Christian worship
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In Christianity, worship has been considered by most Christians to be the central act of Christian identity throughout history. Many Christian theologians have defined humanity as homo adorans, that is, the "worshipping man," and thus the worship of God is at the very core of what it means to be human. Opinions have, however, run a gamut - and continue to do so - about the relative importance of formal or ritual worship, spontaneous praise and prayer, and the expression of praise integrated with daily life.
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[edit] History
[edit] Overview
Throughout most centuries of Church history, Christian worship has been primarily liturgical, characterized by prayers and hymns , which texts were rooted in, or closely related to, the Scripture, and particularly the Psalter. Set times for prayer during the day were established (based substantially on Jewish models), and a festal cycle throughout the Church year governed the celebration of feasts and holy days pertaining to the events in the life of Jesus, the lives of the saints, and aspects of the Church's perception of God.[citation needed]
A great deal of emphasis was placed on the forms of worship, as they were seen in terms of the Latin phrase lex orandi, lex credendi ("the rule of prayer is the rule of belief")—that is, the specifics of one's worship express, teach, and govern the doctrinal beliefs of the community. To alter the patterns and content of worship were to change the faith itself. Thus even though there was always a certain amount of variety in the early Church's liturgical worship, there was also a great deal of unity.[citation needed] Each time a heresy arose in the Church, it was typically accompanied by a shift in worship for the heretical group. Orthodoxy in faith also meant orthodoxy in worship, and vice versa. Thus, unity in Christian worship was understood to be a fulfilment of Jesus' words that the time was at hand when true worshippers would worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23).
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[edit] Early Church Fathers
The very early development of Christian worship is fairly documented, and appears to be primitively liturgical, and rooted in the worship of Judaism of the Second Temple period. This is evinced by statements made by Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. However, the Christian worship also had something not found in its Jewish counterpart; the Holy Eucharist, which was the central act of worship in early Christianity. The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles present the very early Christians, then still very much a part of the Jewish scene, as frequenting both the Temple and synagogues, as well as worshipping in private homes, frequently to "break bread," a term which connotes both the sharing of an Agape Meal, and celebrating the Eucharist. Acts 2:42 presents the very early Church of Jerusalem as "continuing in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers." It is known, at least by the time of the persecution under Nero, that the early Christians made use of incense in worship and funeral rites. Psalms and hymns based on them were a regular feature of Jewish worship in the synagogues, and these were also incorporated into Christian hymns. The Psalms are still frequently quoted or sung or chanted in the original church, the Catholic Church, and nearly all the different Christian traditions.
[edit] Medieval practices
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[edit] Reformation liturgies
Worship as singing underwent great changes for some Christians with the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, a music lover, composed hymns that are still sung today, and expected congregations to be active participants in the service, singing along.[citation needed]
John Calvin, in Geneva, argued that while instrumental music had its time with the Levites of the Old Testament, it was no longer a proper expression for the church.[citation needed] This was expanded upon by John Knox (see Presbyterian worship); only Psalms were sung, and they were sung A cappella. Furthermore, in the Genevan and Scottish Reformed tradition, man-made hymns are not sung, being seen inferior to the God-inspired psalms of the Bible. The Calvinist Regulative Principle of Worship distinguishes traditional Presbyterian and Reformed churches from the Lutheran or other Protestant churches.
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[edit] Present day
Current Christian worship practices are diverse and reflect the fragmented nature of the Christian church, with a range of customs and theological views. Whilst some elements are universal, style and content varies greatly due to the differing emphases found amongst various groups.
Virtually all churches meet weekly for worship on sundays, with the exception of some small groups (see Sabbath in Christianity).
