What is Biblical Worship? Part 5

TWO DEVIATING EXTREMES

There are two main extremes that pull Christians away from true worship. One of these extremes is primarily a result of the influence of enlightenment thinking. This side focuses mostly on the truth portion but leaves out worshiping in the Spirit. Their worship is almost entirely intellectual. When one element in the Scriptures is left out, the “followers” tend to deviate more and more until they are no longer serving God at all. When worship is primarily or entirely intellectual, it loses its power and worth. It seems (and is) empty. However, people want to ‘get it right’. So, they override God and seek to find concrete answers that are consistent and observable. Ironically, since this method makes people the ultimate mediator of truth, it also blinds them to the truth. They do not offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God but instead rely on a worldly way of thinking where their own self is the center, not God. In these circles, the main focus is on the sermon (like Puritans for example). One terrible aspect of this extreme is that understanding the Scriptures is seen as far beyond the understanding of the average person. People who lack the specific education are not credible, and the role of the Spirit is severely diminished. It is almost like people are trying to eliminate the need for faith and the need to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. What we have are people who think that they know something; people who deny others passage to understanding and who severely limit spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 8:1-2). They do this by creating a reliance on human methods and knowledge to dictate truth above the role of the Spirit. This makes those learning under this extreme just as blind as their teachers. They become disconnected from the Spirit. This is the modern day Pharisee. Things are done just for the sake of doing and are devoid of the spiritual aspects. The matters of the heart are diminished.

The other extreme relates primarily to seeing worship as contingent on emotions rather than on the truth of the Scriptures. Whether or not one has worshiped is based on how someone “feels”. If they do not get happy feelings or extreme feeling(s), they do not see it as worship. These groups tend to gravitate towards great performances and positive, worry free worship that makes them feel good. Granted, not all are like this but many are. This extreme usually leaves out the intellectual aspects in favour of emotional gratification. They are prone to deviate because their worship is not grounded in truth. This extreme usually becomes merged with the culture and features a lot of “I” language. Since the truth is not emphasized, worship becomes for the people and not for God. This extreme gradually undergoes secularization. Worship is then, “unable to feed, nourish, enhance, challenge, inspire, and shape the collective and individual life of our congregations in the way it should” (John Mark Ministries). This is an “I feel therefore I am” mentality. It is like they think, “I do not feel God; therefore, something or someone is wrong” (John Mark Ministries). Truth is equated with their emotions. If they cannot “feel” God then the “truth” must be wrong. This is why so many non-believers and even “intellectual” Christians frown upon those who say that they are following God! They do not know how to distinguish between their own thoughts and feelings and the leading of the Spirit! The Bible is not a manual to fulfill our needs. This extreme is very prone to Narcissism. Much of their music contains thin theology, which is aimed to satisfy the self, the sermons are more focused on “self help” to fulfill self needs rather than focusing on God. Christianity is not a religion that focuses on making life easier. Christianity is quite the opposite. Here, tradition is frowned upon, and the newest technology/method always seems to be better. However, worship does not depend on our personal taste, but on our obedience. The two extremes in worship described each leave out a vital element that makes true and acceptable worship impossible. It must be in both the Spirit and in truth.