The Reformed churches order their worship services according to the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW) This principle says that we must do only that which God has commanded in his Word. When planning the elements (see below) of a service, the only . . . Continue reading →
regulative principle of worship
What Would Calvin Do?
What to do if one finds oneself in a congregation that didn’t observe consistently the Regulative Principle of Worship (—the short definition: In stated services, the congregation observes only those elements required by God’s Word as prescribed by God’s Word; see Heidelberg . . . Continue reading →
Calvin and Owen on Worship
Mike Brown has it.
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.
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 →
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 →
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:
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 →
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 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 →
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 →
The Origins of the Dialogical Principle
Brandon has a nice passage from J.—D. Benoit.
Calvin On Instruments: "Stupid Imitation"
The musical instruments he mentions pertained to the time of instruction.1 Nor should we stupidly imitate a practice which was proper only for God’s old [covenant] people…. They were for use under the legal cult.2 John Calvin, From his commentary on Ps . . . Continue reading →
Directory Of Publick Worship: Holy Days Have No Warrant In The Word
THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord’s day, which is the Christian Sabbath. Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued. Nevertheless, . . . Continue reading →
Directory for the Publick Worship of God
The Directory FOR The Publick Worship of God CHARLES I. Parl. 3. Sess. 5. An ACT of the PARLIAMENT of the KINGDOM of SCOTLAND, approving and establishing the DIRECTORY for Publick Worship. AT EDINBURGH, February 6, 1645. THE Estates of Parliament now convened, . . . Continue reading →
Sola Scriptura And Public Worship
We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein. For since the whole manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at large, . . . Continue reading →
Is The Organ God’s Gift To Worship?
I’m a big fan of Booker T. Jones (of Booker T and the MGs). What follows, however, isn’t about taste. It’s about principle. So, I was just minding my own business, checking out the usual Monday morning morning flood of social-media, and . . . Continue reading →
Standard Reformed Polemics Against The Use Of Musical Instruments In Worship
But all light into, all perceptions of, this glory, all experience of its power, were, amongst the most, lost in the world. I intend, in all these instances, the time of the Papal apostasy. Those who had the conduct of religion could . . . Continue reading →
Wisdom On Introducing Psalm Singing
1) Many people do not know you can sing the psalms (at least, other than Psalm 23, 62, and 100). “The psalter” is a foreign term, and even after people are introduced to singing psalms, they find it incredibly awkward to actually . . . Continue reading →
Calvin: People Have Never Liked The Regulative Principle
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, . . . Continue reading →