Covenantal Worship: Reconsidering the Puritan Regulative Principle [Paperback]

R. J. Gore Jr. (Author), John M. Frame (Foreword)

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875525628
• ISBN-13: 978-0875525624
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST read for reformed and non-reformed . . ., December 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Covenantal Worship: Reconsidering the Puritan Regulative Principle (Paperback)

I finished the book in a week of busy time. It faithfully represents the concerns of the Puritans fathers and exposes the Scriptural weakness of the "pursuit of plainness." The "CRP" (Covenant Regulative Principle) has arrived in time to challenge the Reformed churches out of idolizing the 16th and 17th centuries and to face the challenge of cultural relevance in covenantally faithful worship. The text handles the confessional standards with precision as well as demonstrating our Lord's synagogue attendance much less Calvin's Geneva as failing the Puritan's Regulative principle! Though many in the reformed tradition will shy his call for frequent use of the Table as "popery," it is a clarion call among other elements of this outstanding and providential text. Further agitating the idolators of the past, his catholic openness to the various Christians traditions as an aspect of covenantal worship is outstanding and exemplary of where the Reformed churches should be moving in order to be faithful to the cultural mandate. This is not an apologetic appeal for "contemporary worship" (as might be feared), but an honest attempt at proposing a solution to a flawed hermeneutic that is death to the present need of the reformed community. Neither high or low liturgy is the answer but covenant faithfulness.

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Strong Step Forward in Ending the Worship Wars!, June 4, 2003

By 

J Moore (Lowndesville, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Covenantal Worship: Reconsidering the Puritan Regulative Principle (Paperback)

Gore's work is insightful, challenging, and well-researched. This is a must read for anyone struggling in the chaotic no-man's-land between the various factions in the worship wars. Whether a strict adherent to the regulative principle, or a staunch defendant of free worship, Gore has provided you with a fresh perspective that should not be overlooked.
As a Presbyterian minister over a multi-generational flock, I found Gore's insights immensely helpful in placing our church's worship within a broader context of charity and harmony in today's fast changing cultural dynamic. Gore has proven for us that the preponderance of evidence stands against a slavish adherence to the Puritan regulative principle. Rather, it is time for us to move towards a more biblical, covenantal understanding of corporate worship in the Reformed denominations, and to embrace all those methods which are Christ-centered, glorifying, edifying, culturally relevant, orderly, and free. I agree with John Frame when he says that Gore's work should move us a strong step forward in ending the worship wars in our churches.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ, January 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Covenantal Worship: Reconsidering the Puritan Regulative Principle (Paperback)

R.J. Gore effectively stimulates thought in possibly the most controversial area of debate in reformed theology today. While Gore does criticize various theological perspectives on worship he does so with clarity. He neither throws out the puritan perspective nor embraces the contemporary fads. Rather, Gore forces the debate to another level. He does not remain neutral but engages the issues from historical, theological, biblical, and cultural perspectives in such a way as to bring balance and unity. This is a must read for those who are intellectually honest enough to consider the sources that have brought the issue of worship to the forefront of Reformed dialogue in the 21st century! Clearly an essay the deserves to be considered by all who choose to enter the great debate!