The Glory of Puritan Worship

 The Glory of Puritan Worship


I am perfectly well-aware, of course, that the word "Puritan" will scare-off some people; and they will have no interest in this subject.  But, for those of you who have the stomach for such discussions--I hope that what will follow will be helpful to you, and will be a blessing to you.

 

By "Puritan Worship," I have in mind, in this context, (exclusively), the subject of the faithful church's Sunday worship services.  For those of you who are familiar with it, I also am assuming the concept of the so-called "Regulative Principle."

 

. . . So, what I propose to be the "glory" of Puritan worship is its unique ability to be universalized; while, at the same time, being as "devoid" of cultural "trappings" as is practically humanly-possible.  In other words, "Puritan worship," at its best, is the most Scriptural, and the least culturally-bound worship possible.  I must hasten to say, that it is virtually impossible to be completely free of ethnic, and racial, and language, and cultural influences (and even [sadly] biases)--but, I think, "Puritan" worship is designed to come the closest to this ideal as is possible.

 

Why do I say all this?  Because "Puritan" worship seeks to sing Scriptural songs; and it seeks to be free of cultural [especially-musical] influences.  The exclusive psalmodists, and exclusive a cappellists among us will rejoice to see words like these--but, I have to confess, that I am not (and this is by conviction), an exclusive psalmodist.  (I have less conviction about musical instruments.)

 

Unlike in the Old Covenant, when and where Sabbath Worship was clearly (and intentionally) culturally-bound; and commanded (by God), to be totally separated from anything alien (to the Hebrew people and the [Old] Covenant economy of God)--this has been entirely changed (by God) in the supremely-more-glorious New Covenant era.  The church's worship today is not to appear to be "Jewish" or "Gentile."  Such distinctions are foreign to the gospel; and they are abhorrent to the God of grace.

 

But, how do we avoid "Jewishness" or "Gentileness" in a Sabbath (Sunday) worship service (in these New Covenant days)?  Well, the only way I can see this happening is by taking "Occam's razor" to everything extravagant, provincial, unnecessary, and (especially-importantly) unbiblical.

 

Obviously, a language must be employed; a place must be occupied; a preponderance of race or ethnicity may be evident (sadly)--but, every effort should be made to minimize anything that is provincial or that has the tendency of excluding anyone (on the basis of skin color, country of origin, or economic [or other legitimate demographic criteria]).  Worship that unduly highlights certain especially-cultural musical styles, etc., should be avoided (as much as is possible).

 

With what are we left?  Prayers (including invocations, absolutions,  and benedictions), sermons, creeds/confessions/catechisms, sacraments, and vows.  Who can argue with these? . . . As we can clearly perceive, the main "bug-a-boo" tends to revolve around music.  This is pretty much unavoidable.  But, so long as the church's Sunday worship services are elder-led, no other unnecessary complications should come into play.

 

Puritan worship's freedom from images, statuary, and icons also promotes "universality" and a welcoming spirit.

 

. . . But, without the Holy Spirit none of this amounts to anything.  All the church's worship, for it to be acceptable to God, must be done through the mediation of Jesus Christ; and it must accord with the Messiah's insistence that the Father seeks people who do their worshipping "In Spirit and [in] truth," (Jn. 4:24).

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #69

26 January 2026

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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