Category Archives: Real Worship

As so often happens, a comment by Guy got me to thinking. Guy wrote, The issue is which sub-purpose(s) ought to dictate the content of the assembly.  That is, what does this general question imply about the particular design and … Continue reading →

Worship wars It’s been some time since I posted links to iMonk’s articles about the worship wars. Here they are again — http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/arant-from-a-loser-in-the-worship-wars http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/let-me-restate-that The blogger was writing about the worship wars, but from outside the Churches of Christ. In … Continue reading →

The Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper is so rich with meaning that it’s hard to know what to emphasize. Let’s go with — (1Co 10:16 ESV) 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation [koinonia] in … Continue reading →

1 Corinthians 14 In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul deals with a question regarding whether certain actions should be permitted in the assembly. Are tongues permitted? What about prophecy? In answering, Paul does not refer to a list of authorized acts. Rather, … Continue reading →

The assembly in light of the New Testament texts Hebrews 10 You’ll notice that there’s not much in the “worship” passages about the Sunday morning assembly. The scriptures certainly assume that God’s people will gather together, but the assembly is … Continue reading →

The assembly in light of the Story We start in the Garden. The question is: How did Adam worship? Was there a bunch of rules and do’s and don’t’s? No, I think his worship is found in — (Gen 3:8a … Continue reading →

The Greek word for “church” or “congregation” has fascinating roots in the Old Testament — roots that are rarely taught in my tribe. Consider — (Deu 4:9-10 ESV)  9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget … Continue reading →

Only now are we ready to understand John 4 — (John 4:19-20 ESV) 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem … Continue reading →

Just as was true of proskuneo, there’s an obvious contrast between ritualized, specified, rules-based worship of the Old Testament and a radically different kind of worship in the New Testament. The words used of Old Testament ritual are never applied … Continue reading →

Latreuo in the Old Testament Latreuo is sometimes translated “service” and sometimes “worship.” It has its own interesting story. We first see the word when God calls Moses — (Exo 3:12 ESV) 12 He said, “But I will be with … Continue reading →