Natural versus Spirit

On page 104 of Gospel Worship it says, "If men act by natural parts, those will not carry them through difficulties and discouragements. But if you act by the Spirit of God, though you meet with such difficulties and discouragements, you will be carried through them all." How much greater are difficulties when, though we are doing the right thing, we do it by our natural parts, and not by the Spirit? I wonder how often I pray for God to help me through something, but I'm praying not truly believing, just praying because I know that's what I need to do?

Sacred Music

I was raised using the term sacred music, and I thought that that was how everyone thought of music in the church. I quickly found out that not everyone has heard church music called sacred music. It seems to me that music in the church should be thought of as sacred no matter the style, but I'm not sure what people think of when they hear the term sacred music.

Can Johnny Sing and Preach Great Theology....

...without removing himself from the culture he has grown up in?  I appreciate Dr. Gordon's concern for keeping our movement of American Christian churches from throwing away the great gifts God has given us, like a rich theological heritage and church history.  However, I have myself witnessed many serious Christians who promote biblical teaching and use rock music as the primary form of church music.

When you fry an egg, you throw away the shell because you can't eat it.  But you keep what is inside- what the egg actually is.  Is it possibly to do this with rock music?

Is it possible to keep the music and throw away its worthless qualities?

Humility Defined

Jeremiah Burroughs in pages 101-103 addresses the subject of humility. For clarity's sake, how would the Christian distinguish between low self-esteem and humility? Are they altogether the same thing?

The Significance of Worship

In Gordon's book on page 56 it says, "Human creativity is a matter of imitating God the Creator; it may very well be the most significant thing humans do, so it is not "merely" anything, and it is surely not "merely a matter of taste". The worship of God is such a holy matter, something so different than anything else we do in our lives. Yet, we treat it as just another part of our weekly routine, and something that we can decide how we want it done. Why is it so difficult for believers to grasp the concept that worshipping God is not an ordinary or insignificant task?

Contextualization?

In reading through T. David Gordon's section on form and content, I was really struggling to see where he strikes the balance in his progression. As a musician, I totally understand the importance of dynamics of a song (Crescendo, decrescendo, etc.), but I'm having trouble following his argument against "contemporary" style.

How does contextualization fit into all of this?

Is worship just to God?

Jeremiah Burroughs is clear on page 91 that worship is for God alone.  But God doesn't need our worship; He simply deserves it.  It is only fitting for us to give Him credit for everything He is and everything He does, but is that for His benefit, or ours?  I know the New Testament has some places that seem like corporate worship is for the purpose of singing to each other.  Does that take away from the God-alone purpose of worship?  Are they mutually exclusive?

Gospel-centered Worship

In the book "Give Praise to God" on pages 136-137 it is speaking about expositional preaching and how it needs to be evangelistic. Dever also explains that expositional preaching combined with evangelistic preaching should not be apart from Christ, that sin should be lovingly taught to bring the lost to inheriting salvation, and that we are not trying to win the losts' approval but their souls. What would it look like in our worship to God in the church if everything we did from praying to singing to the preaching of God's Word was gospel-centered?

Who's behind this?

I very much enjoy David Gordon's  genuine concern for worship and how it is to be carried out. However, pg. 61 in, Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns, caught my attention. He seems to imply that guitar cannot be a serious instrument. He uses an argument regarding his students using classical music and hymns for weddings and serious occasions. 1-2 years ago my sister got hitched...married. I walked my sister down the aisle to my eldest brother playing guitar. Now, needless to say he was not pulling out a Van Halen lick while she walked (maybe he secretly was). My point is, Does it not depend on the instrumentalist and how he uses that instrument to determine the seriousness of it's form? Let me clarify. Famous banjo-virtuoso Bela Fleck does not use his instrument for mere hill-billy licks. In Musicianship (courtesy of David McGrew), we had the privilege of listening to very serious- sounding classical pieces performed on the banjo. Is Mr. Fleck unwise to do such a thing? Or is it one of many ways to approach a Bach Invention? P.S.- Sorry I couldn't be there. I'm trying to get over a sinus infection! 

A Case of Conscience

Burroughs addressed the issue of postponing a duty because one may feel unfit to perform it. He considered this a temptation from the devil. The ommission of a duty in the present will not make it any easier in the future. In fact, the more you say "no" to something the Lord calls you to do, the easier it becomes to just stop alltogether. It is a very slippery slope. (Pg. 71-73 Gospel Worship)

Corporate Worship and Grace

In the book "Give Praise to God" on pages 96-97 Clowney says, "Corporate worship is a means of grace in the singing of the church". I truly do not know what he means by this statement. How does corporate worship minister grace to the congregation?

What does contemporary mean?

I have noticed from T. David Gordon's book a gap between "contemporary" and "traditional" songs.  Page 47 has a list of criteria that he says fits hymns better than worship songs.  But until the 1950s, did "contemporary" even exist?  I am sure Martin Luther's songs were sung during his lifetime, so shouldn't we base the quality of song on its contents, not its age?


Picture from picture-newsletter.com.  Used by permission.

Resources

I found Gordon's articulation of our skewed view of "traditional" songs such as "How Great Thou Art" very thought provoking (pgs. 41-42). He presents a very good observation that really seems to point out how uneducated we are in the area of church history specifically in the sphere of worship.

What are some good resources to study music history in the church?

Where can we find some of the truly traditional hymns?

Gospel Worship

Gospel Worship is the joyful sanctifying of God’s name by glorifying God as God in the face of Jesus Christ through the enablement of the Holy Spirit.

knowledge about God into knowledge of God

"How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God." J.I. Packer [b. July 22, 1926]

the two beat rhythm of worship: Revelation Response

"It is impossible to honor God as we ought, unless we know him as he is." Stephen Charnock [1628-1680]

Prepare to Worship

In Burroughs book he stated the importance of preparing your heart for worship. He then mentioned the great amount of time that was lost in worship when we do not come prepared. Instead of coming before God ready to worship, we often go to God, and half-way through worship or prayer we are finally at a spot where our hearts are close enough to God's. I know atleast I am often guilty of this. It is sad to think of all the time I have wasted in both church and prayer because I did not properly prepare myself to come before God.

Hymns and Worship Songs

What is a healthy balance for hymns and worship songs in a service?
Sometimes hymns and contemporary worship songs are separated into two services because two different types of people attend service. But I'm of the mindset that I would like to worship God with both, and I often think about and wonder what would be a good mix of the two in a church service.

Expectations

I really appreciated the way Burroughs writes about the need for preparing for worship personally. I think that oftentimes we assess worship band members merely on willingness and talent rather that worthiness of the person's walk with Christ (Hopefully that didn't sound too judgmental). This was a big issue in my church back home...

What would you say are the tangible expectations/qualifications for those who lead in worship?