Several people have forwarded various news stories from the UK regarding the possibility that the Free Church of Scotland may decide at GA this summer to permit the playing of musical instruments and the singing of uninspired, non-canonical songs in worship. It . . . Continue reading →
Reforming Worship
Who Says the Evangelicals Don't Have a Liturgy?
Who says Charles Finney is dead? Thanks to Brad Kelley for the link.
Traditionalists and Willow Creekers: Really the Same Thing
Zrim gets it. The regulative principle (=the second commandment + sola scriptura) is neither “progressive” nor “conservative” but radical.
Calvin's Plan for Recovering Psalmody in Our Time
Wes describes the discovery of a very interesting Genevan practice that we might well adopt.
Why Sing Psalms?
WSC grad and newly-minted URC pastor Brian Cochran explains. More here.
On P&R Churches and "Holy Days"
Andy Webb has a very helpful post on this topic. Darryl Hart asks when Presbyterians became Adventists? With the help of Leigh Eric Schmidt makes some very interesting and important points about the way commercial interests coincided with the interests of revivalist . . . Continue reading →
Calvin on Psalm Singing in Worship
As for public prayers, there are two kinds: the one consists simply of speech, the other of song…And indeed, we know from experience that singing has great strength and power to move and to set on fire the hearts of men in . . . Continue reading →
But If We Don't Do it We'll Lose Them…
As Wes Bredenhof explains it’s an old temptation faced by pastors every day.
Has the Experiment Succeeded?
Not according to Bob Godfrey (HT: Brenden): “One obvious effect of psalm-singing was that Reformed worshipers had the psalms well planted in their minds and hearts. If we should hide God’s Word in our hearts that we might not sin against him . . . Continue reading →
Kuyper: The Minister Serves the Church
Shane explains at RR. You can get your copy of Kuyper on worship at The Bookstore at WSC.
Kuyper on Worship
When folk call themselves “Kuyperian” they aren’t usually referring to his views on worship. See also this related post by Danny Hyde on Ames regarding the#mce_temp_url#.
Shane is Reading Ames
On worship. You can get your own copy of the first volume of the CRT series by clicking on the image to the left.
Sabbath Audio: On the Song of Solomon and Worship
These are two distinct interviews done by Nick Batzig at the Twin Lakes Fellowship. The first is with Iain Campbell on the Song of Solomon. The second is with Jon Payne on Reformed worship. Good, edifying, Sabbath listening.
9Marks on Multi-Site Churches
In the latest 9Marks Journal. This is an issue in Presbyterian and Reformed Churches and worth thinking about carefully. RELATED POSTS This episode of the Heidelcast addresses the question of multi-site churches. Darryl Hart offers some critiques of the MS movement here.
It's Not Too Late
To begin singing God’s Word again. That’s what Kevin says. As thankful as I am for his encouragement on this front his post raises some questions.
Semper Reformanda
The Latin phrase “semper Reformanda” (from “ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda,” i.e. “the church Reformed and always reforming”) )was not intended to mean nor does it mean, “always evolving.” The phrase has been hijacked and abused thus but abuse doth not a definition . . . Continue reading →
Could Instruments Be Idols?
re-posted from May 2007. In light of the discussion prompted by the brief snippet from Calvin on instruments this seems appropriate. — Friday, in the Medieval-Reformation course I gave a lecture on Calvin’s doctrine of worship during which a student asked about . . . Continue reading →
Calvin: People Have Never Liked The Regulative Principle Of Worship
I know how difficult it is to persuade the world that God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by His Word. The opposite persuasion which cleaves to them, being seated, as it were, in their very bones and marrow, is, . . . Continue reading →
Shane is Reading Ames
On worship. You can get your own copy of the first volume of the CRT series by clicking on the image to the left.
It Makes Him Uncomfortable But In a Good Way
Nick has read chapter 7 of RRC on worship. His survey of the chapter made me laugh out loud—I had to think for a while about “spit the dummy”—and I wrote the chapter! Of course, the author hopes you’ll read the chapter . . . Continue reading →