We were having an interesting discussion about the WHI show on “happy-clappy” worship. One of the things for which I have been “banging the drum” is the need for contemporary settings of the Psalms. I love the Book of Psalms for Singing. . . . Continue reading →
Reforming Worship
Review of Clowney's "Ten Commandments"
By Howard Sloan. He notes that Ed was a bit more tolerant on the 2nd commandment than the Reformed confessions. In view of the constant pressure presented to the Reformed confession of the 2nd commandment by evangelicals and others, it’s well to . . . Continue reading →
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 →
Why Don't We Sing the Psalms?
Bits of Calvin at Adiaphora.
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.
Why Sing Psalms?
WSC grad and newly-minted URC pastor Brian Cochran explains. More here.
Calvin's Plan for Recovering Psalmody in Our Time
Wes describes the discovery of a very interesting Genevan practice that we might well adopt.
Neo-Baalism: Experience-Driven Worship
James Oord summarizes a provocative passage from Eugene Peterson about worship: Peterson points out that experience-driven worship was the hallmark of Baalism, the religion of the Canaanites in the Old Testament era. Their entire worship structure was focused on catering to emotions. . . . Continue reading →
Deliver Me From the Wild Dogs
Michael Kearney writes: “The vivid image of howling, prowling dogs, occurring not once but twice in Psalm 59, is completely omitted from the text, as are the references to the “swords in their lips” (v. 7) and “the sin of their mouths” (v. 12).” Continue reading →
Clarkson: Public Worship To Be Preferred Before Private
“The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.”—Ps 87:2 THAT we may apprehend the meaning of these words, and so thereupon raise some edifying observation, we must inquire into the reason why the Lord is said . . . Continue reading →
A Plan For Reforming Worship
Let’s say that a pastor decided that he wanted to reform the worship services of his congregation toward the earlier Reformed pattern of singing God’s Word without musical instruments. How would he go about it? Though we’re working with a concrete example, . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On Instruments: Not Given For Us To Imitate
Concerning his use of musical instruments, David is not the example given for us to imitate according to Calvin. Rather, in the Reformer’s interpretation, David uses the harp in bringing praise to theLord as an additional typological aspect to worship in the . . . Continue reading →
Prelacy And Its Train Extirpated
We cannot but admire the good hand of God in the great things done here already, particularly that the Covenant (the foundation of the whole work) is taken; Prelacy and the whole train thereof extirpated; the Service-book in many places forsaken; plain . . . Continue reading →
Look Ma No Instruments! Psalm 85 Set To Ebeneezer
(HT: Chortles Weakly)
Some Anglican Practices To Which The English Reformed Objected In 1603
In the Church service: that the cross in baptism, interrogatories ministered to infants, confirmation, as superfluous, may be taken away; baptism not to be ministered by women, and so explained; the cap and surplice not urged; that examination may go before the . . . Continue reading →
Who May Read Scripture To The Congregation In Public Worship?
Reading the Word of God publicly to the congregation is the duty of those especially called as ministers of the Word.” …Reading the Scriptures ‘publicly to the congregation’ is a part of conducting the public worship of God, and therefore it is . . . Continue reading →
Help Les Make A Film About Worship
Les Lanphere is the filmmaker who gave us CALVINIST. Les and Tanner host the Reformed Pubcast. He is working on a new film on a most important topic: worship. Continue reading →
Singing In Acts 16:25 And Plausibility Structures
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 →
Reconsidering The Offering As An Element Of Worship After Covid
Introduction: The Hypothesis Tested Way back in 2008 I asked the question whether the offering is an element or a circumstance of worship or neither? I argued that the offering is neither an element nor a circumstance and thus raised the question . . . Continue reading →
Saturday Psalm Series: Keith Getty’s Critique Of Contemporary Worship Music Is A Step In The Right Direction
In 2008, Mike Horton called attention to the phenomenon of a radically subjective turn in American evangelicalism, in Christless Christianity. Unfortunately, a single book diagnosing the deep sickness of American evangelical Christianity was not enough to turn the tide. In that volume, Mike . . . Continue reading →