Also, I think I used to be a little idealistic about church, but after a while I realized that these people (worship leaders, etc) were just people like me doing there best to lead the congratulation in worship. I’m sure there is a place for thinking about aesthetics and perhaps even criticism, but at the time I was focusing so much on those that I sometimes was neglecting what we were doing (worshiping God) and I wasn’t really thinking of how I could love my neighbors who were serving me.

It’s complicated and confusing, yet something we should think about, but I guess in doing so, we should always worship God and love our neighbor first.

Creeds are important measurements of belief that have stood throughout time in order to test the orthodoxy of believers since they serve as summaries of biblical truths. Beliefs that we take for granted, such as the formulation of the Doctrine of the Trinity, took years to be codified. In fact, the Apostles Creed predates the canonization of scriptures and served as the Rule of Faith for congregations. I would say that the specific controversy that the Nicene Creed is a response to makes the Creed even more valuable. Arianism disputes the divinity of Christ which distorts the relationship of the Trinity. That’s about as bare bones as theology can get. There is room to continually weigh these doctrines and prove them with scripture, but the wheel does not need to be reinvented. Additionally all of these churches around the world are daughter churches of this tradition, be it Orthodox or Roman Catholic. It only makes sense that they would accept the bedrock of the Christian tradition that they have inherited.

Liturgies on the other hand are expressions corporate worship. I think that it’s important for these structures to ring true for a community and also compel them to greater worship. I am specifically reminded of the Roman Catholic Church’s acceptance of vernacular language within the Celebration of the Mass after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). In this case, many Roman Catholics were able to take part more fully in their own worship services since they were able to fully understand the language that was used. Perhaps a Korean church would be better off making sure that the symbols and words used in their service were appropriate for their service, but to neglect the wealth of Christian history that is out there is foolish.

I must admit I’m treading in an area where I know little - really just thoughts here. I do think that if the “western-ness” of our liturgy ever gets in way of the Gospel in other cultures then it’s relevant. If, liturgy is liturgy is liturgy and cultural flavor doesn’t really matter - then I agree, it’s not really a relevant issue.

I would be most interested in talking to anybody who’s seen our American/European liturgy at work in other churches around the world and how that has worked out!

I would ask this - is “appropriateness” in terms of Western-applied-to-non-Western worship really a relevant issue? God does not change, although He may reveal Himself in many ways; anyone who worships Him should do so reverently and in fear of His holiness which we cannot attain. Western liturgy definitely aids in that reverence and, in that sense, would be suitable to apply to churches globally.

Sorry I didn’t really answer the questions brought up about the Nicene Creed. Perhaps next time.

Great post! Short, and sweet, and to the point.

Charles Murray is dead on here. The safety nets of govt. are acting to kill off the human spirit of community and sharing and giving and interaction between it’s citizens.

I will forward your post to all my friends! Both of them should really enjoy it!

Thanks so much!

- Steve Martin San Clemente, CA

Sometimes I think that one of the ways in which the Fall has affected us is by limiting our ability to compromise, blend, and exist in that middle area. Maybe not always, but often it seems that sin and extremes on issues go hand-in-hand.

You are absolutely right. I find myself always longing for quick and easy answers but there aren’t many to be found. Testing things and examining my heart is difficult and so I don’t like doing it, but it’s good and necessary to do so.