In many Christian traditions, regular public worship is complemented by other forms of worship, such as individual meditation, prayer and study, small group prayer (often linked with Bible study), and formal ceremonies on special occasions, including weddings, funerals, baptisms and events of Church or state.[citation needed]
[edit] Sacramental tradition
This grouping can also be referred to as the eucharistic or catholic tradition, but it is important to note that it is not limited to the Roman Catholic Church. It includes the Eastern Christian churches, the Roman Catholic Church, and some Lutheran and Anglican churches (see Anglo-Catholicism and High Church Lutheranism). Worship (variously known as the Mass, Divine Liturgy, Eucharist, or Communion) is formal and centres on the receiving of communion. Services are structured according to a liturgy and typically include other elements such as prayers, recitations, hymns, choral music, the reading of scripture, and some form of teaching or sermon. The service is usually led by a priest who wears vestments.
[edit] Reformation tradition
In many other Protestant traditions, particularly the non-conformist churches, corporate worship is shaped by the legacy of the Reformation, with its emphasis on the Bible as the ultimate authority in all matters. Hence services focus on a sermon, which is frequently an exposition of part of the Bible or an exhortation on morality or faith. Worship in such a context also generally features spoken prayer (either unscripted or prepared), Scripture readings, and congregational singing of hymns. Some liturgy is normally used but may not be described as such. Communion is celebrated less frequently (intervals vary from every two weeks to annually according to church practice), although a small number of groups such as the Salvation Army do not celebrate Communion. Vestments are less elaborate or absent, and in some traditions services may be led by laity.[citation needed]
[edit] Modern developments
Since the late 1960s, there have been significant changes to Christian worship practices, particularly within the Protestant branch of the church, resulting from both the theological and musical influences of the charismatic movement.
Firstly, contemporary worship music is now widespread and can be found in many churches, including those which do not take a charismatic approach. This music is written in the style of popular music or folk music and is frequently played on a range of instruments that would not have previously been used in churches such as guitars (including electric) and drum kits.
Secondly, a new music-centred approach to worship, known as contemporary worship is now commonplace. A contributing factor to this, again resulting from the charismatic movement, is the creation of numerous new churches (such as the Vineyard churches), which have experienced significant growth and dramatically altered the composition of Protestant Christianity. These new churches are outside of established denominations and adopted charismatic theology and contemporary forms of worship from the outset.
Within the Roman Catholic Church, the charismatic movement has had less influence on the structure of regular worship, although contemporary worship music is sometimes used in some catholic churches. Worship practices in the Eastern Churches have largely remained unaffected.
[edit] Types of Christian worship
[edit] Sacraments, Ordinances, Holy Mysteries
- Common to almost all
- Sacraments/Holy Mysteries Common to the East and to Roman Catholicism
- Chrismation (Eastern) / Confirmation (Western)
- Marriage
- Ordination
- Confession
- Anointing of the Sick (Unction)
- Sacraments/ Ordinances of In the View of Protestants
- Ordinances of Latter-day Saints
[edit] Other Liturgical Traditions: Non-Sacraments
See also: Christian liturgy
- Traditions common to Eastern Christianity and to Roman Catholicism
[edit] Major collections
[edit] Non-Liturgical traditions
[edit] Prayer
[edit] Psalms
[edit] Profession of Faith
[edit] Other
[edit] Music
[edit] Chant
[edit] Classical & Baroque
[edit] Modern
[edit] Contemporary
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Stevens, James H. S. (2002), Worship In The Spirit - Charismatic Worship In The Church of England, Paternoster, ISBN 1842271032.
- Ward, Pete (2005), Selling Worship - How What We Sing Has Changed The Church, Paternoster, ISBN 1842272705
- Warner, Rob (2007), Reinventing English Evangelicalism 1966-2001 - A Theological And Sociological Study, Paternoster, ISBN 9781842275702. Chapter 2 includes a study of changing worship styles.
[edit] Holidays and seasons
The most popular religious holidays in the Christian calendar are Christmas, which is preceded by the Advent season, and Easter, called by the Greek word "Pascha" (Πάσχα) among some Eastern Christians, which follows Lent (Great Lent in the Eastern tradition) and Holy Week.[citation needed] While Christmas is very popular, especially in Western countries, Easter is liturgically by far the most important celebration.
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[edit] See also
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