Regulating Principles
Posted by RazorsKissMar 10
Lately I’ve found myself more and more uncomfortable with certain practices in, at least, our SBC church. Which ones, you ask?
1) Raising hands.
2) Revivals.
3) Altar calls.
4) Applause after “special music.”
5) Children’s Church.
6) Skits or drama in worship services.
Now, before you get annoyed about this, let’s examine something. Baptists, as a rule, have subscribed to something called the “Regulative Principle of Worship”. What this principle posits is that only those things which have scriptural models are allowable in Christian worship. When you don’t have a Scriptural model for something – what, then, is your model? In other words – are we believers in Sola Scriptura, or are we not?
I’m thinking about doing a short series on what the regulative principle seems to say in regards to the above practices, and to see if they can accord with Scripture – for my own benefit, as much as that of others. As I have time to do so, I will. In the meantime, what do you think?
2 comments
Comment by Eddie Exposito on March 10, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Part of the problem in discussing this topic is the mistake many make in viewing NT corporate worship from the position of OT temple worship. This error leads one to a series of positions such as a high liturgy, exclusive psalmody and acapella-only music in service. John 6 and the woman at the well has a lot to teach us in this regard me thinks.
God has commanded us to worship Him in spirit and in truth and has always determined that our praise and thanksgiving would be from a position of reverence, honor, and order. Those are good points of reference and principle. Our worship as the Body of Christ is to be before the One who has given us all things so that we may bring Him and Him alone glory – the audience of One.
Here are some questions that I ask about our service on a regular basis:
– does this activity revere God? does it honor Him?
– is it promoting order or chaos?
– is this reverential? is the casualness of this taking away from our honoring?
– are we stagnated? if so, why? have we gotten long-winded?
– are we so uptight about ‘regulation’ that we are now stiff, cold, and without joy?
– have we ‘regulated’ real joy and real emotion right out of the service?
– are we just following current fads?
That being said – here are a few comments about your list:
1) Raising hands.
Taught practice. Copy cats. Is this a real felt affection towards God or just imitation of what others do? Ancient Jews never raised hands over their heads I’ve been told, it was seen as prideful.
If genuine? I see nothing necessarily wrong with it. Me? I feel like a nerd doing it so I don’t.
2) Revivals.
Manufactured emotion to get em saved. Real revival comes from the Holy Spirit, not a tent and tambourine and a week of messages.
3) Altar calls.
Finney!!! blah! Manipulated mess fueled by bad theology, good intentions, and a 4 minute hymn sung for 20. Calling men to Christ is not the same as this sad tradition.
4) Applause after “special music.”
This doesn’t necessarily bother me though I see how it could. The key is – why are we clapping? If it is to show our appreciation to God for the wonderful talent of the musicians/singers in using their gift for His praise? then great. If its to draw attention to the performer as if this is a concert for men? Sit down and stop clapping.
5) Children’s Church.
We live in the land of no discipline. Hyped-up medicated kids are sadly our norm and most folks speak all too often about how much children are a burden/challenge rather than a blessing from God. Not all children’s churches exist for this reason, but certainly many parents like em so they can be a babysitter while they take a break. Another notion fueling this move is that children cannot somehow understand what the adult church is all about – a need to bring the text down to their level.
This is not necessary bad/evil/wrong either, but in my opinion that’s the job of the preacher/pastor to learn to speak to families/all ages and not just one bracket of people.
While I’m not against children’s church carte blanche … I do find most of it to be simply silly and aiding in segregating the family.
6) Skits or drama in worship services
Ghey is what comes to mind, as if the corporate worship of the Body of Christ should contain some juvenile summer camp-like skit in order to be effective? This one makes me nuts. You want a skit? you want a play or drama? Have a seperate night/event and have fun. In the corporate time of worship? Me no likes. This is not a high school pep rally
Comment by Bethany on March 23, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Eddie, thank you so much for that! That was a great comment! 🙂