Biblical Worship

Counterfeit worship is not new. In the early church, the Gnostics undermined Biblical worship by introducing angel worship, denying the deity of Christ, and other ungodly inventions. In the centuries that followed, Roman Catholicism borrowed heavily from the paganism of the Roman Empire; today, syncretism remains the basis of its worship. Postmodern Evangelicalism says that the worship service must be a well-planned stage production designed to impress the unchurched, and manufacture desired results based on appeals to the lusts of the flesh while disregarding the lordship of Christ.

In contrast to these past and present abuses, what does Scripture say about the nature of genuine, God-honoring worship? How can Christians recognize the roots and fruits of counterfeit worship in our time, and how must we respond?

The argument that worldly styles of music must be employed to reach youth exposes the non-Biblical thinking prominent in contemporary Christian music circles. Scripture prescribes the preaching of Christ as the means for reaching the lost, while mandating singing as a means to praise God. We are to preach Christ-crucified to man, and we are to sing praise to God. When the focus of singing and preaching are Biblical, God is honored.
It is imperative that when seeking to glorify Christ through song, we do so Biblically, paying close attention to the messages conveyed by the words, music, and performance style, lest we dishonor God through offering praise that is corrupted.
A presentation of Biblical truth and a call for discernment on a subject on which there is much confusion in the church today
What is worship? Who may worship?
Worship is not a matter of externals. It is a matter of bowing the inner self to the sovereignty of God.
Each of us must ask: Am I a true worshipper of God?
This article introduces the issue, and describes how this series will approach it.
According to Colossians 2 and other passages, those who invent and promote counterfeit worship "take delight in false humility."
Counterfeit worship is of no value for the one thing God says every Christian needs most.
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