The Only Acceptable Worship

[Higgaion]

Hi all, I'm fairly new here and I made a similar post yesterday in one of the other forums, but I felt it was at least, if not more, appropriate here:

Has anyone here ever heard of something called the Regulative (or Scriptural) Principle of Worship? I'm betting not, but thought I'd ask. It's something that was recently brought to my attention, within the last couple of years.

Basically, the idea is, and it's not very popular I know, that not just anything that we would like to do is permissible in worship. That we must have a clear biblical warrant for any doctrine or practice that we introduce into the worship of God, or it is rebellion and sin, or "will worship". We are not free to add to OR subtract from what God has told us to do in the Word.

The Westminster Confession state it like this:

"But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture."

Of course, if consistently applied, this would rule out MANY of the popular practices that are so widespread in churches today. A few major and obvious examples:

1. Uninspired hymns which have replaced the Psalms. This would include all so-called contemporary Praise and Worship songs.
2. Choirs
3. Musical Instruments
4. Holidays ("holy days")

No, I am not crazy, and yes there are actually a goodly number of people who believe in this. I didn't come up with it on my own. So, If anyone would like more information and sources for where they can read more about the subject, or just a private discussion, please feel free to e-mail or private message me Thanks!

 

[Kelly]

Is your goal in this statement to say that any form of praise or worship that utilizes modern instruments (.i.e. rock style music) is sinful?

Music cannot be good or evil, only lyrics.

 

[Higgaion]

Hi Kelly,



I’m not sure what exactly is so difficult to understand about what I posted, but no, I don't have a goal ,per se, in my statement. The point is not really about instruments (modern, classical or ancient) either. The real issue is whether anything at all that we may think up to do is acceptable worship in God’s eyes. I assume that most people would agree that anything doesn’t go. If that’s true, then that means there must be some way of separating the wheat from the chaff. There are really only two possibilities. We may do anything that isn’t blatantly sinful, that God hasn’t specifically forbade in his Word. If that’s the case, then we are really left with our own fallen reason and personal preferences (and all competing with those of other believers) as a guide. It is a totally subjective thing and inherently divisive, even allowing those with power to persecute those without it, by making them stumble and violate their conscience, when God alone is Lord of the conscience. Or, alternatively, there could be an objective, Scriptural principle that limits what we do to the commands of God in the Bible, as the Westminster Confession alludes to.

 

[Rocki]

Hi all, I'm fairly new here and I made a similar post yesterday in one of the other forums, but I felt it was at least, if not more, appropriate here:

Has anyone here ever heard of something called the Regulative (or Scriptural) Principle of Worship? I'm betting not, but thought I'd ask. It's something that was recently brought to my attention, within the last couple of years.

Basically, the idea is, and it's not very popular I know, that not just anything that we would like to do is permissible in worship. That we must have a clear biblical warrant for any doctrine or practice that we introduce into the worship of God, or it is rebellion and sin, or "will worship". We are not free to add to OR subtract from what God has told us to do in the Word.

The Westminster Confession state it like this:

"But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture."

Of course, if consistently applied, this would rule out MANY of the popular practices that are so widespread in churches today. A few major and obvious examples:

1. Uninspired hymns which have replaced the Psalms. This would include all so-called contemporary Praise and Worship songs.
2. Choirs
3. Musical Instruments
4. Holidays ("holy days")

No, I am not crazy, and yes there are actually a goodly number of people who believe in this. I didn't come up with it on my own. So, If anyone would like more information and sources for where they can read more about the subject, or just a private discussion, please feel free to e-mail or private message me Thanks!

