“All of this came to mind when I read Bob Smietana’s article for Religious News Service entitled If Jesus showed up today, would he play guitar? He was reporting on the Conference on Contemporary Praise and Worship held this summer in Nashville, in which scholars came together to discuss, among other things, ‘whether worship music has become a new sacrament.’” - Gene Veith
Related: If Jesus showed up today, would he play guitar? - RNS
Discussion
NewDoes he have a point?
As a Lutheran, Veith makes a lot out ‘presence’ in Communion, and a particular concept of presence also.
But his larger point has some weight I think: In the minds of many, ‘worship’ is a felt thing that happens during a musical experience. As one who leads in congregational singing regularly and deeply values its place in worship, I’m not downplaying its importance. But it seems like in a lot of places it has sort of become the tail that wags the dog.
Congregational singing has an important place in congregational worship. It does not equal congregational worship. When we gather, worship is doing the things Christ commanded the church to do when it gathers, with OT as context. Singing is just part of it, and not “the most important part.” If any part can be said to be more important than another, it would be the preaching and teaching of the Word.
I am not really sure ‘presence’ is supposed to be a particularly felt thing in this age. It is a real thing. Matt 28:20, 18:20. Contra the Lutheran ‘real presence,’ that reality doesn’t have much to with Communion. He is objectively present in a special way all the time when we gather. He does not arrive at some moment during the proceedings, much less become present when we feel a certain way or do “the worship” especially well.
Where I think Veith has an even stronger point for non-Lutherans is that he wants to root worship in something historic and objective (sort of). In his case, it’s Lutheran sacramental doctrine. But where he’s right, I think, is that modern worship seems so unmoored. Adrift. It needs anchoring not only in theology but also in time-honored practice, to give the details and execution some practical boundaries in addition to the conceptual boundaries. There is too much American entrepreneurial spirit of innovation in it. Great for computers and cars. Not great for worship.
This is getting long, but by ‘time-honored’ I’m not talking about the 1950’s or even the 1860’s. That was last week, relative to Christian history. We need to look further back than that!
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.