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“Controversies with church music VS. Reformation”
Many controversies are over worship and the nature of the music. Although, some are adamant that the only should use the resource of the hymnbook; while others never seem satiated in their quest for new material or the ancillary technology which it presents. There are
For many evangelical congregations, the character of worship is determined largely by one or two individual with a specific personal agenda that support a power base. Often, a congregation will work together deliberately to discern what, for them, is appropriate corporate mode of worship language. But rare instances, the question of how to worship is usually part of a larger, ongoing discussion over how to be the Body of Christ in a community.
Each perspective, each point of view, carries some part of the totality of what worship signifies in the life of the believer and of the Christian community. The diversity of worship setting can be a valuable asset; it prompts creativity from many voices, and keeps worship vital and energized. But diversity without focus is often destructive; competing forces can tear down a congregation apart, creating pain and wounds, and rendering the whole ineffectual.
What lies at the heart of the controversy over current forms of worship practice across the evangelical movement? The declaration of many who have experienced frustration and discord on all sides of the issue, the root cause is simply not one of the contentions over a particular worship style. Or can subsequent fallout resulting in congregational and denominational schisms be attributed ultimately to matters of power politics, leadership, manipulation, or even personal agendas. Even though, these aberrant manifestations surface as tangible evidence of existing tensions and the conflict in worship practice, they are symptomatic of complex of a larger fundamental problem that can be traced across the spectrum of evangelicalism.
But to identify and understand the nature of these problems as they relate to worship, the field of inquiry must compass the only question of how we do in chu
For over fifteen centuries, Christianity was the prevailing ideology in Western society and though. But in the Middle Ages, the Church in Rome became central agent of political unification over the Western Empire; doctrinal orthodoxy and standardized forms of worship structure and language that were sought by liturgical councils and imposed on citizenry by state sanction. Although, there was little tolerance for liturgical or doctrinal plurality; radical thinkers or break way movements of significance were branded heretical. All though in the somewhat social and theological climate of the Reformation, religion was understood to serve the political ends. Its renewed appeal to a vernacular, grassroots populace, and the Protestant agenda played the role of hand maiden to burgeoning national movements struggling for the autonomy from Rome, in particular Germany, England and France.
But during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, social and political reforms were instituted through revival movements in America and Great Britain. However Christianity found itself inextricably bound with the prevailing culture and society, becoming encoded as the dominant world view by all of Western soc
Over the past two centuries, Western popular culture has evolved far beyond Christian myth that has embraced numerous philosophical and social paradigms. The Modernist, Enlightenment era, and current post-modern ideas have, in turn, questioned the existence of God that denounced the alliance of Church and State, prompted waves of political, economic and social theories that on the contrary to the progress myth which these theories propagate and appear to center increasingly on agendas of self gratification or power of issues.
In conclusion, there needs to be some sort of guidelines by which a worshipping community conducts meaningful and responsible acts of praise that engage the whole being, soul, mind, body and spirit. But if there is no discipline in worship, no acts of corporate will to covenant with God and each other in structured, consistent, balanced ways, then there is no hope of common theological or confessional interpretation, and no growth without factionalism. A worshipping community must sense that it exists at complete and utter mercy of the Creator, and must recognize the purpose and significance of it being gathered together as one. Worship is an Act; it is the physical offering of all we are and all we have to the one who created us as his instruments of praise and service. Worshipping involves a “renewing of the mind” a continual process of transformation, based on common theological understanding. Members must acknowledge their unworthiness in the light of God’s grace, and recy and privilege that is theirs, having been redeemed by God’s love and grace through the sacrifice of Christ. Together they must be unified, renewed, strengthened and empowered to carry the transforming message of the Cross to the world. It is imperative that all of this happens in the act of worship. One hopes that the Church, God’s people many opt to enter fully into the mystery and the reality of worship. The presentation of ourselves as live offerings that we submit to continual pody. However this is the work-the liturgy-of worship; this is our spiritual act of worship. By developing careful theological, confessional and creedal language and symbolic acts that identify us in worship, is by engaging more deeply into Scriptures and into God’s truth, by singing new songs which express our task and purpose, and by acknowledging and affirming the priesthood of all believers, we will truly begin to discern on what is good, and acceptable, and perfect.