Posted on 11/06/2015 8:02:31 PM PST by SoFloFreeper
“Idolatry happens when we take good things and make them ultimate things.” ~Tim Keller
The following comparisons are meant to be provocative and evocative. Even if stark statements like these generalize and absolutize a bit too much, one thing I have learned from reading the reformers is that the discipline of "dialectic," as they called it (roughly, the practice of pitting ideas and statements against each other for the sake of disputation and dialogue), yields a lot of helpful clarifications. So, I encourage you to take these in that light.
These observations have overflowed from the boiling pot of my own wayward heart and ministry. Read one way, these are my personal confessions on public display. At one time or another, I have been guilty of crossing the line into all of these. Truth be told, for followers of Jesus, “worshiping God” versus “worshiping worship” is less an issue of either/or and more an issue of both/and--part of our lifelong journey of being simul justus et peccator. Christians who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them and yet still fight the sin in our members know that even our best praise is mixed with some idolatry. As Coral Ridge's weekly doxology sings, "My best good works are powerless to satisfy Your righteousness." May the Spirit continue to root out our idolatry and beat back the flesh. Lord, have mercy.
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Worshipers of God care less about their personal preferences in worship.
Worshipers of worship care intensely about their personal preferences in worship.
Worshipers of God are more easily blessed in worship.
Worshipers of worship are more easily bothered in worship.
Worshipers of God approach worship as receivers and vessels.
Worshipers of worship approach worship as appraisers and evaluators.
Worshipers of God tend to approach their pastors and worship leaders more often with words of encouragement and thankfulness.
Worshipers of worship tend to approach their pastors and worship leaders more often with words of criticism and admonishment.
Worshipers of God more instinctively flex when elements are out of their comfort zone.
Worshipers of worship more instinctively bristle when elements are out of their comfort zone.
Worshipers of God are inspired by beautiful art to love God more.
Worshipers of worship are inspired by beautiful art to love beautiful art more.
Worshipers of God easily overlook and forget glitches and “errors” that happen in worship.
Worshipers of worship fixate on and can’t get past glitches and “errors” that happen in worship.
Worshipers of God tend to leave a “good” worship service loving God more.
Worshipers of worship tend to leave a “good” worship service loving worship services more.
Worshipers of God tend to leave a “bad” worship service loving God more.
Worshipers of worship tend to leave a “bad” worship service bothered.
Worshipers of God tend to leave worship with a renewed sense of awe and thanksgiving.
Worshipers of worship tend to leave worship ready to dialogue about what worked and what didn’t.
Funny, reminds me of a song decades ago I solo’d in church by Marty McCall of Fireworks “It all comes down to you” about stripping away all the “worship and wonder filled with awe” ... Some words basically talking about how in worshipping we get caught up in the manifestations and not focus on God Himself. I stepped down and the pastor admonished me in front of the congregation. He didn’t get it.
I can relate to what this guy is saying having seen both sides for many years
You’ve taken the expression “Just sayin’...” to new lows.
So where are these worshipers this guy is talking about? Do they go to a specific church organization or is he speaking of church goers in general. I try not to put to much analysis into going to church. I’m there to be fed and to feed others. I do know the 80/20 rule eighty percent of the people complain about the twenty percent of the people doing all the work.
The best is probably some mix of excellence and fumbling that gets the Lord across but doesn’t tempt anybody to be proud of it. Treasures presented in clay vessels.
One of the best communions I was at was one where the fellow administering it had a senior moment and passed around the cups first, then the bread. Hey it did not fit the prescribed format, but one knew both elements meant something.
Right on the dot. Thanks for posting.
I don’t agree with much of this list. But I’ve been quite critical of worship services myself.
My criteria for a good worship service is fairly simple. Worship songs should be doctrinally correct and bring glory to God. They should be sung in a manner that is participatory and the musicians and singers shouldn’t draw attention to themselves.
Muslims love to use “direction” justifying their compass heading to the house of allah 5x aday!
Quote-Muslims love to use “direction†justifying their compass heading to the house of allah 5x aday!
But even Muslims stumble into His Holy Seventh Day Sabbath in their worship..
Just like Judaism and Christianity will on occasion..
And that little inconvenient Truth keeps lots from seeing what is meant by worshipping in Spirit and Truth.
Or worshipping in Spirit and error or falsehood..
And no religion has Truth cornered..Satan plays in all of them with a goal to steal worship..
My bigger point:
To locate allah they need a compass or if in a darkened room they need a painted florescent arrow pointing to direction of worship. As a side note a shahiha hadieth says the Kaaba use to be white but now blackened by all the absorbed sins of muslims through worship.
? I don’t understand.
As a sometime worship leader/band member myself, I don’t like the applause after every worship song. “Oh, they’re thanking/glorifying God!”. No, generally they’re not.
The difference between faith in God and organized religion.
Tim Keller is becoming one of my fav Christian writers. I’m reading Prodigal God for about the 2nd or 3rd time and his book on counterfeit gods was very eye opening for me.
Excellent article!
Hmmmm. I’ve got some things to work on.
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