Rule of Worship

Resources For Recovering Reformed Worship

Resources On Christmas, Advent, And The Church Calendar

by R. Scott Clark on December 3, 2018 | 2 Comments

Christmas, the Advent season in the church calendar, is a part of the culture. Christmas advertisements seem almost to run year round now. It is the one time when it almost seems acceptable (again) to be a Christian. Between the commercial and cultural pressure on one side and the religious impulse on the other, the press to observe Christmas or the Advent season of the church calendar is great. Yet, there are good reasons why members, elders, and laity ought to think critically about Christmas, advent, and the church calendar generally. Continue reading →

Singing In Acts 16:25 And Plausibility Structures

by R. Scott Clark on September 17, 2018 | 10 Comments

In the English Standard Version Acts 16:25 says “[a]bout midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them…”. Several other translations (e.g., NASB, NIV, TEV, ASV, RSV, NLT, NKJV, HCSB) follow this or . . . Continue reading →

Why Foot Washing Is Not A Sacrament

by R. Scott Clark on September 1, 2018 | 5 Comments

Heidelblog reader Randy writes to ask why footwashing (pedilavium) is not regarded as a sacrament. The answer is twofold: 1) from the nature of the sacraments; 2) from the nature and intent of the act of footwashing in the life of our . . . Continue reading →

Does “Sing To Him A New Song” Justify Praise Songs?

by R. Scott Clark on April 30, 2018 | 60 Comments

In response to the video of LCMS Pastor Chris Jackson reading the lyrics of a popular praise song one HB reader wrote to object to the implied criticism of the song. The argument is this: Scripture uses the expression “new song” nine . . . Continue reading →

Thomas Cartwright Contra Lent

by R. Scott Clark on February 21, 2018 | 1 Comment

RHEMI. [ 1. Desert.] As John the Baptist, so our Saviour by going into the desert and there living in contemplation even among brute beasts, and subject to the assaults of the Devil for our sins, gives a warrant and example to . . . Continue reading →

William Whittaker Contra Lent

by R. Scott Clark on February 19, 2018

“But you tell us, why we do so much avoid the Fathers.” I had rather you would tell us why you do so carefully avoid the Scriptures. “For” (say you) “they that cannot away with set times of Fasting, must needs be . . . Continue reading →

Richard Sibbes Contra Lent

by R. Scott Clark on February 16, 2018 | 1 Comment

Some make a mockery of the holy things of God. One part of the year they will be holy; a rotten, foolish affection of people that are popish. In Lent they will use a little austerity, oh! they will please God wondrously! . . . Continue reading →

Christian, Why Do You Sing A Swedenborgian, Social-Gospel, Hymn Written By A Unitarian Minister?

by R. Scott Clark on December 7, 2017 | 31 Comments

“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear” (now typically titled, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”) was first published in 1834. It was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears (1810–76), an Unitarian minister with Swedenborgian convictions. C. Michael Hawn, who teaches sacred music, describes . . . Continue reading →

Ursinus On The Rule Of Worship

by R. Scott Clark on November 25, 2017 | 2 Comments

It must be commanded by God. No creature has the right, or power to institute the worship of God. But good works (we speak of moral good) and the worship of God are the same. Moral good differs widely from natural good, . . . Continue reading →

In Defense Of Synod 1574

by R. Scott Clark on September 23, 2017 | 15 Comments

In the course of research for a couple of purposes (a journal article and a course) I have had opportunity to read the church orders and church laws of the Dutch (Reformed) churches of the 16th and 17th centuries. I have been . . . Continue reading →

Resources On Instruments In Worship

by R. Scott Clark on September 22, 2017

Below are gathered the quotations, posts, and essays from the Heidelblog on the history, theology, and practice of instruments in public worship. Continue reading →