The Church in the Culture

Anthony W. Brooks

When we address this issue, I want to be as fair as possible. There are many Christians in culturally conforming churches. I know many Christians in these settings, and they do live holy lives. But I want to challenge this mindset of conforming with the times. I want to challenge it at its source. What is that source? Human preference.

First, I want to start with what I believe the church should look like. I say what “I believe”, not because I think I am wrong, but because I am willing to be corrected if I am wrong.

“Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling…” Ps. 2:11

Something I believe that churches forget is that worship isn’t for us. We go to church to be filled, yes! But it isn’t primarily to give us the experience of worship but give God the exultation he deserves. Churches add to the services things that are not prescribed by the scriptures. If we truly believe that the scriptures are sufficient to tell us all things necessary for the living a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3), then shouldn’t that extend to the church’s worship as well?

In the book of Exodus the Lord laid out a strict pattern of worship for the people of God. This pattern was to be followed without fault else the Lord would curse them. He was so particular about this worship that he even designed his own dwelling place, the Tabernacle, and inspired its builders to follow that strict pattern. (see Exodus 25 through the end of the book). How can we think he is any less picky today?

An objection that is normally brought up is that there isn’t a set list of requirements in the New Testament for our worship. I say that though this list isn’t organized, it is there.

In his article on Regulative Principle of Worship, Derek Thomas points out the prescribed points in 

scripture:

“Particular elements of worship are highlighted: reading the Bible (1 Tim. 4:13); preaching the Bible (2 Tim. 4:2); singing the Bible (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) — the Psalms as well as Scripture songs that reflect the development of redemptive history in the birth-life-death-resurrection- ascension of Jesus; praying the Bible — the Father’s house is “a house of prayer” (Matt. 21:13); and seeing the Bible in the two sacraments of the church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38–39; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Col. 2:11–12). In addition, occasional elements such as oaths, vows, solemn fasts and thanksgivings have also been recognized and highlighted (see Westminster Confession of Faith 21:5).”

Read the entire article here.

What are the implications of going beyond scripture on this? Well, we don’t know what pleases or offends God in additions to his worship. One common example amongst evangelical churches is the addition of “alter calls” at the end of the sermon. This is where the Pastor calls the congregation to the front to accept Christ or pray for infirmities. I have experienced alter calls my whole spiritual life and seen life changing commitments in these calls. But, in my view, the benefits do not outweigh the negative impact the alter call brings to the church. On top of it being a relatively new innovation to the service, it promotes a sort of Phariseeism in the church. Personal public prayer at the front of the sanctuary can bring an attitude of holiness to the congregation. “So and so is holier than me because he went to the front this morning and I didn’t. I’ll have to go next week…” Just as well, Christ tells us where our prayer should take place…

Matthew 6:5 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (KJV)

There is nothing wrong with personal prayer in the service, or prayer groups, but setting aside a separate place and time for personal responsive prayer as a part of the service is unbiblical and destructive.

What does this have to do with culture?

The culture has engaged in unreverent forms of worship in their churches. Worship has turned into a rock concert and a devotion. Scripture is separated, and the Old Testament is thrown away. There are no more confessions, creeds, or standards for orthodox doctrine. Instead we adopt dishonest phrases like “no book but the Bible” and “no creed but Christ” … When, if we were to think logically, these statements fall short of reality and logic. All of us have an interpretation of the Bible. Many of us are untaught and unstable and are prone to distort the scriptures by private interpretation (2 Peter 3:16). Therefore faithful, taught, and stable men in the past have gathered in synods and councils (using faithful exegesis of the scriptures. Very important!) To construct faithful statements of faith and creeds that guide the church in orthodoxy. Many of the current denominations in the world today were formed despite these statements… (I.e. The Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, and many non-denominational churches).

This disregard for the Regulative principle and confessionalism has led to the formation of the Liberal Christianity the J Gresham Machen rightly identified as another religion, churches that engage in social justice, and churches that have engaged in cultism and heresy. Along with doctrinal short fallings… this also creates a church with no real devotion to the scriptures (or parts of the scriptures) and we get a church who only quotes John 3:16 out of context every Sunday. The culture now becomes the lens through which we determine the worship and doctrine of the church. This is a problem, and it is even happening in conservative Reformed churches.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Picture: The Banner of the RPCNA (Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America). This is a church that follows the strict example of the Covenanters in Scotland who practiced strict adherence to the Regulative Principle of Worship and Confessional subscription.