"In many circles, congregations routinely applaud the special music (little of which is very special), and sometimes even the sermon. Thus we set up an atmosphere of interaction between performer and spectators, between entertainer and appreciative audience. This goes far beyond godly encouragement to those who serve well, and approaches the protocol of the theater. … We are developing new and powerful traditions that to some extent muzzle the gift of discernment, and expose us to essentially pagan ways of looking at corporate worship. A little thoughtful, self-critical reflection turns up countless numbers of such developments. Their total impact on the church, on truth, on pure devotion to Christ, on the quality of Christian leadership, cannot yet be fully estimated; but their essentially pagan character and deleterious contribution to self-interest as opposed to God’s interest can scarcely be doubted."
D.A. Carson, A Model of Christian Maturity: An Exposition of 2 Corinthians 10-13, p.103
No comments:
Post a Comment
PLEASE DO NOT ENTER YOUR COMMENT MORE THAN ONCE - it will not show until moderated. Comments with links - either with the commenter's name or in the text of the comment - which link to sites with heretical, aberrational, obscene or otherwise improper teaching, will not be published with said links. Comments which are mostly, or only, ad hominem attacks will not be published.