Comments on: Luther and the non-Christian "worship service"

By: The Assembling of the Church | Luther on Making Decisions for the Church

The Assembling of the Church | Luther on Making Decisions for the Church — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:56:36 +0000

[...] Previously, I’ve written a couple of posts concerning Luther’s “The German Mass and Order of Divine Service.” (See “Luther and the Church” and “Luther and the non-Christian ‘worship service’.”) [...]

By: The Assembling of the Church | Luther talks about the church meeting

The Assembling of the Church | Luther talks about the church meeting — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:32 +0000

[...] Luther and the non-Christian “worship service” [...]

By: Alan Knox

Alan Knox — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:31:00 +0000

Jim,

You're probably right about few people (even those who call themselves believers) understanding the core message of the Bible. Of course, its not surprising since they have been told so many times that they can't understand Scripture without education or training.

-Alan

By: jeleasure

jeleasure — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:58:00 +0000

Thanks for enlightening us on this. What is interesting, I am arminian and I see the similarities.

Another truth to add to the scene, American Family Association says "only six percent of all people who call themselves Christians, truly understand the core message of the Bible".

Doesn't this mean that the formality Luther invented may be helping to bring people into the church. However, the church is failing to go beyond the inspiration of the liturgy.

Jim

By: Alan Knox

Alan Knox — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:05:00 +0000

Aussie John,

But, if we don't "blindly follow" then we're considered rebels and heretics. :)

Jeff,

I'd love to hear how others in the Lutheran church answer Luther's introductory statement.

Scott,

I don't know if Luther is the first advocate of a "seeker-sensitive worship", but he certainly seemed to see the purpose of these public "divine orders" as attracting unbelievers to Christ.

Gary,

I'm not sure if Luther designed this service. Much of it came from the Catholic mass.

Joel,

I read it in a seminar, but we didn't discuss it. We jumped straight to the "order".

-Alan

By: Joel Spencer

Joel Spencer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:21:00 +0000

Very interesting point Alan. I’d not heard the statement made at the beginning of his essay before.

By: Lightbearer

Lightbearer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:04:00 +0000

That’s incredible. The institutional church opted to follow the format designed for unbelievers. All I can say is, it’s no wonder why the church is in its present condition. Wow!!

Blessings,
Gary

By: Scott Eaton

Scott Eaton — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:20:00 +0000

Hey Alan,

Does this mean that Luther was the first advocate of a seeker-sensitive worship service? It kind of sounds that way.

Of course, I do not think God ever intended for us to have "seeker-sensitive" services where the service is designed for the unbeliever. It seems to me that 1 Corithians 14 demonstrates that the sincere and participatory nature of believers in assembly is a greater testimony to those who do not believe.

What are your thoughts?

By: Jeff Greathouse

Jeff Greathouse — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Very Interesting Post. As a guy serving in a Lutheran church, it was very educational. Maybe, I will use this as part of confirmation class.

Aussie picked up on the phrase as well that I was going to touch on. I think that many times, we "copy" or "follow" and we do it WITH OUT the original intent.

When we do it with out the original intent, we mise well not do.

Thanks for giving me something to ponder.

By: Aussie John

Aussie John — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:22:00 +0000

Alan,

You said,"we blindly follow".

You said it all! What more can one say?