The Second Commandment states, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the father upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments."
Whenever I've read this commandment I've taken it very simply to mean we're not supposed to make statues to bow down to and that God will punish those who disobey. However, His mercy and blessing on those who do obey is far greater and continues long after the punishment He gives to those who hate Him. The assembly who wrote the Catechism document had a more insightful conclusion than that though. In answering the questions "What is required in the second commandment?" and "What is forbidden in the second commandment?" they infer that we are to keep worship pure. They conclude like me, that this command forbids the worshipping images, but are quick to clarify that this command also forbids trying to worship the true living God through any images as well.
So here's some questions in light of those conclusions. How do we justify pictures of Jesus hanging in our homes or in the children's nursery at our church buildings? Why do people have statues of Mary on their lawns? Why do many churches around the world have carved, sculpted or stain glass images of saints, Jesus, and other things in heaven and earth throughout their sanctuaries or worship?
The reformed view of worship uses the second commandment to teach that worship should only be done in a way that has been commanded in God's word. The typical non-reformed view of worship says that worship can be what God commanded, plus anything that is not specifically forbidden. Reformed view would argue that if something wasn't specifically commanded to be done in worship, than essentially it is forbidden. The reasoning is that God's word is sufficient as it was given. Man always comes up with creative new ways to commit the same basic sin. There wouldn't be a book big enough to write out example of worship that man would scheme that would be considered forbidden, therefore the we need only to measure any ideas we have for worship against the basic instructions He has already given.
A few more questions. Is drama or video appointed in God's word as a manner of worship? If so, to what extent? Is speaking in tongues, and if so to what extent? What about special garments for church leaders to wear during a worship gathering (notice I said church leaders, not temple priests of the Old Testament)? What is the more "biblical" instrument to use in worship music, organ or guitar?
In age where many churches are trying to be on the cutting edge of programming and presentation, churches that stick to the prescribed manners of worship found in the Bible might have an inferiority complex. G.I. Williamson addresses that by saying, " what could be more wonderful than to receive from the Lord Himself a sure knowledge of the way that He would be worshipped?" But he also warns, "we must not assume that God is pleased with us just because we have a "pure" form of worship?" The condition of the heart is what God has constantly had to remind His people about. He may be more pleased with the "wrong" form of worship from someone who is broken and in awe before Him, than from someone who has the "right" form but a proud heart.
May we strive to worship in a manner that externally matches what God's Word prescribes, and internally comes to God with sincere and contrite hearts. All by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the interceding work of Jesus Christ.
4 comments:
That's an interesting point, but I like how the Bible says we are to Worship in spirit and In Truth. Since God's spirit lives in us, it therefore gives us the truth and the way we feel lead to worship. I won't argue that there are many different ways to worship our triune God, but we need to be doing it on a Biblical Basis, and need to spend time searching scripture for the ways that are acceptable and pleaseing to God.
Good thought on Spirit and Truth. I think people often manipulate that idea of being "led by the Spirit" to do things that are not actually coming from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not the only one that can whisper ideas into our heart (our own sinful flesh, false teachers, and demons are other things that can influence us if we're not careful). That's why it doesn't just worship in Spirit, but also includes truth, because God has given us many truths to test spirits with. That Biblical basis like you said, is key, and I think that's the point of the reformed view I've been reading about, even if they arrive at more strict conclusions than I do.
The deaths of Nadab and Abihu (in Leviticus 10)are a clear warning from God that he will be worshiped only in the manner that he has prescribed. There was nothing in that account that Nadab and Abihu did that was explicitly proscribed. However, God dealt with them harshly as a warning to all that he is to be treated as Holy by all.
To worship God is unbiblical ways is to say that we are the arbiter of how God is to be worshiped, and not God!
Certainly, God has no problem with the use of instruments in worship (it's lauded in the Psalms, repeatedly). However, what the music is and says IS important.
You have it right, Jesse, in that John tells us how to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Paul also tells us that God is a God of orderliness, not chaos (1 Cor). Worship is to reflect these attributes!
You have a great post with some wonderful points.
I think the worst kind of worship is 'no' worship.
It is what is in your heart that makes the worship-er.
I worship Him daily, but I am on the road every day. I have no bells, no special dress, no alter, no holy water... just me and my Lord.
Gib
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