
What is Biblical Worship? (Part 3)
Does the Apostle Paul agree with my definition that worship is the celebration of God as Creator and Redeemer, and how does he develop it in light of Jesus Christ? I have chosen the benediction of Ephesians 1:3-14 as a representative summary of Paul's view of the Christian life as a life of worship. C.H. Dodd concluded that Ephesians as a whole represents “the crown of Paulinism,”1 presenting a remarkably rich summary of the gospel and the Christian life. If so, Paul's choice

What is Biblical Worship? (Part 2)
We move from Daniel to the Psalms as a testing ground for my definition of worship, and especially of my choice of the word celebration – ceremonies marked by festivity and rejoicing – as appropriate summary description of worship. I serve in the Reformed tradition. Deep in that tradition is the conviction that the covenantal relationship between God and his people is characterized by mutual joy: he rejoices over his people and we respond in joy through acts of service, inclu

What is Biblical Worship?
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” A slogan at Apple Computers (1977) What exactly is worship according to the Bible? A common use of worship today is as a synonym for Christian music - we worship, stop to pray, start worshiping again, stop to read Scripture and hear the sermon, and respond in worship. I am going to develop a much more expansive vision of worship, that embraces everything from the things we do gathered in the presence of God as a Christian community