Worship Wars

Worship Wars
Over the past several decades there has been a considerable shift in the way many churches approach the topic of corporate worship. Some people prefer hymns while others prefer more contemporary songs. There are debates on whether instruments are to be used in worship or not. Should there be a choir or not? All these topics and more get brought up when considering corporate worship in the church. Yet, what is often missing, and what I think will solve all of these issues, is one simple question. Does God accept and delight in the way that we worship?

The problem that comes up in the debate between hymns and contemporary music often has little to do with theological conviction and most to do with preference. The problem is that you have people in the church arguing over what they prefer and never asking what God prefers. There seems to be a blanket assumption that it doesn’t matter how we worship God, so long as we do it. This is absolutely not the case. 

When Cain and Abel brought their sacrifices to the Lord, He had regard for Abel’s and not for Cain’s. We see clearly, as early as Genesis 4, that not all forms of worship are acceptable before God. The Author of Hebrews tells us that it was because Abel offered his sacrifice by faith that it was acceptable to God (Heb. 11:4). An even more severe example can be seen when the Lord slays Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire that He had not commanded (Lev.10:1-3).

The Author of Hebrews makes clear that we are not like those at Mount Sinai who were to worship at the foot of the mountain when they met with the Lord. Rather, we are those who gather together and worship in the heavenly Jerusalem, surrounded by innumerable angels in festal gathering as well as the souls of just men made perfect. We worship with the saints who have gone before us and are with the Lord. We worship our God in His presence. This is why he says that we are to “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28b-29).

So, our question ought not to be, “what do I prefer” when it comes to worship. Instead, our question ought to be, “what does God accept, prefer, and delight in?” Asking this question will put to rest many of the debates over preference and realign the hearts of Christ’s people as they seek to worship Him in spirit and truth.

Grace be with you,

C. R. Hamilton