will show knowledge” (Ps 19:3). He does but He likes to be invited into our lives, as we enjoy being invited into other’s lives.. Pictures below are not from the Bytworks |
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