Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship
An easy error for a historian to commit is to equate or link events or movements in history that are similar, while ignoring or underplaying… Read More »Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship
Editor’s Picks
On Associations
Whenever the question is asked whether associations matter in musical choices, people usually fall into one of two camps. First are those who strongly believe… Read More »On Associations
The Hymnody of the Christian Church
Here are PDFs and audio from the entire Christian hymnody series: Hymnody of the Church Part 1 | Audio Hymnody of the Church Part 2… Read More »The Hymnody of the Christian Church
Where Is Christ in Christmas?
Christmas—a very mention of the word produces delight and expectation in the hearts of people everywhere. Or does it? For some Christians, Christmas is a… Read More »Where Is Christ in Christmas?
Applications are not as important as Philosophy
I have strong convictions about worship philosophy. I also have strong opinions about certain applications of that philosophy. But these are not the same thing.… Read More »Applications are not as important as Philosophy
Is Music a Separation Issue?
Music philosophy is not a separation issue of the same kind of level as heterodoxy or flagrant, known sin. Probably one of the most common… Read More »Is Music a Separation Issue?
What is influencing fundamentalist worship today?
As I consider the landscape of fundamentalism today,1 some characteristics of its worship encourage me, while others concern me. The primary influences on modern fundamentalist… Read More »What is influencing fundamentalist worship today?
I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow my imaginary argument down!
Straw Men in the Music/Worship Debate One of the most dangerous, yet easy pitfalls one can fall into when discussing music/worship issues is to misrepresent… Read More »I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow my imaginary argument down!
Musical Relativism is Pelagian
So says John Makujina in this lecture given at the Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary Rice Lecture Series in 2005 and in this paper presented at the… Read More »Musical Relativism is Pelagian
Train Your Child's Heart Before His Head
Children learn to worship God primarily through participating in rightly ordered worship. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he… Read More »Train Your Child's Heart Before His Head
On Taxonomies of Music/Worship Philosophies
There have been several interesting taxonomies of music/worship philosophies developed recently that have spurred me to think through classifying various positions. They intrigued me mostly… Read More »On Taxonomies of Music/Worship Philosophies
Shall We Dance?
When discussing what are or are not acceptable elements for worship, some will raise the issue of dancing. “David danced before the Lord, didn’t he?”… Read More »Shall We Dance?
Full "Correcting Categories" Series
Below are links to individual posts and the full document of the “Correcting Categories” series. Correcting Categories, Part 1 – Biblical Authority Correcting Categories, Part… Read More »Full "Correcting Categories" Series
An Argument for the Consumption of Cyanide
Here’s the scenario: You visit your family doctor for a regular checkup. After careful examination, the doctor begins to ask you about your eating habits.… Read More »An Argument for the Consumption of Cyanide
Worship That Cannot Be Touched – Hebrews 12:18-29
At the end of Hebrews 12 we find a very instructive passage that describes New Testament worship. But in order to understand the point of… Read More »Worship That Cannot Be Touched – Hebrews 12:18-29
The Liberating Regulative Principle of Worship
Uncertainty reigns today in churches over whether or not certain service elements are really helpful for congregational worship. What is acceptable? Sacred dance? Liturgical painting?… Read More »The Liberating Regulative Principle of Worship
What Does the Bible Really Say About Alcohol?
Enter any popular online Christian discussion forum today, and you will inevitably run into a fiery debate about the Christian and alcohol. Both sides of… Read More »What Does the Bible Really Say About Alcohol?
An Argument for the Superiority of Printed Media Over Visual Media
The purpose of this essay is not to argue that visual media is inherently evil. Nor is its purpose to contend that visual media lacks… Read More »An Argument for the Superiority of Printed Media Over Visual Media