The Free Church of Scotland, by a narrow margin, has voted to allow the introduction of musical instruments and non-inspired songs into its public worship services. As unfortunate as that decision is, if news accounts are to be believed, the grounds for . . . Continue reading →
Regulative Principle
The Origins of the Dialogical Principle
Brandon has a nice passage from J.—D. Benoit.
Deformation or Reformation?
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 →
"Sectarians" v "Relevants" in the PCA and the Strategic Plan
“Nowhere has the disagreements between the “sectarians” and the “relevants” been more evident than in the discussions regarding the Regulative Principle of Worship, women in diaconal ministry, and the cultural mandate of the Church. The Metro New York Presbytery of the PCA, . . . Continue reading →
Happy Birthday to the Heidelberg Catechism
A belated Happy Birthday to the Heidelberg Catechism. On 19 January 1563 (Julian Calendar) the first edition of the catechism was adopted by the Palatinate Church. Though earlier scholarship thought and wrote about the catechism as if it were the product of . . . Continue reading →
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 →
Two-Way Traffic on the Presbyterian Mainline
One of the major reasons I wrote Recovering the Reformed Confession was to call attention to a weird sort of two-way traffic. Some in the Reformed Churches in North America and apparently in Scotland seem ready to abandon the very thing that . . . Continue reading →
More Baseball Analogies: Lent is Like Spring Training?
Darryl has discovered “PCA Conversations“
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 →
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 →
Calvin and the Reform of Worship
I had a “perfect” outline: 7 points. Trouble is, I got through only 3 of them. I didn’t do much better in the Adult Class yesterday morning at Oceanside URC! For what it’s worth, here is the outline from the conference:
The Problems with Paraphrases and Continuing Revelation
My interest here is not so much paraphrastic Bible translations. Though these may not be good for ecclesiastical use (e.g. worship) or close study, like a commentary a paraphrase can put light on a passage or otherwise edify. Rather, my concern here . . . Continue reading →
Can "Worship Songs" Be Saved?
Bob Kauflin is “Director of Worship Development” for Sovereign Grace Ministries. He’s posted a top-ten list of things not to do when writing “worship songs.” (HT: Challies) The points are helpful but, from the point of view of the RPW, from the . . . Continue reading →
Why Don't We Sing the Psalms?
Bits of Calvin at Adiaphora.
Audio: Calvin, Geneva, and Psalmody
An interesting joint talk/lecture by Karin Maag and Paul Fields at the Meeter Center (Calvin Theological Seminary and Calvin College) on Calvin, the Psalms, and the Reformation of worship in Geneva.
Reformed Churches are Scripture-Singing Churches
If your congregation is in a confessional Reformed denomination/federation but it isn’t a Scripture-singing congregation, there’s a problem.
Calvin and Owen on Worship
Mike Brown has it.
A New RPCNA Psalter?
Bill Chellis says it’s in the works. He’s not entirely happy with it and blames those over 45 for an inordinate desire to fit into the spirit of the age. Well, just having turned 47 I would be outraged but I’m too . . . Continue reading →