The Calvinistic Reformers Were Right About Worship: Defending the Historic View of the Regulative Principle
Critics of the Reformation doctrine of the regulative principle of worship (Steve Schlissel, Doug Wilson, and others) need to give us something specific as to their positive position on the second commandment and the public worship of God. We who uphold the Reformation doctrine of the regulative principle have specifically set forth our positive position concerning public worship in numerous lectures, books, newsletters, web pages, etc. It is the critics’ turn to do likewise.
The critics must state specifically what the second commandment allows and what it forbids, to the best of their ability, after having studied the relevant data. They have taken their shots at our work, where we have stated our position. Once they have put forth their positive position we will critique it from the perspective of the regulative principle. Observers of this debate will then be able to determine which side represents the Scriptural position.
The historical and theological sources cited by the modern detractors of Reformation worship will be clearly evident once they get around to presenting their position. Will they be citing the Westminster Divines, the Reformation Dutch Synods, John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, George Gillespie, and John Owen in support of their views? We already know the answer to that question.
There would then no longer be any question about who the real classical Protestants are and who is following the teaching of a different theological position.
It is important to answer a couple of key questions pertinent to this issue: When the Calvinistic Reformers studied the Bible to determine the proper theology of worship, did they get their theology wrong? Was the truly Biblical position on worship held by the Episcopalians, Lutherans and Roman Catholics?
In providing the *specifics* of their position on worship will our modern reformers prove to the onlooking Christian community that they follow in the footsteps of the original Reformers? Or, will they show that they follow in the footsteps of those who opposed the Reformation? Will they adopt the classical Protestant position on worship or will they reject it — and be honest enough to say so publicly?
The regulative principle of worship is a two way street. Agree with it (and continue to apply it faithfully to each specific act of worship, as your understanding increases) and you are on the road to Westminster and the Covenanted Reformation; disagree with it and (at the most basic level) you are on the road to Rome.
Every Christian is forced to choose sides. If you don’t worship God according to His instructions, you will follow man-made worship practices. (This article has been adapted from “Saul in the Cave of Adullam by Reg Barrow.)
For further information about Scriptural worship (following the Regulative Principle of Worship), church history and the Reformation, please visit PuritanDownloads.com. There are many Reformation theology resources at that site.
