The regulative principle was defined by john calvin as follows. This means that rather than thinking about what we enjoy in worship, lets instead think about what god expects of us. If we are not seeking scripture to define how we worship god then we are fundamentally not seeking the worship of god. The opposite of the regulative principle is the inventive principle, which has roman catholicism as its chief proponent. The regulative principle of worship and christmas by brian schwertley free online book. In other words, the regulative principle for worship is the same as the. The regulative principle of worship in christian theology teaches that the public worship of god should include those and only those elements that are instituted, commanded, or appointed by command or example in the bible. The regulative principles says, lets worship god as he wants to be worshiped. We have also seen that the puritan regulative principle of worship has been fraught with difficulties from the very beginning. In this volume johnson argues a cogent biblical case for worship according to the historic understanding of the regulative principle. The regulative principle of worship ordained servantvol. The bible also tells us what to do in his worship that is the regulative principle. Mar 20, 20 three principles for reformed and reforming worship what we the church do in our worship is not some invented thing, an attempt at pleasing a god who is unknowable. And the answer is already implied in our firm adherence to the bible as the inspired word of god the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
In america, by far the most popular, honored day is not the lords day but christmas. That we in no wise make any image of god, nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded us in his word. Rather than scripture providing the directive for how we are to conduct public worship, the church is seen as the final authority in such matters. Everyone has a regulative principle headhearthand blog. Most people have never heard of these principles before. Since the end of the creation week, god has commanded that one day in seven be set aside as a day of rest and worship gen. The regulative principle is the understanding of how christians are to worship god as instructed in the bible. The regulative principle is the reformed view of how god regulates our worship and provides that worship is by divine appointment.
Worship as god requires understanding and applying the regulative principle of worship. First, i want to examine what has historically been called the regulative principle to see what god has to say about how hes approached in worship. The regulative principle of worship rpw is the doctrine that everything of religious significance in worship must be prescribed in holy scripture, either explicitly or by good and necessary consequence, such that. Granted, those are excellent questions, but i think they miss the point of the regulative principle of worship. Jun 30, 2017 if we believe that scripture is superior to all others, the ultimate authority of faith and practice, is infallible and is god breathed then here in lies our basis for the regulative principle.
This book masterfully defines, explains, and defends the reformed principle of worship the regulative principle. Generally speaking, the regulative principle is held by those who are reformed. They taught this because they understood perhaps better than any christians who ever lived that the way worship. The regulative principle of worship is the principle that god in his word tells us how to worship him.
Normative worship looks at the other side of the coin. The regulative principle of worship defined we can only approach god on his own terms, not only for salvation, but also in worship. The regulative and normative principles of worship new. One could even argue that the other great principal doctrines of the reformation such as sola gratia. It states that worship of god can only be properly accomplished by what is commanded in scripture or by what can be deduced from scripture and without. Apr 05, 2017 i want to discuss worship with a twofold aim. In other words, it is the belief that god institutes in scripture whatever he requires for worship in the church, and everything else should be avoided. The whole book of hebrews is, among other things, an extended application of the regulative principle. Nov 05, 2007 awesome principles on how to worship the lord. My understanding, on the other hand, is that it describes a new covenant worship or at least aspects of one, and more specifically the worship before the throne of god.
Every christian has a regulative principle, a rule or rules which regulates the content and conduct of worship. This book is a good start in understanding the how and why of biblical worship. Presbyterian churches have traditionally been guided by what has come to be called the regulative principle, based on the westminster confession of faith. In more places than is commonly imagined, including the constant stipulation of the book of exodus with respect. Some refer to this as an exclusive view or practice of worship because it excludes anythin g that is not directly instructed or at least shown in the pages of scripture. One could even argue that the other great principal doctrines of the reformation such as sola gratia, sola fide are logically dependent upon sola scriptura. Hi john, the question isnt whether there are anglicans who still believe historic reformed doctrine e. The writer has written in a manner that any with a concern for this paramount issue will be able to follow his argument. Sola scriptura and the regulative principle of worship. Gores thesis may provoke some rethinking of principles of worship in years to come. We have seen that the puritan regulative principle of worship was an exaggeration of, and departure from, the worship practice of john calvin, whom the puritans regarded as a leading father in the faith. The reformers and the puritans have no doubt profoundly affected the church of jesus christ. The regulative principle of worship is a christian doctrine, held by some calvinists and anabaptists, that god commands churches to conduct public services of worship using certain distinct elements affirmatively found in scripture, and conversely, that god prohibits any and all other practices in public worship.
