To insist on a free-floating session of songs and prayers at the whim of one leader is not to strike a blow against ritualism but is to put that leader precisely in the place where the reformers saw the mediaeval priest; the person who comes between the worshippers and God. Good liturgy preserves us from personality cults whether Catholic or Protestant.
This short quote comes from a lecture on Biblical Worship that Tom Wright gave at Calvin College in 2002. I found it very helpful in thinking through why I so often feel dissatisfied at what we tend to call ‘worship’ in contemporary settings. I have chosen one of the more polemical quotes (found at at about 54 mins); the lecture, as a whole, is balanced and nuanced – and well worth a listen (or a read if you prefer).
From the blurb on the website.
Biblically correct worship—is there such a thing? This presentation discussed the trend from structured liturgical to free-flowing worship and helped determine if this is biblical. Are there biblical guidelines for worship? Is the fashion for rock-group-style worship a pure gift from God or a capitulation to the spirit of the age? Wright led listeners on spiritual journey regarding how to best glorify God and reflect his image in the world through worship.
17 replies on “NT Wright on Worship”
NT Wright on Worship http://t.co/c5VFcZ9LDk
Timothy Tennant says a very similar thing on a blog he wrote a couple of years ago for Asbury Seminary called ‘A Modest proposal (for worship?)’
Is this the link you are thinking about Darrell? http://timothytennent.com/2012/03/05/a-proposal-to-unplug-worship/
“NT Wright on Worship” http://t.co/SC18uyRMGd
Thanks for both of these, Eddie. I haven’t listened to Wright yet but I find myself wholeheartedly agreeing with Tennant.
Wright’s artcile is refreshing and inspiring. As a person who deosn’t particularly feel like he worships by singing, I appreciate the reminder. Thanks Eddie
Tennant was really good at LST lecture. I hope that it will be published
Love LOVE LUV IT! The day we even consider not stopping to robustly and aggressively sort out answers to these kind of questions we are in trouble. And hey! If we discussed it and sorted it yesterday, we need to discuss it again today. The only thing that will never change – is the need for change. Music, styles, structure or lack of it, it all needs constant re examination.
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That’s the link, Eddie . At 1.15 this morning I was having problems with my recollectory.
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Thanks Eddie. Rod and I listened to NT Wright together this evening. Very providential timing because we had just been discussing the very issue as Rod had just read similar in TF Torrance ‘Theology in Reconciliation’. He loves NT Wright but also recommends TF Torrance if you haven’t already discovered him especially his work called Incarnation.
thanks for this Eddie and the link in your blog – I just finished reading the NT Wright paper found here http://ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Biblical_Worship.htm – good for mind and heart I found.
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