Posts by Vern Poythress

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How Then Shall We Sing?

Vern Poythress
Dec 7, 2021
I have argued that our worship should glorify God and edify the Christian community . To that end, our songs need to be biblically based, yet also crafted in a way that promotes the active participation of the congregation. I have already offered some of my own opinions on how that is best achieved...

Some Suggestions for Songs

Vern Poythress
Nov 23, 2021
In our last post, we saw why songs for congregational singing need to have biblical content , as well as music suitable for active participation. We have also seen how worship should be conducted for the glory of God and the building up the Christian community. With all of this in view, we can now...

Singing That Builds Up

Vern Poythress
Nov 17, 2021
As we saw previously, meetings for worship should be conducted for the glory of God, and for the purpose of building up the people, the Christian community. Everything in worship should be oriented to these goals. Building on the principles set out in Part I, we now concentrate on congregational...

Oecolampadius and the Benefits of Elders

Vern Poythress
Oct 26, 2021
In an earlier article , we sketched the history leading up June 8, 1530, when the Basel city council considered Johannes Oecolampadius’ proposal to establish elders and reinstitute biblical church discipline. The proposal was rejected, and so the benefits Oecolampadius’ work were not immediate. On...

Elders at the Reformation

Vern Poythress
Oct 19, 2021
What are the important milestones for the Reformation? Traditionally, we date the beginning of the Reformation from Oct. 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther set out his ninety-five theses. That day was indeed a watershed. But we can also point to the importance of several other milestones. The pope...

Singing with the Saints

Vern Poythress
Sep 28, 2021
For decades now, Christian congregations have had to deal with differences in musical styles in Christian worship. Some prefer "contemporary music." Others prefer "traditional music." The differences become a source of contention. Sadly, we now have the term "worship wars," as a label to describe...

A Celebration and Lament over Science

Vern Poythress
May 24, 2021
What is the meaning of science? Let me begin with a personal reflection. Beauty I have been given the unfathomable privilege of sight. I have seen awesome beauties. I have seen Niagara Falls and Yosemite Falls, and tall sequoia trees. I have seen the Grand Canyon, falling snowflakes, and fireflies...