Should we burn incense in our public worship? Should we kneel? Should we raise our hands during prayer? Should we dance? Should we speak in tongues?
Even though all of these worship practices are found in Scripture, Christians do not agree about their place in contemporary worship. We all believe that our worship should be governed by Scripture, but even within our own Reformed and Presbyterian tradition, there is much disagreement about how that principle applies to specific worship practices.
Presbyterian churches have traditionally been guided by what has come to be called the "Regulative Principle," based on the Westminster Confession of Faith:
But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by God himself, and so limited by his own free will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imagination and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture (Art. XX, 1).
Exactly how this principle should be interpreted and applied, however, has long been a cause of dispute—even among conservative Presbyterians.
Reformed churches from the continental tradition also have taken sides in this dispute, seeking to be guided by scriptural principles. And, like the Presbyterians, they have disagreed widely about the application of such principles.
To give RW readers a clearer perspective on the reasons for the different views on this issue, we have asked three Presbyterian authors to explain their understanding of the relationship between the Bible and contemporary worship. We encouraged each of them to deal with some of the questions posed above as well as some practical issues such as decorating the sanctuary with flowers, including accordion solos in the service, remaining seated in pews during prayer, incorporating religious drama into the liturgy, having the choir sing anthems, and having the pastor wear a purple robe.
G. I. Williamson, author of the first article, believes in a strict interpretation of the Regulative Principle. The second author, Bernard J. Stonehouse, holds a more centrist view. And Thomas Kennedy, author of the third essay, suggests that Scripture provides us with general worship principles that have to be worked out within the historical context of the church.
" …Not in the Realm of Shadows"
by G. I. Williamson
"It's Important to Be Open to Change."
by B. J. Stonehouse
