Block - For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship

The present volume has a long history. My concern for the subject of worship practices was inspired in part by worship experiences with Gods people in many parts of the world and in part by observing the frustrations many have expressed over the changes in worship happening in their churches. For some any change is unwelcome; for others no change is enough. How shall we address these conflicting perspectives? Some congregations unravel over tensions in worship style while others spring up overnight catering to the particular stylistic whims of specific demographic groups. And a full building is viewed as proof that what they are doing must be right.

The seed for this volume was planted by discussions with friends two decades ago when we began to ask, What does God think of what we are doing? Of course this led to several additional questions: Does it matter what God thinks of what we are doing? How can we know what God thinks of what we are doing? In reflecting on these questions I became increasingly convinced that the answers may only be determined by careful attention to the Scriptures, our only sure and authoritative guide for spiritual truth.

Along the way many have aided and inspired me with their responses to these questions, whether in writing or through their public addresses or through personal conversation. I am especially grateful to Daniel Akin (currently president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary [Wake Forest] and formerly vice president and academic dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary [Louisville]) and the music faculty of the latter institution for encouraging me to develop a course on A Biblical Theology of Worship. The syllabus for that course has evolved into the present manuscript. It has been a special delight to share my discoveries with hundreds of students in academic institutions around the world. Whether at Wheaton College or in Hong Kong or in Greece, it has been exciting to watch eyes light up as students grasp biblical insights and especially as those insights translate into changes in dispositions and practices of personal and corporate worship. I have also been inspired by Gods people in the churches as I have had opportunity to test my theories within the contexts of specific congregations. Their responses keep reminding me that conversations about worship should not be restricted to professional worshipers, that is, worship leaders. Worship that pleases God should be everyones concern. I am especially grateful for the friendship of colleagues whose insights have prodded me to reassess my own views and inspired me to follow them in their thinking on these matters: Chip Stam, Tom Bolton, Donald Hustad, Chuck King, Gerard and Jane Sundberg, to name just a few.