As I read Calvin's The Necessity of Reforming the Church, I was mildly surprised to read what Calvin believed was the most important aspect of Reformation. Calvin wrote:
If it be inquired, then, by what things chiefly the Christian religion has a standing existence amongst us, and maintains its truth, it will be found that the following two not only occupy the principal place, but comprehend under them all the other parts, and consequently the whole substance of Christianity: that is, a knowledge, first, of the mode in which God is duly worshipped, and, secondly, of the source from which salvation is to be obtained.
From there, Calvin goes on to write about and defend the "scriptural law of worship," which argues that the people of God are to worship God only according to what God has commanded. Any worship that deviates from God's commandments is false worship and will-worship. This doctrine, I believe, is the most underappreciated and ignored in all of Evangelicalism. During the Reformation, worship was overhauled in accordance with the recovery of the true gospel. The clear implication, I believe, is that good theology and good worship go together. In African American Churches, worship practices are invented all of the time. Is this symptomatic of many African American Churches drifting along a sea of aberrant theology? What of the Baptist churches that confess the New Hampshire Declaration of Faith (1834)? It is moderately Calvinistic. Why is worship an "anything goes?"
I ask folk here to describe what you have seen in African American Churches, and your thoughts on what you have witnessed. Also have you ever considered the "scriptural law of worship" and its implications toward Reformation in the African American Church.
Grace and Peace,
Reformed4ever
I ask folk here to describe what you have seen in African American Churches, and your thoughts on what you have witnessed. Also have you ever considered the "scriptural law of worship" and its implications toward Reformation in the African American Church.
Grace and Peace,
Reformed4ever
6 comments:
One of the things that distresses me about African American worship is the emphasis on emotionalism and anti-intellectualism. It seems the focus has turned inward to what satisfies me and meets my needs. I also think that historic, biblical Christianity often takes a backseat to what is viewed as a necessary expression of "our culture".
Robin,
I totally agree with you. As you know, there is an emotional element in Christian worship; a brief survey of the Book of Psalms reveals that. Emotion for emotion's sake has no part in worship, because it caters to the flesh.
There needs a worship overhaul in most African American churches. Churchgoers would be surprised to know that the Scriptures actually teach about worship.
I have a question for you. What would be your take on Christian Hip Hop? I am curious about which category you would put them in.
I think "Christian hip hop" is an oxymoron. One definition of hip hop...
Hip hop is the culture from which rap emerged. Initially it consisted of four main elements; graffiti art, break dancing, dj (cuttin' and scratching) and emceeing (rapping). Hip hop is a lifestyle with its own language, style of dress, music and mind set that is continuously evolving.
If I am not mistaken when we become Christian's we become a part of a community that HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE-God's Word...ITS OWN MUSIC-Hymns,Psalms and Spiritual Songs...AND ITS OWN MIND SET- The mind of Christ. And it is not continuously evolving because God's revelation of Himself is complete. He has said all He is going to say in His Word.
Listening to "Christian" rap on the radio or on you Ipod is one thing, but as a part of the worship service is quite another. I don't think the music should be a part of a worship service because it caters to the flesh and is a part of a culture that exalts many things that do not place God first.
Again, I agree with Robin on this one. We are to be holy as God is holy. There is no holy genesis to Hip Hop culture and rap music. Sure, there can be positive rap with a good message for people to ponder, but let us not mix the common with the holy.
To end, let me quote from some Christian poetry/hymnody:
The church's one Foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is a new creation by water and the Word: From heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.
Elect from ev'ry naiton, yet one o'er all the earth, Her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth; One holy Name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with ev'ry grace endued.
Samuel J. Stone
Thanks for the insight.
Post a Comment