"IS YOUR CHURCH WORSHIP
MORE PAGAN THAN CHRISTIAN? [Excerpts]
There is a great misunderstanding
in churches of the purpose of music in Christian worship. Churches routinely
advertise their "life-changing" or "dynamic" worship that will "bring you closer
to God" or "change your life." Certain worship CD's promise that the music will
"enable you to enter the presence of God." Even a flyer for a recent conference
for worship leaders boasted: "Join us for dynamic teaching to set you on the
right path, and inspiring worship where you can meet God and receive the energy
and love you need to be a mover and shaker in today's world...Alongside our
teaching program are worship events which put you in touch with the power and
love of God."
The problem with the flyer and
with many church ads is that these kinds of promises reveal a significant
theological error. Music is viewed as a means to facilitate an encounter with
God; it will move us closer to God. In this schema, music becomes a means of
mediation between God and man. But this idea is closer to ecstatic pagan
practices than to Christian worship.
Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. He alone is the One who brings us to God. The popular but mistaken notions regarding worship music undermine this foundational truth of the Christian faith. It is also ironic that while many Christians deny the sacramental role of those ordinances which the Lord Himself has given to the church (baptism and the Lord's Supper) they are eager to grant music sacramental powers. Music and "the worship experience" are viewed as means by which we enter the presence of God and receive his saving benefits. There is simply no evidence whatsoever in Scripture that music mediates direct encounters or experiences with God. This is a common pagan notion. It is far from Christian.
Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. He alone is the One who brings us to God. The popular but mistaken notions regarding worship music undermine this foundational truth of the Christian faith. It is also ironic that while many Christians deny the sacramental role of those ordinances which the Lord Himself has given to the church (baptism and the Lord's Supper) they are eager to grant music sacramental powers. Music and "the worship experience" are viewed as means by which we enter the presence of God and receive his saving benefits. There is simply no evidence whatsoever in Scripture that music mediates direct encounters or experiences with God. This is a common pagan notion. It is far from Christian.
[There are] four consequences of
viewing music as an encounter with God. I will summarize them.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Scripture is full of exhortations
to God's people to sing and make music to the Lord. Our God has been gracious to
give us this means to worship Him. But it is important to understand that music
in our worship is for two specific purposes: to honor God and to edify our
fellow believers. Unfortunately, many Christians tend to grant music a
sacramental power which Scripture never bestows upon it."
For more of this article, go to
I was sent this article in the October 16th 2014 "The Berean Call" newsletter, and just had to share it with you all. It says what I have been thinking for many, many years, and definitely contained Words of Life and Hope, which is what I want to share on this blog! The information covered is what destroyed the last church my husband and I belonged to, and in the process, destroyed the lives of most of the congregation (including one who actually committed suicide) who were deceived by the pastor of the church and his family, and assistant pastor and his family. I'm so glad that there are still people willing to speak out against this deception and point people in the right direction again.
God bless you, and peace be with you.
Hugs
Christine
My Nail Art Journey
chips48nailartjourney.blogspot.com
chips48nailartjourney.blogspot.com
