This excerpt assumes the reader is familiar with the Regulative Principle of Worship and the difference between elements of worship and circumstances of worship. See here for a brief introduction: What is the Regulative Principle of Worship? John L. Girardeau, Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church pp. 147-156 (1.) It is not claimed,… Read More Is Instrumental Music a Circumstance of Worship?
This article assumes the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW), which is the biblical doctrine that everything of religious significance in worship must be prescribed in holy Scripture, either explicitly or by good and necessary consequence, such that “whatever is beside the Word of God is against the Word of God.” [1] Given the RPW, the… Read More A Concise Case For Exclusive Psalmody
Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church by John L. Girardeau A divine warrant is necessary for every element of doctrine, government and worship in the church; that is, whatsoever in these spheres is not commanded in the Scriptures, either expressly or by good and necessary consequence from their statements, is forbidden. 1.… Read More The Regulative Principle of Worship Proven From Scripture
Michael Bushell, Songs of Zion, chapter 4, section 3, pp. 163-165. The second commandment is by far the most important scriptural passage dealing with worship. It teaches us that God alone determines what kind of worship is acceptable to Him and that He rejects all forms of idolatry irrespective of source or good intention on… Read More The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Second Commandment
Objection: Scripture repeatedly speaks of singing a “new song” (Psa. 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa. 42:10). The four beasts and 24 elders sang a “new song” (Rev. 5:9), the 144,000 followers of the Lamb who had gotten victory over the beast also sang a “new song” (Rev. 14:3). Therefore, we may (or should) compose… Read More Psalmody Objections Answered: “New Song”
James Durham A Commentarie Upon the Book of Revelation pp. 6-19 Download as PDF There is much spoken of the Glory of God in this Book [i.e., Revelation]; and no where is the distinction of the Persons of the glorious Godhead more frequently and clearly set forth. Iohn was more full in this than any… Read More The Holy Trinity and Object of Our Worship
The Regulative Principle of Worship Defined We can only approach God on his own terms, not only for salvation, but also in worship. The Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW) is the doctrine that everything of religious significance in worship must be prescribed in holy Scripture, either explicitly or by good and necessary consequence, such that “whatever… Read More What is the Regulative Principle of Worship?
Preface to the Bay Psalm Book (1640) A discourse declaring not only the lawfulness, but also the necessity of the heavenly ordinance of singing Scripture Psalms in the churches of God. The singing of Psalms, though it breathe forth nothing but holy harmony, and melody: yet such is the subtlety of the enemy, and enmity… Read More The Necessity of Singing the Psalms
There is no doubt that Calvin pioneered psalm singing for his generation and that the Reformed churches quickly became known for their psalm singing. It is more difficult to prove that Calvin and the various churches of the evolving Reformed tradition of that time were Exclusive Psalmodist (EP) in the sense we understand it today… Read More Was John Calvin an Exclusive Psalmodist?
“Now, I see here today more people that I am accustomed to having at the sermon. Why is that? It is Christmas day. And who told you this? You poor beasts. That is a fitting euphemism for all of you who have come here today to honor Noel. Did you think you would be honoring… Read More An XMas Day Sermon by John Calvin
