The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan

Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)

Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)

The Four: A Survey of the Gospels

Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom

From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John

Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture

Jane Austen
(A Biography)

Solomon Among the Postmoderns

The Baptized Body

1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary

The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter

A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons

Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature

Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen

The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism

A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel

Against Christianity

From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution

Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy

Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper

A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament

Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature

Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays

Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life

The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church

« Previous Post | Next Post »
« Previous post in category | Next post in category »

Theology - Liturgical: Worship and Pop Culture

In Selling Worship, Pete Ward’s thoughtful assessment of “how what we sing has changed the Church,” Ward notes that certain aspects of contemporary culture “will fit well with what we are doing while some other characteristics of the culture will be problematic.”

He provides a superb illustration of the latter by highlighting the “rate of change that the use of popular culture in worship has introduced into evangelical life.”  One writers describes how the church has been “invaded by an astounding upsurge in newly-created forms of music,” which creates a rapid turnover not only of songs but of musical styles.  Ward notes, “So quickly do songs come into fashion and out again that worship groups and congregations have a repertoire which changes every year.”  He cites another worship leader who says that “There is a real pressure to keep up to date with the latest songs.”

Ward summarizes, “A media generated and transmitted religious culture is one that is affected by the pace of change and communication, which is characteristic of contemporary culture.  While there are more songs from which to choose, and many of these songs may be seen as being relevant, there is also a tendency for a rapidly changing consumer-based worship culture to itself appear less than genuine.  The more involved and engaging the mediated cultural environment within worship is constructed, the greater the possibility of a perceived threat to authenticity.”