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Regulative Principle vs Normative Principle of worship.
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
Normative.
Worship needs to be in spirit and truth.
Many aspects of worship in the Bible were cultural
I see no need, for example, to get rid of the piano, or drums, simply because they are not in the Bible.
I do believe that worship should be more organic than I have experienced in several churches. I kinda hate to see a program.
Worship needs to be in spirit and truth.
Many aspects of worship in the Bible were cultural
I see no need, for example, to get rid of the piano, or drums, simply because they are not in the Bible.
I do believe that worship should be more organic than I have experienced in several churches. I kinda hate to see a program.
The Regulative Principle of Worship by Derek Thomas
Put simply, the regulative principle of worship states that the corporate worship of God is to be founded upon specific directions of Scripture. On the surface,
“Briefly stated, the regulative principle teaches that God has set forth in Scripture the only acceptable ways of worshiping him and that it is a sin to attempt to worship him in any other way. The opposite view, the normative principle, teaches that we may worship in whatever way we wish as long as it is not forbidden in Scripture.” (Page 10)
“‘Why ought we to worship God? Because it is due to him; and because it is good for us.’11” (Page 17)
“There is too much frivolity and familiarity in worship today. To be sure, there is a place in life for laughter. There is a place for humor. But when we worship, reverence should be our watchword.” (Page 18)
“Argument No. 1: The Sufficiency of Scripture Demands Adoption of the Regulative Principle” (Page 34)
“All the various elements of Old Testament worship point to Jesus. He is the ultimate sacrifice, ending the need for the offering of bulls and goats (Eph. 5:2; Mark 10:45). He is our great high priest, ending the need for lesser mediators such as the Levitical priests of the Mosaic system (1 Tim. 2:5). He is God’s dwelling among men, the one in whom God tabernacled with his people (John 1:14), ending the need for a physical temple to ‘house God’ (John 2:19–22; Heb. 9:1–5). With the coming of Christ, the ceremonial rituals of Old Testament Judaism were no longer necessary, and with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D., those rituals were abolished.” (Page 52)
I remember (decades ago) a CoC who kicked a man out of their church because he used a pitch pipe before the congregation sang a song. The reason was that the pitch pipe was an instrument not authorized by Scripture.The Regulative Principle of Worship by Derek Thomas
Put simply, the regulative principle of worship states that the corporate worship of God is to be founded upon specific directions of Scripture. On the surface,learn.ligonier.org
Worship: the Regulative Principle - By Ernest C. Reisinger
“Briefly stated, the regulative principle teaches that God has set forth in Scripture the only acceptable ways of worshiping him and that it is a sin to attempt to worship him in any other way. The opposite view, the normative principle, teaches that we may worship in whatever way we wish as long as it is not forbidden in Scripture.” (Page 10)
“‘Why ought we to worship God? Because it is due to him; and because it is good for us.’11” (Page 17)
“There is too much frivolity and familiarity in worship today. To be sure, there is a place in life for laughter. There is a place for humor. But when we worship, reverence should be our watchword.” (Page 18)
“Argument No. 1: The Sufficiency of Scripture Demands Adoption of the Regulative Principle” (Page 34)
“All the various elements of Old Testament worship point to Jesus. He is the ultimate sacrifice, ending the need for the offering of bulls and goats (Eph. 5:2; Mark 10:45). He is our great high priest, ending the need for lesser mediators such as the Levitical priests of the Mosaic system (1 Tim. 2:5). He is God’s dwelling among men, the one in whom God tabernacled with his people (John 1:14), ending the need for a physical temple to ‘house God’ (John 2:19–22; Heb. 9:1–5). With the coming of Christ, the ceremonial rituals of Old Testament Judaism were no longer necessary, and with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D., those rituals were abolished.” (Page 52)
The irony was they were gathering on Wendsday night (something also never mentioned in Scripture).
But I get there reasoning. There are people who believe it is wrong to worship in a church building, to have fellowship halls, to use traditional hymns, etc.
