Thursday, July 28, 2005
Theology of Reformed Worship 3
Order of Low Mass
We pointed out the many similarities between the Mass and the Reformed liturgies we have been reading, but we also examined the key prayer that emphasizes the differences.
The Palatinate Liturgy, 1563
We noted a powerful declaration of grace and absolution.
There is an explicit emphasis of catechism in the sermon. The unity of liturgy and catechism shape preaching, prayer, and teaching. This is demonstrated through a prayer with the elaborations of the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, similar to what we saw in Calvin.
Ursinus, The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism
This document develops careful distinctions about points in the catechism. Following yesterday’s class, we looked at the section on the second commandment.
Taylor, Sacramental Meditations
We looked at a few poems by this Puritan and noted the use of Calvin’s images of nourishing in the Lord’s Supper.
a Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service
This is a systematic theology for worshipers and includes practical advice regarding preparation for the Lord’s Supper, such as adornment (image of marriage, delight, and beauty) and language of pilgrimage (“walk the street with the heart of a stranger who is hastening to heaven”).
Doolittle, A Treatise Concerning the Lord’s Supper
•This is another document that gives instruction to worshipers in the Lord’s Supper: “Observe the sacramental actions, first, of Christ… observe the sacramental actions, second, of the receivers.”
•It also includes dialogues between a weak believer and a strong believer; these are filled with language of strong belief and have a mystic tone.
Willison, Sacramental Directory
This is a worship directory for worshipers describing what they should be experiencing in worship. One thing mentioned was allowing the experience of seeing others around the communion table be part of the communion experience.
Candlish, The Christian Sacrament
•In some ways, this is Calvin’s theology translated into a devotional manual.
•An additional emphasis is the eschatological aspect of communion: “the Lord’s Supper points forward to a more perfect and blessed communion with Him.”
During the first part of the afternoon, Harry Boonstra presented on Abraham Kuyper. Boonstra is working on the first ever English translation of Kuyper’s Our Worship. He explained some of Kuyper’s basic ideas, Kuyper’s place historically, and Kuyper’s specific teaching regarding the sacraments and the order of worship.
THEME: Holiness
We were left with the question “Where has the language of holiness gone and how can it be brought back with awe, not judgment?”
•Leder, “Holy God, Holy People, Holy Worship”
•Balantine, The Torah’s Vision of Worship
•Webster, Holiness
•Willis, Notes on the Holiness of God