why is something not directly worshipful wrong?

can you be more specific?

 

Are you speaking of wholesome entertainment, southern gospel quartets, and going to see a Christian music concert?

If so, I don't see anything wrong with them - as long as we call them what they are: entertainment. Worship and entertainment are two completely different things.

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• In entertainment, we are the audience, and the performance is for us.</font>
• In worship, God is the audience and we are not - the worship is for Him.</font>
• In worship, we are the congregation, not the audience - many people get this issue confused.</font>

 

Might you be thinking of "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin"?

 

PHIL 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

SOme groups teach that idea, Uncharted, but if thats the case, then dont think about eating or taking a bath. Those arent inherently worshipful either.

 

The principles of worship fall into two categories: The Regulative Principle, which holds that only that which is specifically authorized by Scripture should be part of a worship service. The Normative Princple holds that whatever is not specifically prohibited by Scripture is permitted.

Some would prohibit musical instruments based on the lack of a mention or command in the New Testament, even though they were used in Old Testament worship. Some churches are Exclusive Psalmody--that is, they use only music based on the Psalms.

The Normative Principle, of course, gives a lot of wiggle room. I suspect that's the view most churches hold.

 

Well said, Tom.

And I like Norm.

RB

 

There is no verse that says this. If this were the case it would be wrong to eat, sleep and breathe.

 

You got it right again USN! WORSHIP is NOT entertainment!

 

Sitting in an audience can be worship, if you all the preformers to lead you in worship, if you allow them to lead you to God's presence in a worshipful attitude, now if your just there to admire someone talents as a preformers, then theres no worship.

 

but the word worship is not always synonymous with music.....right?

We aren't even sure yet what Uncharted meant by his OP....much less that he was referring to music even.

Right?

 

Lev 10:1-2 -- 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

Those who hold to the regulative principle do so from this passage. They suggest that anything not directly commanded is forbidden. Nadab and Abihu is a case in point, they say.

The argument further suggests that the "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" are terms that designate ONLY Scripture. Therefore, they say, the only "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" that is permitted in the assembly is the singing of Scripture. Some go so far as to suggest that they should be sung directly out of the Bible itself.

All of my encounters with this has been with those who were from a strong reformed position. There are numerous CD's available with a'capalla singing of the Psalms.

My only thought is that this principle would also seem to make it wrong to drive to church in your car or have air-conditioning when you got there! These things are not commanded in the Bible! The regulative principle insists that whatsoever is not commanded, is therefore forbidden.

strange birds these regulators... imho

 

Just a few thoughts on worship...

The first time the word appears in the Bible is when Abraham was leaving with Isaac to sacrifice the boy to the Lord. He told the servants, "I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again unto you" (Gen 22:5).

The first time it is used in the NT, is when the wise men come to the baby Jesus to "worship".

1) From the life of Abraham, we observed that
∙ worship flows out of a life that is committed to God (Gen 12:4; 15:6; 22:1).
∙ a recognition that He is God and whatever He asks is His right (Gen 22:2-3)
∙ when we worship in response to what God has revealed about Himself, He will reveal more of Himself (Gen 22:8-14).
2) From the “Law of First Mention” we noted that the first time the word worship appears in the OT the object of worship is Jehovah (YHWH - Gen 22:14). The first time the word appears in the NT the object of worship is the baby Jesus (Matt 2:2, compare, John 8:58; 10:30).
3) From looking at several “direct encounters with God” we noted that the natural, and proper response to God is a deep awareness of His Holiness and at the same time a deep sense of our own unworthiness to enter His presence (Exod 3:1-5; Isa 6:1-7; Luke 5:1-11).
4) From Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in Samaria we learn four things:
∙ God seeks true worshipers (John 4:23c)
∙ True worship is based on relationship (John 4:23a)
∙ True worship is made possible by the Spirit (4:24)
∙ Truth worship is through Jesus Christ (John 4:24; 14:6; Heb 1:1-3)
Today, as we conclude this series, I want to focus on some things that we have observed throughout this study:
1. God is always the first cause in worship - that is, He seeks man, and man responds to His initiative (Gen 3:9; Exod 3:2-4; Isa 6). John 4:20-24 teaches the primary difference between religion and worship - religion is man seeking God, worship focuses on God revealing Himself to man. Of the 13 occurrences of the word “worship” in the Gospel of John, 10 of them are in these five verses. It was to this confused Samaritan woman that Jesus offered the only voluntary declaration of His Messiahship in the entire New Testament - “I that speak unto thee am he” (John 4:26).
2. God has prescribed how we may approach Him - on the basis of a blood sacrifice (Gen 3:21; 4:3-7; John 3:16; 14:6; Heb 10:4,11,12).
3. Worship is both an individual and a group activity. In the Old Testament and the New, we often find people meeting with God on a one-on-one basis. Yet, the community aspect of worship is at the heart of Israel’s relationship with God. The nation is instructed throughout the OT to assemble before the Lord. In the New Testament the very meaning of the word church is “a called out assembly.”