Pinson Book Critique

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Pinson Book Critique Ardelia J. Butts WRSP 540: Current Issues in Worship August 17, 2023

1 Author Information Dr. J. Matthew Pinson is a native of Pensacola, Florida and presently serves as the President of Welch College in Gallatin, TN. Dr. Pinson has previously served as the President of the Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. Dr. Pinson earned his bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of West Florida. Dr. Pinson holds a master’s degree from Yale University and a Doctorate from the prestigious Vanderbilt University. Dr. Pinson’s ministry has led him to lead congregations in several States, including Alabama, Connecticut, and Georgia. He has authored several books in addition to this one, including Four Views on Eternal Security , A Free Will Baptist Handbook , Classical Arminianism , Arminian and Baptist , Gender, Sexuality, and the Church , and The Apologetics of Leroy Forlines . Content Summary A greater understanding of Christian worship is broadened by the perspectives that have emerged over time. Times and traditions have changed, but the true essence of worship itself has not. Dr. Pinson invites the reader to investigate five profound viewpoints in an effort to reveal the inner thoughts on Christian worship. Much detail and respect are given to the contributors that Dr. Pinson has invited to share in his study of Christian worship as a whole. Understanding the historical contexts of each of the worship perspectives allows the reader to come to terms with the changes that have come about over the years. 1 The changes in Christian worship came along with other changes in the political and social eras in history. When the legal systems in place changed in various parts of the world, so did the manner in which worship to God was offered. 2 This text 1 J. Matthew Pinson, Perspectives on Christian Worship , (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2009), 1. 2 Ibid, 8.

2 covers five of the most prominent perspectives on Christian worship and how each shaped the ways in Christian worship has changed over time. Pastor Timothy Quill makes his case about the importance of Liturgical worship in the Christian community. Quill contends that liturgy is not dictated by people’s personal taste, but it is the articulation of a Church’s doctrine. 3 Quill contends further that the differences between law worship and gospel worship is what makes the liturgy so important. Quill attempts to persuade the reader to accept that worship is given to God for the gifts that He bestows on humanity. Quill states several times that worship is the expression of God’s grace to His people rather than their gift to . . While Quill continues to defend the importance of liturgy, he admits that some of the tenets of liturgy are unimportant because the Scriptures do not command them to be done. These practices are also not forbidden, so some liturgical practices are matters of choice. Churches make the decisions on liturgy that suits them, and they move accordingly. 4 Quill senses that liturgy is more of a historical thing than a Biblical aspect of worship, but his feelings on the matter seem to be conflicted. He makes a great case for liturgy, but in the end, liturgical worship itself is left up to the Churches and congregations alike. In his response to Quill, Duncan asserts that there is a spirit of complacency that can come over worshippers where liturgy is concerned, and it lessens the authenticity of their worship. 5 When the worship offered to God becomes second nature to the Christian, going through the motions separates the believer from God’s presence. Quill, in his stance, fails to address this fact. Duncan’s chapter on traditional worship begins with a definition of worship because Duncan asserts that most of the confusion starts there. While offering his views on what worship is and is 3 Ibid, 19. 4 Ibid, 20. 5 Ibid, 83.

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