We are in the midst of what some have termed "worship wars". "Traditional" or "contemporary"? Do we sing hymns or do we "jazz it up" (although I would suspect "jazz it up" betrays my more traditional thinking -- not hip enough)? A pulpit? A stage? Oh, does anyone remember those elevated pulpits where the preacher had to climb at least a few steps to get up into it? Yeah ... those are almost entirely gone. Now there is more lighting, staging, "performance space". We're live-streaming and preaching from PowerPoint. You might not even have to bring your Bible to church. If they don't supply you with one in the back of the chair in front of you, they may just put something on the screen ... or skip it entirely.
On one hand, many of us are baffled by the whole thing. I mean, how can this even be a question? What is worship besides our warm feelings toward God? So whatever engenders warmth toward God is worship, right? If that is your stodgey old hymns, so be it. For most of us that more current, "with it", emotionally satisfying, stuff is better. You might have a band, an orchestra, a choir (although not so much anymore), a guitar, a piano, or, in some case, pure a capella singing. It just doesn't matter -- whatever makes you feel warmly towards God. So the whole thing is a non-issue ... right? Thus my question, "Does God care?" Is worship "warm feelings toward God" or does God have something else in mind? Does God care how we worship Him?
The first issue appears to be that we don't know what worship is. We're likely to think, "That singing portion of a church service," but Paul says that sacrificing your body is worship (Rom 12:1). Conversely, Scripture says that we're supposed to use music for teaching and admonishing (Col 3:16). (Interestingly, a large portion of the Old Testament prophets' messages were done in song.) The dictionary defines worship as "the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity." Worship, then, is not about "me". It is about God. Worship is a lifestyle, from doing good works in such a way that God gets the glory (Matt 5:16) to giving God priority in everything (1 Cor 10:31). Worship includes singing, of course, but far beyond that it encompasses the preaching and teaching of His Word, the giving of our time and resources to His work, the prayers we offer in and out of church -- every aspect of everything we do as believers. So the question is "Does God care about how we do that?"
The general perspective seems to be, "No, He doesn't care how. He just cares that we do." And I would suggest that Uzzah might disagree (2 Sam 6:1-7). What was Uzzah doing? He was making sure that the holy Ark of the Covenant didn't fall into the dirt. God struck him dead. I would argue that Nadab and Abihu might offer a different perspective than "He just cares that we do." (Lev 10:13) What were they doing? They were serving God in the tabernacle. Their sin? They offered "unauthorized fire." Seriously? What is that? "Strange fire"? What does that even mean? How bad could that be? "Fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them." That's how bad.
It is true that the life of the believer ought to be an all-encompassing act of worship. It is true that it is not limited to Sundays, let alone to just the singing portion of a church service. But I think it is unwise, even dangerous to assume that God doesn't really care how it is done. If the good intentions of a Levite got him killed and the "strange fire" of a couple of priests cost them their lives, perhaps we ought to be asking more carefully, "What does God want in our worship?" rather than our commonly cavalier "whatever makes me feel good about God" approach.
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Answer #1 (a summary): "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Therefore "in spirit and in truth" is the only thing that God cares about. Method, means, style, types, approaches, none of these are significant. Whatever you find the most meaning in is find as long as the intent is to honor and worship God.
As I understand that answer to the question, "Does God care (about how He is worshiped)?", the answer would be, in essence, "No, as long as the intent is worship."
Clearly the question is “Does God exist?”, and why worship something you can’t prove the existence of?
Since he's writing this to Christians, I really hope the question isn't if God exists.
I'm not sure that He does since He doesn't give us clear instructions in His manual of faith and practice. I'm not sure the Uzzah, Nadab, and Abihu examples are fully analogous to all worship since they were specific in their scope about serving God, which is admittedly a part of worship. But those instructions were for the Levites, and unless all Christians are considered Levites, we don't fall under those specific instructions. I guess if it's not implicitly or explicitly forbidden, then it is valid worship. What that looks like, I'm not sure.
I only use Uzzah and Aaron's sons as examples, not for what they did, but for God's reaction to what they did. They appear to be sincere followers of God. Uzzah seemed to be sincerely concerned that the holy Ark would tip over and that would be bad and steadying it would be a service to God "in spirit and in truth". I didn't mention them as examples of things we shouldn't do. I simply use them to say, "It looks like God cares what we do, even about the little things."
In the principle of Christian liberty, we understand "if it's not specifically forbidden, it's up to the individual conscience." It might be that in worship that might be reversed; "if it's not specifically commanded, it shouldn't be done in worship." That is, if we can't find biblical approval, maybe God doesn't want that kind of worship.
Sorry, I was reacting to an argument from the village idiot. Although the increased number of atheist christians certainly makes it a question.
I understood that. The fact that we live in a world where "atheist" and "Christian" can be put together as if the term means anything is a commentary on our world's irrationality.
I agree, yet here we are. Or when the best argument against inerrancy is “You can’t prove God exists.”.
From a self identified Christian no less.
To the point of the post. If Christians can’t agree on the existence of God, then does it matter if He cares?
Yes, if "Christians" can't agree that there is a God (and I cannot bring myself to use the term "Christian" in reference to anyone who doesn't believe there is a God), then the question is moot.
But I want to know what Christians who believe there is a God, what Christians who believe that God's Word has something to say about our lives, think. Does God care how He is worshiped, or is it just up to whatever we deem best? (Of course within limits. Arguing that it because I'm worshiping "in spirit and in truth" while I call raping and pillaging "worship" would be nonsense.) Is it whatever we feel or maybe whatever makes us feel or does God actually have a preference?
I believe God cares about much more than simply how we worship...about much more than is distinctly expressed in words of passage or verse, such as, "Do this" or "Don't do that". Your OT examples would indeed seem to indicate this is true.
This issue does harken back to a couple of blog discussions on the subject of proper attire for Sunday service, and how I find it rather lacking in reverence to see so many congregants dressed in what appears to be whatever they pulled out of the hamper. Another began when someone spoke of a girl who had "the 'F' word" tattooed on her (I think) feet and was wearing sandals or some such that exposed the profanity. I suggested that at the very least the kid should wear something that covers it up if she can't go through whatever it takes to remove or tattoo over the word. In each case I was met with admonishments claiming that God doesn't care and that what matters is that we show up. Most of the same people will dress up to go to a bar on Saturday night, but for church? Not necessary.
I don't agree. It doesn't make sense and isn't logical (especially in light of the examples you've presented) that He Who created all things is that desperate to have us that He'll take us "just the way we are", or be content with worshiping Him any old way we please.
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