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Traditions and Idols
Church, a large congregation in the heart of New York City. TRADITIONS AND IDOLS Any proponent of "historic" corporate worship will have to answer the question, "Whose history?" Much of what is called "traditional" worship is very rooted in northern European culture. While strict contemporary worship advocates may bind worship too heavily to one present culture, strict historic worship advocates may bind it too heavily to a past culture. . . . A refusal to adapt a tradition to new realities may come under Jesus’ condemnation of making our favorite human culture into an idol, equal to the Scripture in normativity (Mark 7:8-9). While contemporary worship advocates do not seem to recognize the sin in all cultures, the historic worship advocates do not seem to recognize the amount of (common) grace in all cultures. — Timothy J. Keller, "Reformed Worship in the Global City," chapter four of WORSHIP BY THE BOOK, edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, p. 196. ISBN 0-310-21625-7. Other chapters in this book are by D. A. Carson, Kent Hughes, and Mark Ashton. Highly recommended! [If you are looking for a thoughtful and challenging book on faithful biblical worship in today’s world, I suggest you find a copy of WORSHIP BY THE BOOK. While you are at it, get one for your pastor and your director of music and worship.] 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 |