Worship is a key part of the Adventist message we’re supposed to take to the world. But do we understand it as well as we should? Lilliane Doukhan takes an in-depth look at worship and culture in this week’s Review. http://www.adventistreview.org/2003-1537/story1.html

Interesting article, I think that our christianity and relationship with God should determine what our worship looks like and not what culture we are from.....Consequently then, no matter what the "culture" we should be able to worship.....

Darius,
It is unfortunate. I maintain that we use the 4th commandment as our get into heaven free card.....

Hey there Darius,
I have read the article and when I read the first paragraph, the author does not come accross to me as stating that we (humans) were to worship only on the 7th day. What I gain from this is that the first experience that would be, was that of Sabbath (a day of rest and worship) I can not infer to the author that it means that only on sabbath is there to be worship...We as a people (Christians) MUST worship on each day that we draw breath. And yes we must celebrate the Lord on the Sabbath day, for He made it as a Holy day...God bless you Darius, I enjoy reading your posts.

Daniel, what you did was read into the article what is not there in order to resolve the conflict. In essence, you deluded yourself. Here is the quote from the first paragraph.

quote:

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When the Lord designed our world, He chose to create man and woman on the sixth day, just before the day of worship.

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Compare it with another passage well-known to Adventists.

quote:

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Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

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Note the comparative use of the definite article. Why would you change "the" to "a" in the first instance but not in the second?

I am glad you believe differently from what is in the article, but that should not lead you to change what the author wrote. The reason why we have so many falsities being advocated by many of the rank and file is because of quotations like these which can be found in our writings.

When I read the article by Lilliane Doukhan, I wondered why she left out many of the worship modes described in scripture. Psalm 150, for instance, calls for praise in His sanctuary with trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, strings, flute, and cymbals. Where was the lively and enjoyable music and physical reaction to it in her outline? Nearly all the services in the old sanctuary and the temple involved eating and feasts. Today some churches follow the service with a "pot-luck," But we never include a meal in our worship (except for a cracker and a sip of grape juice at the communion service). Why not? Paul says "When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church" (I Cor 14:26). How often do we hear testimonies and other responses from the congregation in contemporary services?

None of this activity was mentioned in her article. Even the pictures implied a church which is practically dead. Where were the pictures that depicted Paul's desire where he wanted "men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer" (I Tim 2:8)?

Its no wonder Jesus called us "lukewarm" when we eliminate from our services all the fun things that He expected us to enjoy. Perhaps it really is time to reexamine what worship is all about. I like Jerry Cook's suggestion that we should think of "worship" as what we do during the week AFTER WE LEAVE the church. The activity in the building on Sabbath morning is just R & R (Rest and Relaxation) in preparation for our worship during the week. Perhaps while we are reevaluating things, we could also examine what the Sabbath is all about. But let's use the Bible for our text book instead of ancient Protestant traditions.

Bob Lee