But Uzzah had a good heart and thought he was doing right...

PTW, thanks for what you said. I agree 100%.

Now, how do we worship God in a manner that does please Him?

SDG,
Chris

 

And more importantly, how do we KNOW that this is the manner that pleases God, and that others don't?? All PTW's argument established is that just because someone has good intentions doesn't mean they're doing right. I agree. Now lets hear about the rest of these assertions that we're encouraging people to worship in a manner not pleasing to God and many times deadly.

 

Right. And you can add that the arguments of the contemporary worship critics falls into #1— onlly the old styles are good, because only they "bring glory to God". And the inverse of #2: the new styles are leading people away. Plus, someone can come with something "traditional" which they think is right, and still met the same fate. This is what would have happened to the Pharisees if God was still striking down people as much. So yes, many of the arguments of the CCM defenders are weak, but then so are those of the critics. They just have more of a mastery at proof-texting or reading things into the Bible.

 

One small question, please. I do understand what you are saying - but does this not mean that those who teach "the heart" should not be involved in worship are also leading people astray? We have seen several threads recently where it has been stated unequivocally that emotion has no place in worship. You cannot love with all your heart without emotion being involved.

So is this statement also not applicable to those who claim that worship should only come from the mind, and not emotion? Are they not as guilty as those who say the state of the heart is all?

Ruth

 

Uzzah directly disobeyed a command of God and the result was judgment. I have yet to see it proven biblically where God only approves of a certain style or type of music.

Oranges and apples.

 

Ruth,

Sorry to poke my nose in here but I was cocerned that you were thinking of me when you said:

Just for the record I have never said that emotion has no place in worship. My only ascertion was that worship which is based solely on emotion is inadequate. The mind must be involved. Of course we must worship with the spirit of love which involves the heart and emotions.

Hope that was clear in my posts on the other thread.

God Bless,

Enda

 

No, Enda, don't worry. I wasn't thinking about our discussion at all. Thanks for asking.

But I would really like to know what the rest of you think about what I said. Do you not consider it just as bad to deny the use of the heart in worship, as any of the other things that Jesus named in what he called "the greatest commandment"?

Ruth

 

Hi,ran accross this thread tonight and would like to make a comment or two.
Most Baptist churches in my area are really quite dry,no need to worry about emotion.However a while I was invited to a new work which consisted of mostly young couples wanting to do something for God,excitement was every where.Hymns which were usually slow and lifeless were sang in a more lively fashion,people were excited giving lots of testimonies of God working in their lives,everyone was visiting the lost and inviting folks out to church.The nursery was full of kids which have been known to make a bit of noise from time to time and some would stay after church many evenings and just sing and fellowship.
As a result of visitation some older people started attending and were offended by the excitement saying the santuary of God was no place for laughter and excitement.
I said all that to say that people who i've met who have been saved from certian Hell flames and presented with the keys to the kingdom of God are usually quite excited and emotional until someone tells them its wrong.
No emotion,usually not much going on!!!!!!!!
Just a comment from a cold country,have a great day in the Lord ER

 

Won't it be nice when worship wars are all over? Amazing how much of the discussion centers around what we like, we think, our emotions, our feelings, our styles, etc. Problem is, worship isn't about us at all. Nor is it designed to be for us. ....furthermore, worship isn't the time the church gathers to sing. Worship is a lifestyle of service to Christ.

The stuff discussed here centered around musical style - not worship. When we confuse the two, we do great harm to theologically understanding who Christ is, and that He is the center of worship. Read John 4 and study the language Christ used when he answered the woman at the well about worship.

Unfortunately, we look on the outward appearance, just as the pharisees did. The style isn't the issue....why do you think the psalms were preserved, but not the accompanying music for them? Could it be that the style doesn't matter to God, the substance does. something to think about.

 

Uzzah would not have felt compelled to steady
the ark if David had first been obedient to our God
and not moved the ark as he did. In the same
manner, some leaders get ahead of our God and
attempt to dictate worship based upon pesonal
preference, which they rename our "God's way."
Worship is personal, between our God and us. As
long as we are not doing something unbiblical,
why should anyone dictate our worship?

However, if we worship to make ourselves feel
better or feel good, I cannot see how that is true
worship. Our God should always be the focus of
worship. If it does not please Him, I think we are
wasting our time and confusing others.

 

Right on MP!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Chris

 

THANK YOU!!! That is precisely what happened, and is a perfect correlation!

 

I agree, but isn't there also a corporate aspect to worship?

God takes worship very seriously, and so I wonder if we should not merely strive to avoid doing that which is unbiblical, but strive to do that which God has commanded in His Word.

Having said that, how has God commanded us to worship? Has He given us specific commands on proper worship? Just thought I would ask.

SDG,
Chris