Hey... why cant you use any musical instruments??? instruments were used in the bible... harps, cymbols, trumpets, tambarines... whats wrong with them???
there are times when i worship God in my heavenly language... or i make up my own worship songs....
why can you only use "inspired" or songs from Psalms? I dont think God cares about the "song" itself.. but more of what is in our hearts... true worship inst in ANY song... biblical or not... true worship comes from the heart. and that is what God looks for

 

[Purpletigy]

I want to tell all you artists about something that is happening at not only my church, but churches everywhere. Painting and drawing are now being added into praise and worship as a form of worship. Basically how it's used is that during the praise and worship, while singing, etc., the artists will ask the Lord what he wants them to draw/convey. The person(s) start drawing what they feel the Lord is putting on their heart. One of the cool thing that happens is usually, the artists, unaware of what the others are doing, usually paints either the same thing as the other person without knowing it, or they end up painting pieces of the same storyline/parable/scripture, etc. It is amazing to see how what is being painted, also ends up being sung or preached without everyone being "on the same page" or rehearsed ahead of time. Most of it is done spontanious.

 

[Rocki]

I want to tell all you artists about something that is happening at not only my church, but churches everywhere. Painting and drawing are now being added into praise and worship as a form of worship. Basically how it's used is that during the praise and worship, while singing, etc., the artists will ask the Lord what he wants them to draw/convey. The person(s) start drawing what they feel the Lord is putting on their heart. One of the cool thing that happens is usually, the artists, unaware of what the others are doing, usually paints either the same thing as the other person without knowing it, or they end up painting pieces of the same storyline/parable/scripture, etc. It is amazing to see how what is being painted, also ends up being sung or preached without everyone being "on the same page" or rehearsed ahead of time. Most of it is done spontanious.

That is kewl.... totally God

 

[Purpletigy]

I suppose my church background is different having come form a traditional background, and hopping into what is referred to the Non-denominational/spirit-filled arena. While the first church I attended to as a child was hymn-based music with no musical instruments, I have gone on to a more open radical praise type church. I have no quams about how people worship as long as when they are singing those songs, they are indeed singing them as worship to the God- not singing them just to sing. Having experienced both styles, I prefer the radical praise of full expression to God. I do not believe there is a right or wrong way as music styles, only that it should be sincere, directed to God only, and should be morally sound.

 

[Purpletigy]

I suppose my church background is different having come form a traditional background, and hopping into what is referred to the Non-denominational/spirit-filled arena. While the first church I attended to as a child was hymn-based music with no musical instruments, I have gone on to a more open radical praise type church. I have no quams about how people worship as long as when they are singing those songs, they are indeed singing them as worship to the God- not singing them just to sing. Having experienced both styles, I prefer the radical praise of full expression to God. I do not believe there is a right or wrong way as music styles, only that it should be sincere, directed to God only, and should be morally sound.

 

[Purpletigy]

That is kewl.... totally God

Rocki, there is alot of this happening in the merritime areas of Canada :o)

 

[Purpletigy]

Rocki, there is alot of this happening in the merritime areas of Canada :o)

oops

 

[Higgaion]

Purpletigy...

Please go back and re-read my first two posts VERY slowly and very carefully Then go here and read this: http://www.reformed.com/pub/psalms.htm


Rocki, I'll get back to you when I'm back from my brief trip north. Thanks. In the meantime, I think you'd get a lot out of this: http://www.reformed.com/pub/music.htm

 

[SAVEVERYONE]

Very simple how to praise and worship God, watch me you can see me praising God in spirit and in truth, with my heart.... HALLELUJAH JESUS YOU ARE LORD FOREVER.................................................TO YOU ALONE JESUS BE ALL GLORY HONOR AND PRAISE............................JESUS IS MINE FOREVER selah...

 

[Purpletigy]

Purpletigy...

Please go back and re-read my first two posts VERY slowly and very carefully Then go here and read this: http://www.reformed.com/pub/psalms.htm


Rocki, I'll get back to you when I'm back from my brief trip north. Thanks. In the meantime, I think you'd get a lot out of this: http://www.reformed.com/pub/music.htm

dude, no offense but that's wayyyy too much to read. I read quite a bit, and it's too much dogma for my blood. I just care to go there.

 

[Purpletigy]

dude, no offense but that's wayyyy too much to read. I read quite a bit, and it's too much dogma for my blood. I just care to go there.

oops I dont care to go there

 

[Purpletigy]

Very simple how to praise and worship God, watch me you can see me praising God in spirit and in truth, with my heart.... HALLELUJAH JESUS YOU ARE LORD FOREVER.................................................TO YOU ALONE JESUS BE ALL GLORY HONOR AND PRAISE............................JESUS IS MINE FOREVER selah...

amen save!!!

