Customer Reviews

True Worship

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Roberts contrasts the Old testament view on worship with the New testament view. In the OT the people were supposed to bring a sacrifice to God, while in the New Covenant God has provided with a sacrifice. The difference is (among other things) one of direction: from us to God (OT) or from God to us (NT).

The same goes for the contrasts between Roman Catholic services and the Protestant ones. For example in the Eucharist, do we offer God a continuance of the sacrifice Christ made (RC), or do we rather recieve from God (Pr)?

This same scheme is applied to different areas. Apart from the Lords Supper, Roberts discusses the purpose of our meetings, and the place of music and singing. It's all very different if we view it as primarily flowing from us to God, or from God to us. And it's indeed very important. Sadly, many Evangelicals seem to be unaware of this difference and the importance of it, which makes this book all the more important.

The only chapter I was disappointed with was "The Nature of Christian Worship". It's overall a good chapter, arguing the worship is supposed to be what we do everyday, all the time with our life. When we are living as God intends us to live, we are worshipping God. Here Roberts provides a helpful discussion from Romans 12. However, Roberts downplays the fact that we (Christians) *are* dead to sin and indwelled by the Spirit, and instead focuses on our gratitude.

A minor issue is also that Roberts dismisses the Lutheran view on the Lords supper out of hand. Or rather it is ignored, while the RC view is dismissed, and with it goes the Lutheran view (which by no means is identical to the RC). Even if he was right (which i don't think he is) Roberts would have had to produce some arguments to make his statement helpful. (In all fairness, Roberts does offer one counterargument, but it's hard to consider that serious interaction.) However, since the general direction of his discussion is helpful, all that a Lutheran needs to do is to "fill in the blanks" concerning the real presence. Roberts throughout the book makes sure that the direction is from God to us, and that's the crucial point.

If you think Evangelical worship is generally sound, you may want to read this book to have your views challenged. Or if you, like myself, percieve much the of Evangelical worship to be misdirected, you may want to read a book by an author who has thought through these issues and can explain them in an easy-to-understand way. Either way, if you're interested in Protestant worship, this is a good book to read!

Roberts demonstrates a good grasp of a biblical understanding of "worship." Though not written for scholars, this book should be read by scholars as well as all folks. Roberts' church is in Oxford, England, so he is not ignorant of how leading biblical scholars might reflect on his book. He is making some valid points that are being completely missed in popular Christianity today.

Sprinkled within these 106 easy pages are illuminating real-life stories and illustrations that help the reader apply Roberts' points. Each chapter is brief, readable, and filled with a few insights I hadn't read before.

Example: Roberts talks of the negative "consequences of viewing music as an encounter with God." I'm still pondering that point, but it should demonstrate that Roberts has some interesting things to say.

Like me, you might have trouble agreeing with every point, but it's hard to deny that Roberts' points, if applied, can lead to a positive revitalization of today's churches. Since the book is reasonably priced, you can be sure that you'll get your money's worth of new insights into this hot and relevant topic for today's Christian.

I originally purchased this book for myself to understand worship better. I am on a worship team and want to begin leading worship. The book dispels a lot of myths about worship and provide a foundation straight from the bible. It is also very practical, and provides the reader with direction to start applying these principles in his or her life. After reading most of the book, I decided to purchase 10 copies with which to teach my youth group about worship. Overall, a very easy read and full of great information that gets you in position to receive God's blessing.