This fall I was talking about the depth of Christianity in comparison to what I see with modern Christianity sometimes that might be described as a certain amount of superficiality with a friend. I know ‘superficial’ is a strong word, but hear me out. When I open the Bible I see beautiful depth and what could even be described as beautiful paradoxes, but when I look at what would be called contemporary Christianity, the word that comes to mind is superficial or even something like placing the life of a Christian or God in neat and tidy box of sorts. Then I ask myself, “Is it this neat? This tidy? Because it would appear not to be both played out in the Bible and also played out in life in the midst of a sin wrecked world!” I have to confess, that I certainly add to this and by no means would I ever say I’m innocent of increasing the superficiality of Christianity, but it is things like this that rack my mind. I know, I know… Maybe I should direct all this pondering to something more worthwhile, but that is the point – it is worthwhile! Because my [our] faith should be all encompassing! So anyway… back to my friend. He told me that I should listen to a radio show from the guys over at White Horse Inn, entitled “Happy Clappy Worship.” He then went on to explain it to me, I was intrigued, but not intrigued enough to run home and find it on the net, but yesterday I did. So I’m wondering, what do you think? Give each of the 4 segments a listen and let me know. Agree or disagree? Before listening please take a deep breath and relax. I’m a little “iffy” if I should post this, but I’ve been thinking about things like this for awhile now, and not just in response to worship but all of Christianity, and I’d love to hear what you think about it too! It doesn’t matter whether you agree with me or not, I’d love to hear what you think and then still be friends on the other end! 😉
“Happy Clappy”! I’ve never heard that expression until I listened to these 4 segments. Sunday mornings at some contemporary church services that I have visited seem to be nothing more than a “pep rally for Jesus”, led by cheerleaders. These have not been pleasant experiences for me. I don’t go back.
True worship, according to the Word of God, comes from worshipping God, Who is a Spirit, in spirit and in truth (reality). -see John 4:23-24. “Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.” -Psalm 24:3-4
In my experience, if we are hurting, we can’t mask the pain and sing those upbeat “happy clappy” songs with the crowd. In other words, as the Word says, we can’t be “false”. We meet the Living God in the truth or the reality of our circumstances and who we are in the midst of them. God the Father knows us better than we know ourselves and, thankfully, is even now, seeking the true (genuine) worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and truth. Oh that we may be among those that He is seeking as His worshippers!