 

[jono1]

hey purpletigy, just a tip for you: use the edit button. it is your friend
(its the button that apears inbetween "report" and "quote" in the space underneath your posts. it allows you to go back and change a post)

 

[Worship Guy]

The main problem here is that the original poster (and the authors of his linked resources) assume that worship = music. This is not the case.

worship: 1. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object. 2. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. 3. Ardent devotion; adoration.

I don't even see music in that definition. Looks like worship is less about what you do and more about WHY you do it. =)

Music can be a vehicle of worship, but it is not worship. Worship is an action or state of the heart. You can worship God through prayer, working at a soup kitchen, painting (very cool, Purple), etc. My mother, an interpreter for the deaf, does sign language to praise and worship songs.

As has already been stated, God doesn't care about the music or even the lyrics when a song is used for worship. The Bible says to make a joyful noise to the Lord, so God doesn't even care if you sound good when you sing. God sees your heart. God wants our love (Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matt 22:37) We could sing Psalms all day, but if our heart was not worshiping God, he wouldn't care that we were singing Psalms. We could sing P&W songs all day, the same thing applies. Ever hear the song "Heart of Worship"? It speaks of these very things.

With that said, my name may give it away, but I'm a worship leader. I've been leading praise and worship music for the past 6 years. When I see something like this that says that P&W is against the will of God and is a sin (I've heard it before), I start to see red. How dare another human tell me how I should or should not worship MY God, as if the type of music matters! I connect with God through music. Different people worship or connect with God in different ways, my main way just happens to be music. When I am playing my guitar and singing, no matter if it be in front of 400 people or by myself in the church chapel, I am with God and no one else. When I see people worshiping to P&W music, just laying themselves before God and seeking His face, I can't imagine how anyone could say that they are sinning! If anything, I would say that those who would deny anyone a way to worship God are the ones who are inhibiting the Kingdom of God.

 

[Rocki]

The main problem here is that the original poster (and the authors of his linked resources) assume that worship = music. This is not the case.

worship: 1. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object. 2. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. 3. Ardent devotion; adoration.

I don't even see music in that definition. Looks like worship is less about what you do and more about WHY you do it. =)

Music can be a vehicle of worship, but it is not worship. Worship is an action or state of the heart. You can worship God through prayer, working at a soup kitchen, painting (very cool, Purple), etc. My mother, an interpreter for the deaf, does sign language to praise and worship songs.

As has already been stated, God doesn't care about the music or even the lyrics when a song is used for worship. The Bible says to make a joyful noise to the Lord, so God doesn't even care if you sound good when you sing. God sees your heart. God wants our love (Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matt 22:37) We could sing Psalms all day, but if our heart was not worshiping God, he wouldn't care that we were singing Psalms. We could sing P&W songs all day, the same thing applies. Ever hear the song "Heart of Worship"? It speaks of these very things.

With that said, my name may give it away, but I'm a worship leader. I've been leading praise and worship music for the past 6 years. When I see something like this that says that P&W is against the will of God and is a sin (I've heard it before), I start to see red. How dare another human tell me how I should or should not worship MY God, as if the type of music matters! I connect with God through music. Different people worship or connect with God in different ways, my main way just happens to be music. When I am playing my guitar and singing, no matter if it be in front of 400 people or by myself in the church chapel, I am with God and no one else. When I see people worshiping to P&W music, just laying themselves before God and seeking His face, I can't imagine how anyone could say that they are sinning! If anything, I would say that those who would deny anyone a way to worship God are the ones who are inhibiting the Kingdom of God.

Amen

 

[chrisforshort]

No matter what type of worship you do someone will always have a problem with it. That's when we know we are playing for people and not for God.

 

[Purpletigy]

hey purpletigy, just a tip for you: use the edit button. it is your friend
(its the button that apears inbetween "report" and "quote" in the space underneath your posts. it allows you to go back and change a post)

thanks for the tip... being a newbie and all (3 days now) I'm still learning the ropes. I appreciate it.