From Special Issue of the Standard Bearer Volume 71, 1994
The Reformation and Worship
Introduction to the Articles
Prof. D. Engelsma
This special issue of the Standard Beaver on worship is part commemoration, part instruction, and part controversy.
We commemorate the 16th century Reformation of the church as a reforming of worship. Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma reminds us of the distinctive characteristics of the worship restored particularly by the Reformed branch of the Reformation. These characteristics derive directly from the knowledge of God made known in the gospel. Rev. Ron Cammenga demonstrates that Luther and Calvin agreed that the preaching of this gospel is the heart of the public worship of the true church. Prof. Robert Decker lays out Calvin's own liturgy in Geneva. Essentially, this is the liturgy "in use in the worship services of the Protestant Reformed Churches."
Rev. Dale Kuiper gives instruction as to the practice of holding two worship services each Sabbath, at one of which the Heidelberg Catechism is preached. Prof. Herman Hanko pleads for the congregation's singing of Psalms in worship. Rev. Gise VanBaren contends that the day of public worship –the Lord's Day – is "the day which must be kept holy according to the fourth commandment. " All of this instruction is timely in view of the demise of the second service, the intrusion into public worship of hymns and choirs, and the profaning of the Sabbath Day – in Reformed churches.
The editorial is a critical examination of the prominent contemporary movement of "liturgical renewal. "
Running through all the articles is the exhortation to Reformed Christians, indeed all Protestant believers, to join in the right, pure public worship of God in the assembly of a faithful, obedient church. This is the theme of Rev. James Slopsema's meditation on Psalm 29:2.
May we ask that especially those who criticize or question the traditional form of worship in the PRC and other Reformed churches consider carefully this our apology for our faithfulness to the Spirit's work in the area of liturgies at the Reformation.
DJE
From the Standard Bearer Volumne 71, 1994
Articles