I do not believe that most regulative principle people are consistent, as they allow things in worship that are not in Scripture if it suits their tradition. On the other hand, normative principle people would typically not include things like costumes (maybe choir robes would be fine), smoke machines, etc.
I think that the overriding principle ends up being what type of worship people identify with (whatever styles or elements through which they worship in truth and spirit).
Yea, there are strange things a happening.
I went to an IFB churches when I first moved here. It was kjvo. But the sanctuary was like a movie theater (I will say the seats were conformable). They had flashing lights and a smoke machine (I had heard about churches using this, but hadn't seen it before.....and this was an IFB church!!).
But we also worship in ways not prescribed in Scripture. We have a sermon at every servide. The sermon is often viewed as the primary reason to gather. I have never been to a church that did nit use some type of modern instrument.
Many worship services are programmed (sing this song, sing that song, sing another, collect t an offering, heart a sermon, sing the last song...that type of thing).
I suppose there is a spectrum between views. I have not seen a church that is completely regulation principle. But I have not attended a church that was disobedient in their worship either (even the smoke machine church was not really disobedient, I just found it strange).
@Zaatar71
Think of it this way - there are churches that hold to regulative worship who would call singing traditional hymns normative. If you sing it has to be what the Bible prescribes as acceptable (some passages as hymns and psalms).
I mean, to them if you sing "How Great Thou Art" you might as well be wearing shorts, flip flops, drinking a beer and enjoying your smoke machine because God ain't listening.
Think of it this way - there are churches that hold to regulative worship who would call singing traditional hymns normative. If you sing it has to be what the Bible prescribes as acceptable (some passages as hymns and psalms).
I mean, to them if you sing "How Great Thou Art" you might as well be wearing shorts, flip flops, drinking a beer and enjoying your smoke machine because God ain't listening.
Regulative
See Nadab and Abihu in the OT.
They “offered strange fire before the Lord” ie they did something that God had not commanded them to do
See Nadab and Abihu in the OT.
They “offered strange fire before the Lord” ie they did something that God had not commanded them to do
My question is who determines what is strange fire (outside of being under the Mosaic Law).
Is singing traditional hymns strange fire because these are not passages or psalms?
Is using a paino or organ strange fire?
Is using drums a strange fire?
Is passing a collection plate strange fire?
It just seems that the standard people use for Regulative is too subjective to be meaningful. Strictly speaking, we would not worship in church buildings, we would not use a paino, we would not sing traditiinal hymns, we would not use collection plates for the offering, meet on Wendsday, for congregational worship, etc. because these are not commanded by the Bible.
If you read the article ….
I did.
My point is there are churches who consider using contemporary worship music flippant or common.
But there are churches that consider traditional hymns like "How Great Thou Art" flippant or common.
Some do not use a paino because it common.
Some don't use drums for the same reason.
I kinda think passing an offering plate is a flippant method.
But the article is correct in that if we did worship as prescribed in the Mosaic Law our services would look different.
I do not know of any Baptist church that uses incense (which God did command in terms of worship...actually the same books the article uses).
canadyjd
Well-Known Member
I favor the regulative principle, but with a broad understanding. We shouldn’t confuse our traditions as “regulative”.
Musical instruments were used (commanded in fact) in the OT. Paul commands us to teach one another in songs and hymns and spiritual songs. What do our worship songs teach us? Do we find scripture in our songs?
The Hebrew people learned scripture and theology (memorizing both) through songs. If we favor the regulative principle, so should we. Even our “spiritual songs” should teach us scriptural truth.
Peace to you
Musical instruments were used (commanded in fact) in the OT. Paul commands us to teach one another in songs and hymns and spiritual songs. What do our worship songs teach us? Do we find scripture in our songs?
The Hebrew people learned scripture and theology (memorizing both) through songs. If we favor the regulative principle, so should we. Even our “spiritual songs” should teach us scriptural truth.
Peace to you
We worship in spirit and in truth. I have no problem with how others worship as long as it is not sin. The problem starts when someone starts telling others how they should be worshiping. If its submission and thankfulness to the Lord, to each his own.
Peace to you brothers
Peace to you brothers