The Worship Quote of the Week for (09/30/2003):

Form and Faith Have you ever noticed that you may respond to a prayer, a song, a Scripture passage, or even a sermon differently than the person sitting right next to you in a worship service? Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is from a book in which author Gary Thomas explores the various pathways for the soul’s true communion with God. FORM AND FAITH It is possible to serve God religiously for quite some time without actually knowing him. Samuel is a good example of this danger. First Samuel 3:1 tells us that "the boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli," yet in verse seven we’re told, "Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him." Samuel was intimately involved in the religious observances of Israel, but he didn’t know the God of Israel personally. The world is full of religions and religious people who don’t know God. Religion can serve faith, but it doesn’t substitute for faith, and it can never replace faith. Meaningful expressions of the heart, mind, and will become lifeless if they’re not mixed with a deep and abiding faith. — Gary Thomas, SACRED PATHWAYS: DISCOVERING YOUR SOUL’S PATH TO GOD (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), p. 89. ISBN 0-310-24284-3. [NOTE: We are seeking a "deep and abiding faith" in God. Of course, it must be a faith in God through Christ alone—not a faith in our feelings, or a faith in religious forms, or a faith in our faith, or a faith in our faithfulness. Yes?] 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/icw