The Regulative Principle of Worship

One of the points in Reformed theology that is often overlooked is the idea called "the Regulative Principle of Worship". The principle is set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and does good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture (WCF XXI:I).

While most of our behavior and living principles are viewed in terms of Christian liberty, the idea for worship is that it is highly regulated by God. In other words, the two -- Christian living and Christian worship -- are viewed in opposite terms. Christian living is viewed as "That which is not forbidden is allowed" while Christian worship is "That which is not commanded is forbidden."

There are reasons for this distinction. In Leviticus 10 we read the story of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons. They brought "strange fire" to offer to God. As a result, they were consumed by fire from God. Their crime, it seems was that they "offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them" (Lev. 10:1). Aaron was horrified and complained to Moses. Moses's response was this: "It is what the LORD spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be regarded as holy, and before all the people I will be honored'" (Lev. 10:3). The answer made Aaron keep silent. From events like these it becomes clear that God has specific requirements in worshiping Him that are not for all people or all circumstances. The more popular passage that is quoted to support the Regulative Principle of Worship is God's words in Deut. 12:32 -- "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it." The prevalent view is that to offer to God any other worship than that which He has commanded is idolatry.

I think the principle has merit. (I wrote a series of blogs on it back in July, 2006, beginning with this post and ending with this one.) On the other hand there are problems with the principle. First, how do you apply it consistently? You see, there are no commands in Scripture for, as an example, churches. There was a Tabernacle followed by a Temple, sure, but no churches. God didn't have His people build places of worship in each town. No such command is offered. They did it, but it's not in there. If you look at the Westminster Confession, they list very few things for worship. There is prayer with thanksgiving (WCF XXI:IV). Then it includes this:

The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, the sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith and reverence, singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions, which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner (WCF XXI:V).

That's it, folks. Not only is your praise band excluded, but so is your contemporary Christian songs. But don't lose heart. So is the organ, the piano, and the traditional hymnal. Musical instruments are not allowed, and the only songs that may be sung are from the Psalms. The sacraments are in, but the offering is out. Fasting is in, but those announcements about what is going on at church are out. Preaching is definitely in, but those video screens some of you use or the dance or drama groups ... definitely out. And you know all those special gatherings some of you like to have? Out, certainly out. No Wednesday night prayer meeting. It's not commanded. You ought not do it. Some churches have Saturday services. Certainly not allowed.

And so it goes. This principle, if installed and followed to the letter, would result in a radical change in our churches. It would first require that our churches be consolidated. One in each city, I suppose, since we can find New Testament examples. Certainly not two, let alone hundreds. The "megachurch" concept would be a given in any large city because there would only be one in each city. Instruments would be gone. While many would cheer the end of the "seeker sensitive service", they would be surprised by the removal of all hymnals, pianos and organs. There would be no Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, or any other service other than Sunday mornings. (I suppose you could stretch it to all day Sunday.) There would certainly be no Evolution Sunday, to be sure, but along with that we'd need to toss out all the other things we recognize such as pro-life or anti-racism days. I don't know how they do it, but those that argue for the Regulative Principle seem to comfortably ignore many of the rest of the Old Testament commands God gave regarding worship. They don't observe Passover or the Feast of Unleavened Bread or the Festival of Booths or ... well, you get the idea. These are all God-given commands for His worship, but they've conveniently decided that God ... well ... changed His mind about them.

I don't know. I have a great deal of respect for the principle, but I have a real problem with the application. Just as people can easily abuse the principle of Christian liberty, I fear that it is real easy to abuse the Regulative Principle of Worship. Unfortunately, when I make that suggestion, I sound like, "Did God say?" and will be ignored by those who hold to it. Too bad. I wish we could figure this thing out better. I think there's something there, but not necessarily what I'm being offered as "it".