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? http://www.teachingtheword.org 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. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=215460&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 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. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=215461&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=215462&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 A presentation of Biblical truth and a call for discernment on a subject on which there is much confusion in the church today http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=215382&view=post&blogid=7221 Tue, 25 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 What is worship? Who may worship? http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=214802&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 Worship is not a matter of externals. It is a matter of bowing the inner self to the sovereignty of God. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=214913&view=post&blogid=7221 Tue, 11 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 Each of us must ask: Am I a true worshipper of God? http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=214914&view=post&blogid=7221 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 This article introduces the issue, and describes how this series will approach it. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84223&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 According to Colossians 2 and other passages, those who invent and promote counterfeit worship "take delight in false humility." http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84266&view=post&blogid=7221 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Counterfeit worship is of no value for the one thing God says every Christian needs most. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84267&view=post&blogid=7221 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 What was this first-century worship perversion, and why should it concern us today? http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84268&view=post&blogid=7221 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 The heart of the heresy of counterfeit worship is the false teaching that man in his pride, not God in Scripture, determines whom to worship and how. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84269&view=post&blogid=7221 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 In two thousand years of church history, one entity stands out as the principal purveyor of un-Biblical worship. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84270&view=post&blogid=7221 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Through the centuries, counterfeit worship has been justified by suppressing the commandment against idolatry. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84271&view=post&blogid=7221 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Sainthood is a status conferred not by officials of the church, but by God. Those who are truly His saints are worshippers, not the worshipped. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84272&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Scripture specifically condemns these two forms of counterfeit worship long commanded by Roman Catholicism. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84273&view=post&blogid=7221 Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Contrary to the teachings of Rome, even Peter himself - whom it claims as the first pope - denied the papacy and the worship of popes. So must we. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84274&view=post&blogid=7221 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Scripture declares that those who persist in promoting counterfeit worship are dangerous spiritual imposters. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84284&view=post&blogid=7221 Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Counterfeit worship has become so widespread that it now supports a multi-billion-dollar "worship industry." http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84291&view=post&blogid=7221 Sat, 9 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 The worship industry's message to present-day churches is clear: Forget the Bible, except as a stage prop. Forget holiness, because you must attract the world. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84296&view=post&blogid=7221 Fri, 8 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 The philosophy promoted by the purveyors of counterfeit worship can be summed up in ten un-Biblical statements. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84297&view=post&blogid=7221 Thu, 7 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Postmodern Evangelicals call it "the culture" and want to bring it into the church. Scripture calls it "the world" - and warns us that to embrace it is spiritual adultery. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84319&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 6 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 In worship as in all things, Christians must desire that which God commands. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84318&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 6 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Biblical worship is a matter of sound doctrine, just as much as the doctrines of the Trinity, the holiness of God, or the atonement. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84298&view=post&blogid=7221 Wed, 6 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 The fires of our worship must be kindled by God, not the world. http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=84321&view=post&blogid=7221 Tue, 5 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400