Worship in the Melting Pot

by Peter Masters

Book Overview

New trends in worship have shaken traditional concepts and attitudes, giving rise to much heart-searching and a flurry of books. Is it all just a matter of generation and taste? Are the traditions of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1870855337
• ISBN13: 9781870855334
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Wakeman Trust
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Worship in the Melting Pot

Peter Masters is new to me even though he has been pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London for 39 years. I am pleasantly surprised to see that he has his head screw on right and has a proper worldview. A friend in Germany sent me several CD's of his preaching and he is great.

Excellent Book

"Worship in the Melting Pot" was written by Dr. Peter Masters, the pastor of the world famous Metropolitan Tabernacle since 1970. The Metropolitan Tabernacle was the church which C. H. Spurgeon pastored in the 19th century. Metropolitan Tabernacle has continued in the Baptist tradition of simplicity and predictability in its worship, which is in stark contrast to the pre-Reformation aesthetic (visual and/or physical) worship of Roman Catholicism and the post-modern ecstatic (feeling oriented) and profane (worldly) worship of Charismaticism and Evangelicalism. Dr. Masters set out to answer questions such as the following: "What's the matter with contemporary music groups? Isn't there every kind of instrument, including percussion, in the Psalms? Didn't they dance in worship in the Bible times?" (p. 9). He aimed to "focus on the four great pillars of worship--the principles which the Bible insists on" (p. 9). Dr. Masters primary text for worship centered around Jesus' answer to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:23-24: "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." From here Masters identified four major deviations from biblical standards in most modern worship. The first broken principle was that of aesthetic worship. Worship that focused on the physical trappings of art, drama, music, and performances denied the fact that true worship was worship that emanated from the spirit of man apart from any external means. Masters argued that today's contemporary worship with its bands, orchestras, lighting, and dance has become a throwback to the Roman Catholic emphasis on the physical to please the Lord. Great performances and production do not make, and in fact, may actually destroy, true worship. The second broken principle was that of ecstatic worship. Worship that attempted to generate feelings at the expense of rationality denied the biblical principle of worshipping in truth. Modern worship tended to "dumb down" the songs, messages, and anything else that might cause a seriousness of thought on the part of the worshippers. Modern choruses were theologically shallow (if not down right wrong) and repetitive, and were used to generate an emotional state of satisfaction and happiness. Masters argued that emotions should be involved in worship, but only after the mind was engaged and made fully aware of the great truths found in Scripture. The third broken principle was that of profane worship. Worship that adopted the styles and elements of the world that were directly associated with and used to promote anti-Christian themes and rebellion was worship that was worldly and profane. Worship has always maintained a separation from that which was evil; Christian worship was holy. Masters noted that the current trend arose out of two blending streams: [1] the Jesus People of California that refused to leave their "hippie mysticism" behind, and [2] worldly Christianity that wanted worship music to be like secular

a much needed and very helpful book

There is SO much emphasis today on HOW to improve worship (methodology), but so little available which focuses on the biblical teaching and examples regarding worship. This book has been of great help to our church, and I very highly recommend it to every pastor, worship leader, and any believer, as an excellent tool to better understand the various aspects of public worship from a biblical perspective. In past centuries, preaching was seen as the heart of the Sunday worship service. Today, in many churches, the music and other aspects have taken the spotlight. Is the way we worship simply a matter of preference or a cultural issue? Does the Bible give any clear principles upon which to build? These are vital questions, which are rarely being asked, and it is even more difficult to find answers which are grounded in God's Word. As believers, it is so very important to evaluate each issue in life on the basis of biblical principles, but to do that, we need to know the principles. This book helps to clarify the biblical principles regarding worship. Any Christian reading this book with an open heart and mind will definitely be stimulated to more carefully evaluate his or her position (or lack of position) regarding worship. I thank God for this book, and the help it will be for many. I heartily recommend it. Marco deFelice, pastor