The Worship Wars: A Tale of Two Questions
Every church—whether they admit it or not—answers two questions: How should God be worshiped, and who gets to decide? If you grew up in a modern church, you might think worship equals music and emotional connection. But that’s where the worship wars begin: an aging congregation stuck in their ways, younger members demanding change, and churches splitting over style. The real issue isn’t preference—it’s principle. The normative principle says anything not explicitly forbidden is allowed; the pragmatic principle asks only, “Does it work?” to attract crowds and create experiences. Both leave the door wide open for ziplines, marching bands, and manipulation disguised as worship.
The Regulative Principle: God Sets the Terms
The regulative principle flips the question: What does God actually command? As 1 Samuel 15 shows, Saul thought he could improve on God’s explicit command—keeping the best animals to sacrifice. Samuel’s rebuke rings through the ages: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Rebellion and presumption are as serious as divination and idolatry. When churches worship based on what feels right or what works to draw a crowd, they’re offering God a gift for themselves, like giving your wife a jiu-jitsu gi in your size. Worship is not about you. It’s about the God who commands Scripture reading, preaching, prayer, singing, and the sacraments—nothing more. And here’s the liberation: obedience to God’s design leads to joy, not boredom. If you’re bored in church, the problem isn’t the worship—it’s a surplus of pride and arrogance. Come with a heart ready to worship Him on His terms, and you’ll find true freedom.
Watch the Full Sermon below