Forming Our Grid
To navigate this discussion well, lets outline the main viewpoints or grid we tend to look at the application of worship through and see if we can begin to articulate how and possibly why worship is done the way we do it today. Click To Read The Introduction To This Article
History / Tradition
What is the role of History in the formation of worship? History exists for us to learn from; from good and bad examples. Sadly, humanity has proven to rarely learn from it and is prone to repeat it. This can be true about worship. Throughout history God has shown us that we are inherently selfish, opinionated, proud, and opportunistic. We bring these flaws with us and only by God’s grace are any of us sanctified from this malady.
Have you ever noticed how we celebrate the first everything? History is made of firsts. The first man to walk on the moon, the first air flight, firsts steps, etc. By the third time we do things it’s a tradition. Traditions are formed in the process of making history. They become markers and “proven” methods. Traditions can have significant value, but they can also be a trap. The positives of tradition are stability, constancy, clarity, and familiarity. The trap is they become laws unto themselves, limit creativity, and can become rote rituals rather than vibrant expressions.
History plays a significant role in the formulation of the corporate gathering. Humans are funny, we can be the most contemporary, open-minded, cutting edge person and yet when it comes time to get married or go to a funeral, we become uncharacteristically traditional and sentimental. We become familiar with certain things and grow accustomed to their presence, miss them when they go away and become inclined to fight for them when they seem to be taken away. This connection to history is not inherently evil, but neither is it inherently virtuous. Familiarity does create a comfort that in small ways helps through a chaotic and changing world to find pillars to lean on in times of need. Tradition can also bring clarity and constancy to our lives keeping us from theological error.
Consider all the great minds that have gone before us and all the Godly thoughts they possessed. The thoughts and viewpoints of these individuals and their methods are worth acknowledging and giving deference to. We do not have to reinvent Christianity to find appropriate expressions in worship. At times we must look to those who have gone before us. Learning from these individuals or collectives may give us insight into our own souls and practice of worship. They can keep us at the heart of Scripture and help us stay constant in faith.
Along side the benefits of tradition are some trappings. It is said that your greatest strength is your greatest weakness. Eating is a necessity and I love to eat, but it is that love of food that will likely make me fat and or give me heart disease. Same with traditions, they have a tendency to become more to us than the Bible would permit and lead to idolatry. This cycle is repeated in the life of Israel throughout the Old Testament. They made their rituals about the ritual, the law about the law and lost sight of the heart of God that is constant yet creative, expressive and whose Spirit is unpredictable. Jesus made this clear in John 4 to the woman at the well, who wanted to make worship about a place rather than a person or relationship. It is nearly impossible to see a sunrise, walk in nature, look at the stars and the sky seeing how no two clouds or snowflakes the same and not recognize that God is always doing a new thing. The same water never flows over the same place twice and no two people are identical in look or personality. Even identical twins have variations in their makeup.
This is one reason why the conversation about worship has to become about God Himself. He never changes, though He may choose to change things. He desires that our heart be so closely in tune with him that change is not scary but an opportunity to exercise faith, stretch our perceptions of reality and grow in grace and knowledge of Him. We cannot afford to ignore the history of man and learn from God how we should respond in our present age. We must pray, we must seek and we must cling to the truth of Scripture as we pursue Him.
Preferences / Experience
David Hume an early 18th century philosopher would claim that human nature is solely a product of experience. (Called empiricism or skepticism) While I do not ascribe to his “clean slate” philosophy, it should be acknowledged that experience does play a role in the attitudes and preferences that develop through the course of our lives. A seminary professor once said to me, “people think they know what they like, when really they like what they know.” I do not think he was seeking to be disparaging toward all people but pointing out that experience in life plays a significant role in shaping our opinions and preferences.
Frequently, when confronted with an issue in worship, many people will seek to make a theological argument when it is really more of a preference argument. At the risk of sounding insensitive to people, I recognize that everybody, including me, is biased toward their viewpoint on this matter. For example, the use of drums has been a lightning rod for this kind of discussion, also modern songs that repeat lyrics frequently. Other classic examples include the alteration of hymns tunes as musical sacrilege, use of electric guitars, organ or other instruments. Contemporary style proponents have reacted similarly by neglecting the truths of hymns, disparaging choral music, organ, and the value of liturgical history.
The challenge comes in recognizing that bias and submitting our preferences to biblical teaching. Philippians 2 is one place the Scriptures indicate how to view our opinions. “in all things consider others as better than yourselves”. At best, seeking to build a model of worship around preferences is about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. You can try it for a time, but you are guaranteed to take on water and ultimately sink the ship.
Truth / Theology
Another contributor to our grid is that of our theological framework experientially and educationally. What we have been taught about the Scriptures and seen by example play a significant role in our view of worship and the practice of it. For example, those from a theological/denominational background where the Lord’s Supper (Communion/Eucharist) has been communicated as becoming the body and blood of Christ (Transubstantiation) your theological grid effect how you behave and think toward that ordinance. This is why in the Catholic church all the wine must be consumed and why you cannot leave mass without having consumed the host (Bread). In other theological veins communion is more than an observance but not quite to the level of Catholicism. This is where there is a spiritual work and mystery which takes place but just short of the actual body and blood of Christ. (Consubstantiation). Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran theology are prime examples of this.
Another area is the trinity. There is a sect of Christianity called the Oneness Movement. They believe in Jesus only. They would not ascribe to the orthodox view of the Trinity. Therefore, this effects how they worship and the articulation of that in every word they sing, preach, and teach. Modern day examples would be the band Phillips, Craig and Dean. They have historically come from a monist (Jesus Only) tradition. It has been purported that they have since come to a trinitarian viewpoint but I cannot say that with clarity.
Theology matters to worship. Being consistent in our understanding of the Scriptures and interpretation (Hermeneutics) is key to staying grounded to orthodox teaching and away from heresy.
