Abundant Life: November/December 2008

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What is Worship?

The question “What is worship?” is generating a fair amount of controversy and electronic ink in the Internet world of blogs and online magazines. Some brethren seem to be trying to break new ground in worship, announcing “You will search the New Testament in vain to find the idea of a ‘worship service’” and that “all of life is worship - even brushing your teeth.” Much of this is based on extensive work in original languages, with Hebrew terms like shachah and Greek words like proskuneo liberally mixed into the conversation. The results are well expressed in an article by Digby L. James: “Singing hymns and giving testimonies, hearing a preacher and enjoying Christian fellowship, is not worshiping, although we speak of such activities as a ‘worship service.’ To worship God is simply to bow down to His will, recognizing and acknowledging that His will is best.” The article goes on to say “A Christian is a worshiper of God and worships God all of the time, in everything that they do.” Where brethren will go with such ideas remains to be seen but already some are saying there is no such thing as the “five acts of worship.” What do we make of all of this? Let me offer a few simple observations on worship.

Another Testament of Christ’s?

In another triumph of Madison Avenue, a commercial has aired on television in which an attractive and articulate couple portraying husband and wife are discussing spiritual values which they favored, for themselves, and their family. The climax was reached when the woman announced that “we have another testament of Jesus Christ” … and produced a copy of the Book Of Mormon. Give credit where it is due: the commercial has superb production values, it was well written and well performed; persuasive, as far as the information presented goes.

Does History Really Repeat Itself?

The current swoon of the stock market has caused much talk of the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Will it occur again? Does history really repeat itself? The Bible shows that some historical themes do repeat themselves. This little article will explore one of these ‘repeat themes’ and then make application to our lives.