Reformed theology seems to be presently receiving renewed interest within the church. A reformed understanding of the Bible gives rise to more than a particular understanding of salvation. It applies a vigourous interpretation of the Scriptures to all aspects of the Christian’s life. This has included a particular emphasis on the church and its gatherings.
Reformed theology, as a particular understanding of the Bible, gave rise to a particular form of corporate worship. This worship nourishes and promotes a reformed understanding of the Word of God.
It is bemusing that just a many are discovering reformed and presbyterian theology that reformed and presbyterian churches are forsaking the form of worship associated with it.
The form associated with neo-pentecostalism, which is derived from the revivalist movement, is taking sway. This is being informed by an attitude which asserts that there is no obligation for God’s people to gather on a particular day of the week and that what they do when they do gather cannot be termed ‘worship’ in any particular sense.
Terry Johnson, pastor of the Independent Presbyterian Church, stands firm in his support of the historical presbyterian and reformed understanding of worship. The Pastor’s Public Ministry is a monograph that outlines the biblical principles by which the minister: Leads In Worship; Leads In Prayer; and Preaches.
Leading in Worship involves an deep understanding of the Scriptures. The whole progress of a presbyterian worship service brings the people to God, aids their expression in God’s presence, seeks to dispense the means of grace and then directs them in their response. To cariacature this time as a ‘hymn sandwich’ really leads me to question whether the cariacaturist has any concept of what reformed and presbyterian worship really is. It would certainly explain why they wouldn’t value it.
Leading in Prayer is not shouting at God. It is a biblical reflection of God’s Word and His promises back to Him in corporate unity. While it is free prayer, it is considered, thoughtful, and purposeful. The pastor’s biblical study undergirds this utterance just as much as it informs his preaching.
Johnson mentions the importance of preaching, but within the scope of the booklet does not deal with it in the detail that he directs toward the previous sections. In contrast to biblical preaching there has been a paucity of material on reformed worship and particularly pulpit prayer in recent times. But he does address the importance of expository preaching. While the Bible should be read in large portions sequentially it should also be the basis for the sermon.
A reformed conception of salvation is only part of reformed theology. Terry Johnson invites us to embrace our full heritage of biblical understanding and practice.
The Pastor’s Public Ministry can be purchased from Monergism or http://www.amazon.com/.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Pastor's Public Ministry - A Book Review
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