Here is my response to this article by Todd Prueitt in which he summarizes the book True Worship by Vaughan Roberts. His points are below in italics, and my responses follow.
A quick side note: I'm disappointed that many of the comment and rebuttals contained in the comments section of his article were less than Christian in tone. I've strived to find common points, and I hope my style comes across as engaged and upbeat rather than combative. I trust you will do the same.
1. God’s Word is marginalized.
In many Churches and Christian gatherings it is not unusual for God’s Word to be shortchanged. Music gives people the elusive “liver quiver” while the Bible is more mundane. Pulpits have shrunk and even disappeared while bands and lighting have grown. But faith does not come from music, dynamic experiences, or supposed encounters with God. Faith is birthed through the proclamation of God’s Word (Rom 10:17).
I agree with the heart here; God's Word and the worship of Him should be the focus rather than the style, the band, or the charismatic leader. As for the pulpits shrinking and lighting growing... I don't think his argument is served by discussing furniture and electric systems--even as aesthetically important as they may be. His last point is very important and I wholeheartedly agree: faith DOES come through the hearing of God's Word. At the same time may I point out that as a worshiper and a performing musician I find great joy in proclaiming God's Word through song!
2. Our assurance is threatened.
If we associate God’s presence with a particular experience or emotion, what happens when we no longer feel it? We search for churches whose praise band, orchestra, or pipe organ produce in us the feelings we are chasing. But the reality of God in our lives depends on the mediation of Christ not on subjective experiences.
I agree with the heart here; God's Word and the worship of Him should be the focus rather than the style, the band, or the charismatic leader. As for the pulpits shrinking and lighting growing... I don't think his argument is served by discussing furniture and electric systems--even as aesthetically important as they may be. His last point is very important and I wholeheartedly agree: faith DOES come through the hearing of God's Word. At the same time may I point out that as a worshiper and a performing musician I find great joy in proclaiming God's Word through song!
2. Our assurance is threatened.
If we associate God’s presence with a particular experience or emotion, what happens when we no longer feel it? We search for churches whose praise band, orchestra, or pipe organ produce in us the feelings we are chasing. But the reality of God in our lives depends on the mediation of Christ not on subjective experiences.
YES. I completely agree with the last sentence! Let me address the first question, though.
What happens to a marriage when the feelings are no longer there? I think the answer in both cases is "commitment." The commitment we make in the thick of emotion is proved in the dryness that inevitably follows. Our walk with Christ will most certainly be filled with mountain tops AND deserted valleys with death-shadows. Just as one can be committed to serving their spouse romantically and reviving their own deep feelings towards their partner, the same can be true in our relationship to God. I believe this type of "commitment to feelings," as it might be derogatorily termed, is beneficial to both. And of course, although worship has no more to do with music than does romance, both can be served by it.
3. Musicians are given priestly status.
When music is seen as a means to encounter God, worship leaders and musicians are vested with a priestly role. They become the ones who bring us into the presence of God rather than Jesus Christ who alone has already fulfilled that role. Understandably, when a worship leader or band doesn't help me experience God they have failed and must be replaced. On the other hand, when we believe that they have successfully moved us into God’s presence they will attain in our minds a status that is far too high for their own good.
3. Musicians are given priestly status.
When music is seen as a means to encounter God, worship leaders and musicians are vested with a priestly role. They become the ones who bring us into the presence of God rather than Jesus Christ who alone has already fulfilled that role. Understandably, when a worship leader or band doesn't help me experience God they have failed and must be replaced. On the other hand, when we believe that they have successfully moved us into God’s presence they will attain in our minds a status that is far too high for their own good.
I definitely don't want priestly status! That's way too dangerous of a place to be. However, the term worship leader is used for a reason (even in the Bible), and I do want to do my best to lead others into a worship of God that would be considered, as Jesus said, "In spirit and in truth." If I am successfully leading OUR focus to be on God, then there should be no instance where I become too important in someone's eyes. "Should," of course is the important word there.
4. Division is increased.
If we identify a feeling as an encounter with God, and only a particular kind of music produces that feeling, then we will insist that same music be played regularly in our church or gatherings. As long as everyone else shares our taste then there is no problem. But if others depend upon a different kind of music to produce the feeling that is important to them then division is cultivated. And because we routinely classify particular feelings as encounters with God our demands for what produce those feelings become very rigid. This is why so many churches succumb to offering multiple styles of worship services. By doing so, they unwittingly sanction division and self-centeredness among the people of God.
4. Division is increased.
If we identify a feeling as an encounter with God, and only a particular kind of music produces that feeling, then we will insist that same music be played regularly in our church or gatherings. As long as everyone else shares our taste then there is no problem. But if others depend upon a different kind of music to produce the feeling that is important to them then division is cultivated. And because we routinely classify particular feelings as encounters with God our demands for what produce those feelings become very rigid. This is why so many churches succumb to offering multiple styles of worship services. By doing so, they unwittingly sanction division and self-centeredness among the people of God.
I agree about offering multiple worship services for the sake of worship (read music) style. I can't seem to justify this in my head even though I've thought about it for some time. As Todd said, it seems it's just a way for us to become more self-centered.
In a marriage relationship--as with our God-relationship--our focus should be selfless and centered on Christ. If we are doing that relationship corporately, as in a worship service, we should be selfless in that context. In my mind, that looks like a Christian willing to participate in whatever style of music or lack of music that it takes to please our Lord. Since He has already said He's concerned about the softness and freshness our heart, my goal is to choose those styles which facilitate a newness and the freshness from the congregation that is expected in a relationship.
Flowers every Friday might be a nice tradition, but if that's the only affection a husband shows his wife, it has a high potential of turning stale. Similarly, it IS good to have helpful traditions in our relationship with God, however, there must also always be a newness. Furthermore, when the Psalmist said "sing to the Lord a new song," I believe he was talking about MUCH MORE than style and genre. If this passage doesn't apply to the newness of our hearts (even with old songs!) our attempts to apply it to music itself will fall incredibly short.
Flowers every Friday might be a nice tradition, but if that's the only affection a husband shows his wife, it has a high potential of turning stale. Similarly, it IS good to have helpful traditions in our relationship with God, however, there must also always be a newness. Furthermore, when the Psalmist said "sing to the Lord a new song," I believe he was talking about MUCH MORE than style and genre. If this passage doesn't apply to the newness of our hearts (even with old songs!) our attempts to apply it to music itself will fall incredibly short.