Would the use of a phrase span the spectrum between the regulative and normative principles of worship in a presbytery document signal that rpw is no longer even expected in the pca. The regulative principle of worship christian reformed. In elaborating this principle, however, calvin and his successors are much clearer on the negative than they are on the positive. Regulative principle of worship midcities presbyterian. In john 4, we have the two fundamental sides of the regulative principle of worship. The regulative principle of worship is a christian doctrine, held by some calvinists and anabaptists, that god commands churches to conduct public services of. Most are familiar with the socalled regulative principle of worship, that, in the words of the westminster confession, the acceptable way of worshipping the true god is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the. After knoxs first sermon, he and john rough were called before a convention of papal clerics to answer for certain doctrines which the protestants had espoused. The regulative principle of worship rpw is the doctrine that everything of religious significance in worship must be prescribed in holy scripture, either explicitly or by good and necessary consequence, such that whatever.
You see there is no neutrality in the way in which we approach god in worship. Normative vs regulative principle the puritan board. For john calvin, it was the issue of worship that necessitated the reformation. Jan 11, 2017 that we in no wise make any image of god, nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded us in his word. The regulative principle merely expresses the important truth that god is perfect and knows best how he ought to be worshiped. After some years it was determined that the book would not be published. God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by his word.
The regulative principle is one of a number of ways used to describe how gods word governs our corporate worship. Regulative worship relies upon scripture to dictate specifically what is allowed in worship. Apr 17, 2018 in other words, corporate worship should be comprised of those elements we can show to be appropriate from the bible. The regulative principle of worship is gods ordained law for worship. So if we asked, was richard hookeror is anglican worship opposed to the regulative principle of worship. The past three decades have seen not only a growing ecumenical consensus but also. Articles on puritan worship and the regulative principle.
The regulative principle, which is the historic way by which reformed people have addressed the worship issue, speaks both to truth and spirit. Let it be clear from the outset that my questions about the reformed regulative principle for public worship do not spring from doubts about what i take to be its main thrust. And he was involved in at least one feast, the feast of dedication john 10. If we are not seeking scripture to define how we worship god then we are fundamentally not seeking the worship of. When i told a friend i was writing a book on worship, her response was, why. Which is correct, the regulative principle or the normative. For example, churches following the regulative principle in. The regulative principle of worship maintains that scripture gives specific guidelines for conducting corporate worship services and that churches must not add anything to those guidelines. The regulative principle of worship and christmas by brian. The regulative principle of worship and christmas brian schwertley introduction what is the most popular holy day of the year. We believe that the church should be educated, and that in todays technological age, they should have open access to scripturally sound and theologically edifying christian literature from the reformation and the puritans. The regulative principle of worship holds that we worship god in the manner he has commanded us in his word. What god commands in worship must be done, and what he does not command in worship is forbidden.
Sola scriptura and the regulative principle of worship brian schwertley introduction sola scriptura is one of the fundamental principles of the protestant reformation. Best theological books on worship the puritan board. Frame, john some questions about the regulative principle. The regulative principle of worship has clear implications for those who want to promote the celebration of christmas. If it isnt in the bible, it cannot be in a worship setting. Puritan worship and the regulative principle of worship. The growing influence of the anglican tradition in reformed. A report by the theology committee of the association of reformed baptist churches of. A symposium to state and clarify the scriptural teachings concerning worship with emphasis on the use of the biblical psalms in christian worship. Does the regulative principle demand exclusive psalmody. The regulative principle of worship christian reformed ink. I would say that many people even confuse worship with music and singing songs or interchange them.
The regulative principle of worship by derek thomas. The regulative and normative principles of worship brief history of the principles. Foundational principles the regulative principle defined the regulative principle defended the regulative principle in history the regulative principle applied to the invitation system christian liberty accommodation applying the. Christians beat each other up trying to discern exactly where the offering should go in the service or precisely which kinds of instruments have scriptural warrant. Mar 11, 2016 most students of the reformation recognize that martin luther discovered more accurately rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone and that ulrich zwingli discovered the symbolic interpretation of the lords supper.
On this section of the site, the reader will find a number of works that hold a christian view, puritan view, a reformed view, of the regulative principle, and some other important matters throughout the history of the church, one of the most important topics found throughout the bible, or, for that matter, the lives of the most wellknown people of god, is the nature of true worship. Pictures of christ, the second commandment regulative principle of worship and idolatry many free reformed resources. The regulative principle of worship is often contrasted with the normative principle of worship, which teaches that whatev er is not prohibited in scripture is permitted in. The regulative principle of worship in the old testament the second commandment in covenanter, puritan and reformation worship by greg price free mp3 and video the regulative principle of worship in the new testament the second commandment in covenanter, puritan and reformation worship by greg price free mp3 and video. The various essays were gathered in a book in january 1974, entitled, the biblical doctrine of worship. For example, churches following the regulative principle in worship often do not use musical instruments. Jun, 2003 the regulative principle, which is the historic way by which reformed people have addressed the worship issue, speaks both to truth and spirit. The former locates the regulative authority in principles rather than the specifics of scripture with a broader sense of expediency, but the stricter version locates the regulative principle in the explicit or necessarily implied specifics of the text. Which is correct, the regulative principle or the normative principle of worship. All that has preceded has been helpful in determining that the regulative principle of worship, as formulated by the puritans and as adopted by the divines at the westminster assembly, is unworkable. Hart and muether discuss two key reformed principles of worship, the regulative and the dialogical. Time and again it is clear that there was a desire to be in bondage again to the weak and beggarly elements of the old testament ceremonial worship gal.
