Keep that Kid Quiet...

A friend on Facebook posted a link to an article and a quote that I found thought-provoking. Couldn't agree with the following sentiments more:

"Usually disruptions in services are regarded as coming from children. I really appreciate churches that regard the typical children noise as holy noise. One church I visited has taken cries of a child and said to the congregation, 'Turn that cry into a prayer that you're praying for the underserved people of the world whose needs are not being met.' But if a disturbance comes from someone in a tantrum, a child is having a tantrum, then I think that child needs to be removed from the service so that child is not embarrassed by their out-of-control behavior. So it depends on the nature of the disturbance, but to say there should be no disturbances in a worship service creates a very Western, cognitive-oriented worship service. Holy noise that is even sometimes distracting can be a great, beautiful sound to our God." Scottie May, associate professor, Wheaton College

Parents need to be sensitive to address unruliness. However, a coo or momentary cry should not be cause for panic, nor should it draw dirty looks from those around them. Rather than a hindrance to worship, these coos and cries should be aids to thanksgiving for the gift and prospect of glory that this little life represents.

Grace & Peace,

J

Ever Growing

Karen and I are thankful to the Lord for the growth he is giving both our daughters. Both girls seems to be growing at exponential rates. The other day we noted how Emma has nearly outgrown her high chair. When we first put her in it she could barely see over the tray. Now her head from the neck up rises above the back of the chair and the foot rest has been lowered to the lowest setting. Abby has literally doubled her birthweight in two months and seems to have grown a few inches as well. We know this growth is a gift and a blessing. Tonight I am reminded that if they were to stop growing it would be a significant cause for concern.

In similar fashion, our spiritual growth should be viewed in the same way. Calvin makes the following statement on the progressive growth that should be characteristic of the believer:

An eminent man boasted that he grew old, learning. We are therefore thrice miserable Christians if we grow old without advancement, for our faith ought to progress through all stages of our life until it grows to full [maturity]"--Calvin, Institutes, 4.14.8

Such a thought is in line with what Paul says to the Ephesian church:

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,* 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,* to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV)

Here are some questions through which I am working and commend to you for consideration:
-Are we desirous of good spiritual food? Do we strive for growth in godliness?
-Do we view the loss of appetite for God's Word and righteousness as serious a sickness as if we were not interested in eating physical food?
-Is He, as the Psalmist says, our portion forever?
-Do we live by bread alone to the neglect of the very Word of God?
-Do we understand that our spiritual health or lack thereof is interconnected with that of those around us, because God has ordained that we "build them up in love" (see verse 16 above)?

I pray that we will become ever hungrier for knowledge, communion, and conformity to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May He be formed in us and may we glorify Him now and forever.

Grace & Peace,

Jonathan

Worship & Theology

I am preparing to teach my first course in Systematic Theology this fall. One of the charges against such a study is that it is "too heady, too theoretical, and simply impractical." Certainly, the subject of theology can be pursued in such a way that it is all of these things. However, it need not be; in fact, it must not be if the church is to maintain her worship and witness within the world.

I found the following quote helpful for considering the proper relationship between theology and worship:

Worship is ritualized theology; theology is reflective worship. The quality of our worship is therefore an index of the quality of our theology (and vice versa). . . . Dogmatics [the formal study of theology] both begins in and leads to doxology (Vanhoozer, Drama of Doctrine, 410).

What do you think about when you worship God? When the songs are being sung, does the truth of their content evoke emotions of sorrow, joy, repentance, etc.? Theology aids worshipers by connecting the truths/themes of Scripture, bringing them into sharper focus, drawing out their implications for daily living, and much more. At its most basic level theology is the study of God's person and works. How can one look into these things and not be inspired to worship this God? If we find ourselves doing "theology" and not worshiping God more deeply and loving others more fervently than before, we are not doing theology well. At the same time, if we find ourselves "worshiping" and not reflecting upon the person and works of God deeply, we are not worshiping well either. May God grant us grace to worship Him in Spirit and truth with our entire being: heart, soul, mind, and strength.

J