GRIZ BEAR COMMENTS: Which worship is better?

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Which worship is better: contemporary or traditional? That is a question often discussed and debated in Christian churches - and especially so, as more and more churches abandon traditional worship forms and move toward contemporary praise bands and vocalists.

If you are looking for me to answer this question and take sides, you will probably be disappointed because I won’t. Why? Because the answer could be both or neither, depending on how and why the worship is taking place.

First of all, Christian worship isn’t worship unless it is offered up from the heart and through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6); and, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Secondly, worship isn’t worship if it is for the glory of men rather than of God. The Bible says: “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:31). All we do and say should be “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:6-7; cf. 1 Cor. 10:31).

Also to be included in this discussion are Bible passages such as the following:

◊Matthew 15:7-9 - “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

◊Matthew 6:7 - “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”

How does all this relate to the question of which worship is better? It’s quite simple: Christian worship comes from a heart which trusts in the redemption accomplished by Christ Jesus; it is offered up to give glory and praise to God for His goodness and mercy toward us in His Son; it is to be in accord with God’s Word, the Bible, rather than to be an expression of the thoughts, experiences and opinions of men; and it is not to be vain repetitions of words and prayers uttered without meaning and heartfelt devotion.

I, personally, find it sad to see so many abandon all traditional forms of Christian worship. Why? Because there is so much in the way of liturgies and hymns which are both Scriptural and rich in Biblical doctrine.

On the other hand, contemporary forms of worship often have a freshness to them which can allow worshipers to truly express praise from the heart. If the contemporary forms are in accord with true, Scriptural doctrine and are used for the glory of God and through faith in Christ Jesus, they are true worship.

Some criticize all contemporary worship forms as though they were, somehow, not fit for giving glory to God. I’ve heard this said of songs, styles of worship and musical instruments. The truth is that no song, style or instrument - not even Johann Sebastian Bach on the world’s finest organ - is worthy for giving praise to the eternal God who created all things. Human praise is only accepted for the sake of Jesus’ shed blood for the sins of the world! Criticizing the worship of others based on our own opinions on what is dignified enough to be used in worship is akin to rejecting an off-key child’s rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” because it is not as rich in theological expression and musical complexity as “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” And yet, Jesus holds up the faith and praise of little children for our example (Mark 10:15; Matt. 21:16).

While traditional worship forms offer a richness in theology and praise and a uniformity in worship with believers of all ages, if they become only vain repetitions, they are no longer worship. On the other hand, many contemporary songs used in worship have missed the mark because they do not accurately express the true doctrine taught in the Bible. Oft-times too, they are more geared toward being a performance than a means of leading a congregation in Biblical worship.

For those who would prefer to be led by a praise band or to use more contemporary forms of worship, I have no criticism, only these same words of counsel and guidance: Worship is giving glory to God, not man; Worship is to be Biblically sound, not our own thoughts, experiences and opinions; and worship is only acceptable for the sake of Jesus and His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world!

I, personally, love the rich Biblical heritage of traditional and liturgical worship. What could be more Biblical than beginning a service with the confession of our sins and then hearing that God forgives and accepts us for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of His Son in our stead! What could be more Biblical than glorifying God in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs taken straight from the Bible! What could be more Biblical than looking to the Lord Jesus to have mercy upon us as did so many who came to Him with physical and spiritual needs! What could be more Biblical than hearing God’s Word read and explained and partaking of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins in the observance of His Supper! What could be more Biblical than coming before God with our prayers and petitions! And what could be more Biblical than to have God’s name and blessing pronounced upon us as God commanded Aaron and his sons to do in the Old Testament!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer and also pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rogers. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 05/29/2013