"The term 'worship' means many things to many people. There is no single interpretation of the word that is common to more than one out of five adults in this country."
While this is a poll from 1994, it would be a good topic to discuss, especially nowadays with the increasing postmodernization of the church. I'd guess there is even less of a consensus on what worship is today in 2004.
So, what is wrship?
Let me throw out some thoughts:
First, I think of Romans 12:1, which says:
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to (present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
Then I think of the WSC: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
Do you think we don't have a unified view of worship because too many people don't derive their plans for worship from Scripture?
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
Hi there, I believe the whole problem is man following man with regard to worship.We therefore find a situation where church follows church,that which seems successfull and acceptable is done often without reference to the bible.
Hi there, I believe the whole problem is man following man with regard to worship.We therefore find a situation where church follows church,that which seems successfull and acceptable is done often without reference to the bible.
I agree fully. Especially with the stuff I emphasised in bold. It reminds me of that 40 Days of Purpose thing. While some of it may be biblical (I have not read the book personally, although my church is getting ready to do the 40 Days of Purpose) the whole of the book and such is not weighed against Scripture. People assume that because a well-known preacher who has a megachurch wrote it that he wouldn't lead people wrong.
"All men become like the objects of their worship. Our inward character is being silently moulded by our view of God and our conception of him. Christian character is the fruit of Christian worship; pagan character the fruit of pagan religion; semi-Christian character the fruit of a half-true understanding of God. The principle holds good for us all: we become like what we worship for worse or for better. 'They that make them are like unto them' (Psa. 115:8)." — Maurice Roberts
"It has been well said that "true worship is based upon recognized greatness, and greatness is superlatively seen in Sovereignty, and at no other footstool will men really worship." — A.W. Pink
"The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him." — A.W. Pink
"It is an inexpressible grief to me to see the church spending its energies in a vain attempt to lower its testimony to suit the ever-changing sentiment of the world about it." - Benjamin B. Warfield