CONFUSION ABOUNDS!

FROM HUNTSVILLE: I agree with "West Coast." Protestant worship services are mostly selling tickets to ball games, pictures, records and signing petitions on political issues. There is very little spirituality. And the music is a disgrace. No hymns anymore just modern junk.--Disgusted

GREENWICH, CONN: That Protestant person is not alone with the complaints about social activities and funs stuff in their worship services. In recent years the major source of funding in many Catholic parishes is bingo. -Anonymous Fort Lauderdale:

I agree with "West Coast." There is little worshiping and quiet meditation in our church. No time for it. Too busy congratulating couples on new babies, wedding anniversaries, engagement and leaning on parishioners to shell out more money...pray at home. -John H.

Washington D.C.- Here in the East it is show-biz time in the Lutheran church. We are asked to "pass the peace." People from all sides grab your hand, mutter "peace be with you," and thee scene resembles fruit basket upset. Applause is common. Our minister parades newly baptized babies down the aisle. Everything is so laid back you might as well be in an amusement park. -No Name

The above quotes were taken from an Ann Landers column a few years ago. The article came about because a concerned person from the West Coast had written in about modern-day worship services. He said that the services had become too social and frivolous. Ann Landers asked for comments about this. Some people liked the "modern" approach while others did not. The above represents some views of those who did not like the modern trends. Their statements probably do reflect the views of many.

Clearly, worship should involve reverence and respect for God. Worship is serious. However, the trends and attitudes today are but a symptom for an even larger problem which is a general lack of respect for God's Word and for Bible authority.

We should realize that the work of the church and the way we worship God is not to be decided by mere human opinion or preference. People need to return to the Bible; all must learn that God's Will, which is recorded for us in the Scriptures, is important. Certainly, the Bible is to be our authority (Col. 3:17, II Tim. 3:16-17), and we must not add to it or take away from God's Word (Rev. 22:18-19, II Jn. 9, I Peter 4:11, Gal. 1:6-10). The question, "What does the Bible teach?" is hardly ever asked anymore. Instead, in matters pertaining to religion, it is "what I feel," or "what my parents always believed," or "what is the easiest doctrine to follow," or "what is the most popular" instead of what God actually says in His Word. John 8:32 says, "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

By Mike Johnson

Return to the General Articles page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /