A Biblical and Confessional Understanding and Approach Copyright © 2011 James Alan Waddell TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP.

A Biblical and Confessional

Understanding and Approach

Copyright © 2011 James Alan Waddell

TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF

WORSHIP

Biblical and Confessional Approach

● Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

● Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

● So What Would It Look Like?

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

● Biblical Basis

● Centrality of the Gospel

“It is also taught among us that one holy Christian church will be and remain forever. . . .

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

“. . . This is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. . . .

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

“. . . For it is sufficient [ satis est ] for the true unity of the Christian church that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it . . .

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

“. . . and that the sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word. . . .

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

“. . . It is not necessary [ nicht not ] for the true unity of the Christian church that the ceremonies, instituted by men, should be observed uniformly in all places. . . .

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

“. . . ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.’”

─ AC VII.1-2

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Holy Gospel Holy Baptism Holy Communion

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Purity of the Gospel Salvation

by grace alone through faith alone for Christ’s sake

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Purity of the Gospel Salvation Neither Earned

Nor Deserved Pure Gift

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith─and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God─not by works, so that no one can boast.”

─ Ephesians 2.8-9

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Sacraments Administered

in accordance with the

Divine Word

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Holy Baptism Water & Word Gift of Faith Not a Good Work ‘We’ Do A Work of God’s Grace on the

Depraved Sinner

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Holy Communion True body and

blood of Christ given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Koinonia — 1 Cor. 10

Sunerchesthai — 1 Cor. 11.17-34

Holy Gospel Holy Baptism Holy Communion

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Leitourgia

Leitourgia

“This word does not properly mean a sacrifice but rather public service. Thus it agrees quite well with our position . . .

Leitourgia

“. . . namely, that the one minister who consecrates gives the body and blood of the Lord to the rest of the people . . .

Leitourgia

“. . . just as a minister who preaches sets forth the Gospel to the people, as Paul says, ‘Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries’ . . . .”

— Ap XXIV.80

Leitourgia

“. . . This is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. . . .

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

‘Liturgy’ in the Lutheran Confessions

Narrow Sense – Given by God

Broad Sense – Given by the Church

Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

Liturgy in the Narrow Sense

Given by God Given by the Church

Liturgy in the Broad Sense

Humanly Instituted

Rites and Ceremonies

The Gospel &

the Sacraments

Theological

Center

Sacraments

Holy

Scripture

Gospel

Baptism

~

Eucharist

Given by God Given by the Church

Word

Theological

Center

Sacraments

Holy

Scripture

Liturgy

Gospel

Baptism

~

Eucharist

Historic

Confessional

Witness

Humanly

Instituted Rites,

Ceremonies & Traditions

Given by God Given by the Church

Word

Church’s History

& Traditions

Lutheran

Confessions

Liturgy in the Narrow Sense

Given by God Given by the Church

Liturgy in the Broad Sense

Humanly Instituted

Rites and Ceremonies

The Gospel &

the Sacraments

Biblical and Confessional Approach

● Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

● Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

● So What Would It Look Like?

ESSENCE

The

Gospel

Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

Structure Style

Aesthetics

Deep Surface

Structure Structure

ESSENCE FORM

The

Gospel

Baptism

~

Word

& Meal

Worship

Classical-

Traditional “Contemporary”

Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

Structure Style

Aesthetics

Deep Surface

Structure Structure

ESSENCE FORM FUNCTION

The

Gospel

Baptism

~

Word

& Meal

Delivery of

the Gospel

Good

OrderCatechesis

EdificationWorship

Classical-

Traditional “Contemporary”

Avoidance of

Frivolity & Offense

Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

Structure

Deep

Structure

ESSENCE FORM FUNCTION

The

Gospel

Baptism

~

Word

& Meal

Delivery of

the Gospel

Good

OrderCatechesis

Edification

Avoidance of

Frivolity & Offense

Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

Structure Style

Aesthetics

Surface

Structure

FORM

Worship

Classical-

Traditional “Contemporary”

Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

Domains of Liturgy

Surface

Structure:

Style /

Aesthetics

Worship

Good Order,

Catechesis,

Edification,

Avoidance of

Frivolity &

Offense

HOLY

GOSPEL

Deep

Structure: Delivery

of the

Word, Gospel

Baptism,

Meal

FORM ESSENCE of the CHURCH FUNCTION

Biblical and Confessional Approach

● Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship

● Criteria for Critiquing Worship Forms

● So What Would It Look Like?

Luther’s German Mass

So What Would It Look Like?

Preparatory Rite● In Nomine

● Confession & Absolution

So What Would It Look Like?

Word● Old Testament

● Epistle

● Gospel

● Sermon

● Nicene Creed

● Tithes & Offerings

● Prayer of the Church

So What Would It Look Like?

Sacrament● Lord’s Prayer

● Words of Institution

● Peace

● Distribution

● Blessing

Preparatory Rite● In Nomine

● Confession & Absolution

Word● Old Testament

● Epistle

● Gospel

● Sermon

● Nicene Creed

● Tithes & Offerings

● Prayer of the Church

Sacrament● Lord’s Prayer

● Words of Institution

● Peace

● Distribution

● Blessing

● Psalms

● Hymns

● Spiritual Songs

● Baptism

A Biblical and Confessional

Understanding and Approach

Copyright © 2011 James Alan Waddell

TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF

WORSHIP