Everything we do in worship must be divinely warranted. Either we approach the living god according to his revealed word i. It is sometimes simplified to only what god has commanded in scripture is acceptable in public worship. When did the term regulative principle referring to worship arise. If jesus did not follow the regulative principle of worship, claims gore, then neither should we. Even the most extreme worship leader has some limit on what he or she deems acceptable in the worship of god. The regulative principle of worship free presbyterian.
Regulative principle booksarticles the puritan board. Terry johnson concurs, and in this book he applies biblical principles to reform contemporary worship. Put simply, the regulative principle of worship states that the corporate worship of god is to be founded upon specific directions of scripture. Some of the most common regulative principles that people use today are. Does that disqualify the use of musical instruments. Matthew mcmahon articles on puritan worship and the regulative principle today, many christians are turning back to the puritans to, walk in the old paths, of gods word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies jesus christ. Gods glory, and our joyful celebration of it in worship, should be the focus and goal of all life and ministry. I submitted this paper as an article for a multiauthor book. Reformed worship in the global city, worship by the book, ed. While worship should be intelligible, it should not be confused with evangelistic outreach and therefore ought not to lose its alien nature and heavenly focus. Most people have never thought about corporate worship in any context other than what they grew up with. At its worst, this principle leads to constant friction and suspicion between believers. So my approach of accounting for the book of revelation in the liturgy is to simply say on earth as it is in heaven, and then to look at how it is done in heaven. It argues that the whole system of worship, commanded by god under the mosaic administration of gods covenant, is now obsolete 8.
Id argue that the psalms should be the backbone of the sung element of the churchs worship the psalms are the word of god to man and the word of man in response. Some were also quite willing to submit to the yoke of the commandments and. The most refreshing aspect of the book is the candor with which gore repudiates the teaching of the westminster assembly on worship. Worship that is according to scripture new 2010 reprint terry johnson on. The doctrine further determines these affirmed elements to be those set forth in.
John calvin on the regulative principle of worship by brian schwertley 4 free mp3s. The notion that god determines his worship is a hard sell today. The scriptural regulative principle of worship the. Second, i want to discuss how the scripture encourages us to apply this regulative principle in worship. At least, these reformers popularized those doctrines. I have encountered many things over the years, but thought that at least in name to remain confessional rpw was expected. On the surface, it is difficult to see why anyone who values the authority of scripture would find such a principle objectionable. A position paper concerning the regulative principle of worship.
Some questions about the regulative principlejohn m. The puritan critics of prayer book worship were insistent that a matter of basic principle was at stakeare we going to be ruled by gods word or not. Derek thomas put simply, the regulative principle of worship states that the corporate worship of god is to be founded upon specific directions of scripture. Is it christmas, easter, kwanzaa, or the christian sabbath. Typically they only apply these principles to the discipline of ecclesiology how we do worship in the church, but i believe that the concepts behind them are useful for christians as handles to help us get ahold of why we disagree on so many issues. Stonecampbell hermeneutics iv regulative principle. It distinguishes between elements of public worship, which dont change, and circumstances, which do.
The regulative principle of worship and christmas by. God has not left his church free to invent her own worship. If we believe that scripture is superior to all others, the ultimate authority of faith and practice, is infallible and is god breathed then here in lies our basis for the regulative principle. The reformers and puritans believed that how we worship is just as important as how we are saved. He has written several excellent books and articles on worship already, outlining important principles many have forgotten or ignored. The bible tells us to worship the one true and living god, to the exclusion of all the idols of false religion. The regulative principle of worship is a biblical doctrine. Three principles for reformed and reforming worship the. The regulative principle forces those who celebrate christmas to prove from scripture that god has authorized the celebrating of such a day. Carson, in worship by the book says, both principles have been understood and administered in both a stronger and a more attenuated way worship by the book, 54. The regulative principle of worship banner of truth usa. The regulative principle and the biblical principle of. This concept has subsequently been called the regulative principle of worship, because it regulates our approach to god in worship.
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