The musical instruments, however, adopted for the pantomime Mass of Antichrist, together with images, we have whore. There is no use for them in the church, and indeed they are marks and occasions of idolatry. Continue reading →
Rule of Worship
Hungarian Reformed Churches: Instruments Are Shadows
Now that Christ has come, and together with the ancient priesthood and sacrifice and the representation appertaining to the Law, the use of instruments in churches has vanished like a shadow…There is not so much as a reference to the organ in the New Testament, nor of its introduction into the purer church; but it was only introduced in the theatrical masses, as if in obscene sport, by immoral priests to make clowns cut capers. Continue reading →
Considering Context Leads To Singing Psalms In New Testament Praise And Worship
Context inevitably colors how we understand texts. It shapes our assumptions about what about what is possible and plausible. I see this in Patristics (the study of the early Christian church). As a confessional Reformed Christian with connections to Reformed orthodoxy, as . . . Continue reading →
Ken’s Doxology: A Subversion Of The Psalter?
… it was always his desire that Christians be allowed to express their praise to God without being limited only to Psalmody and to the Bible canticles. Continue reading →
Musical Instruments In Public Worship Are Among The Legal Ceremonies
…musical instruments were among the legal ceremonies which Christ at His coming abolished; and therefore we, under the Gospel, must maintain a greater simplicity (John Calvin, Commentary Exodus 15:21) Continue reading →
The Ceremonies, Shadows, And Symbols Abolished
We believe that the ceremonies and figures of the law ceased at the coming of Christ, and that all the shadows are accomplished are accomplished; so that the use of them must be abolished among Christians: yet the truth and substance of . . . Continue reading →
Reformed Psalmody Distinct From Hymnody
As over against this Hymnody, whether of the Latin Church or the Hussites or Lutherans, the distinction of the Calvinistic Psalmody lay not in its form but in its authorship and subject- matter. The Hymn was a religious lyric freely composed within . . . Continue reading →
Your Honor, The Prosecution Rests
“Like a sloppy wet kiss” Continue reading →
The Whole Manner Of Worship
For since the whole manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an Apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures Continue reading →
New Genevan Psalter (Updated)
The Canadian Reformed Churches have just published the New Genevan Psalter. I purchased a copy. It seems to be well done. There is an interesting, brief introduction by George van Popta, General Editor as well as some brief notes on the Genevan . . . Continue reading →
Moses Hid His Face
Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, . . . Continue reading →
Each One Has A Psalm
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm (ψαλμὸν), an instructiion (διδαχὴν), a revelation (ἀποκάλυψιν), a foreign language (γλῶσσαν), or an interpretation (ἑρμηνείαν). Let all things be done for building up….. —1 Corinthians 14:26
What Do We Know About New Testament Worship?
What do we know they did in their Christian worship services in the Bible? We know they sang the Bible. We know that preached the Bible. We know they prayed the Bible. We know they read the Bible. We know they saw . . . Continue reading →
Not Creativity But Fidelity
The Rev. Mr. Leon Brown is pastor of Crown and Joy PCA in South Richmond, VA. It’s a short clip but it might take a moment to load. Here’s the complete sermon.
Does The RPW = Homogeneity?
In July, 2013 Trip Lee published a provocative essay, to which I was just pointed via Twitter. The original piece has been removed but a remnant remains at the Aquila Report. My intent here is not to engage the piece at length . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 80: God’s Holy Law (4)—The Second Commandment
All the commandments are challenging to us sinners. In the first commandment we saw that God will not share his glory with another. In the 2nd commandment we read and hear that we must worship the true God truly. We do not . . . Continue reading →
Look Ma No Instruments! Psalm 85 Set To Ebeneezer
(HT: Chortles Weakly)
Circumstances And Indifferent Until We Say No
THAT OUR OPPOSITES DO URGE THE CEREMONIES AS THINGS NECESSARY. This I prove, 1. from their practice. 2. from their pleading. In their practice, who sees not, that they would tie the people of God to a necessity of submitting their necks . . . Continue reading →
Owen: We Are Endowed With Liberty By Christ And His Apostles
Thus far, then, is the liberty given by Christ unto his church preserved entire; and the request seems not immodest that is made for the continuance of it. When men cry to God for the liberty in his worship which was left . . . Continue reading →
There Is No Worship That Is Accidental
20. That is a most empty distinction which some people make to excuse their additions to worship: “Only corrupting and not conserving additions are forbidden.” For every addition as well as every subtraction is a departure from the observance and keeping of . . . Continue reading →