What Are the Qualities of Valid Worship? Regulative- vs. Normative Principle
@mythociate (21437)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
October 30, 2015 12:01pm CST
theopedia.com/worship
theopedia.com/regulative-principle-of-worship
My every action is 'for God'---true, I might not be 'doing everything to BE SEEN as glorifying-to-God'; but everything I do (mostly in secret) is done so that (at least indirectly) God's featured creation's shine is brighter.
So my picture of "worshiping God" is humbler---when I see some huge display (with performers lifting glorious melodies and harmonies to audiences in the stadium-style sanctuary), I DON'T think the performers are the ones who are worshiping.
True, they may be 'acting in obedience to God' and may 'give thanks to God FOR the past glory' when they're finished; but--like Jesus said in Matthew 6:5-7--"they (who love to pray to be seen by others) have received their reward in full."
But the TRUE worshipers are the ones who--seeing the glorious pageantry--attribute its glory to the power of God.
Theopedia.com says 'the words translated "worship" in the Bible TRULY only mean 'to depress or prostrate oneself,' 'to work,' 'to seek,' 'to fear' & 'to carve or fashion (for).' Elsewhere, Theopedia.com talks about 'the Regulative (as opposed to Normative) principle of worship' which commands that only the methods specifically stated in the Bible are valid ways to worship (as opposed to 'just any way not expressly forbidden that does not stop others from their worship').
What practices do YOU qualify as "worship"?
3 people like this
4 responses
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
30 Oct 15
Why thank you @MALUSE
@rahulvsmokiee I think that you might have opened a can or worms here - I have found that debating the non-existence of any god / deity with believers is a frustrating matter. They never seem to accept my pink fluffy unicorn that dances on a rainbow as a suitable match for their god / deity!
2 people like this
@rahulvsmokiee (3110)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
30 Oct 15
Being a non believer of god, i just dont like to worship at all. I know for some people worshiping is the key to hold their mind. It also passes some relief and hope to a person who did already decided to die. But being personal, why do you believe in something which don't even exist in the world?
1 person likes this
@mythociate (21437)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2 Nov 15
Because I didn't exist in the world for many-many ages, and I probably won't for many-many ages after my 'final rest.'
1 person likes this
@rahulvsmokiee (3110)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
2 Nov 15
@mythociate Hum. that clearly state what you opinion is. I am not going to argue with you.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Oct 15
The Bible tells us to do everything as unto the Lord. I think that many times, music worship is valid and true worship, and other times there are those who are putting on a show. But as you say, it may be only those in the audience who are worshipping while the music is playing.
1 person likes this
