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picture" of God’s ultimate purposes in creation and redemption. Author Larry Hurtado is professor of New Testament language, literature and theology at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. WORSHIP AND THE BIG PICTURE Christian worship could be re-enlivened and enriched by remembering the larger picture of God’s purposes, which extend beyond our own immediate setting and time to take in all human history and which promise a future victory over evil and a consummation of redeeming grace. Apart from a hope in God’s triumph over evil, apart from a confidence that Jesus really is the divinely appointed Lord in whom all things are to find their meaning, Christian acclamation of Jesus as Lord is a stupid thing, refuted and mocked by the powerful, negative realities of our creaturehood: the political and economic tyrannies, religious and irreligious forces, and social and cultural developments that make the Christian faith seem trivial and our worship little more than a quaint avocation. —Larry W. Hurtado, AT THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP: THE CONTEXT AND CHARACTER OF EARLIEST CHRISTIAN DEVOTION, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999, p. 116. ISBN 0-8028-4749-8 [How shocking to read a paragraph of enlightened Christian scholarship and find the word "stupid" lurking in the lines; but author is right, isn’t he? Without a larger perspective of God’s redeeming grace in Christ, the Christian practice of worship IS stupid. This is why Marva Dawn’s recent book on worship is entitled A ROYAL "WASTE" OF TIME (Eerdman’s, 1999)—because the unbelieving world sees the endeavor of Christian worship as a waste, a silliness, a stupid and foolish illusion. Perhaps this is what the Apostle Paul was thinking when he wrote to the church in Corinth. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, ". . . but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise."] The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Have a great week! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |