Variety in worship - how much is possible?

[MW]

I don't follow your rationale - we are to "panta dokimazete" and keep the good, and not just the preaching and prayer.

God prescribes what is for His doxa, seeing as finite creatures cannot by searching find out God. God has prescribed the forms to be used in congregational singing, and has not given liberty for uninspired men to compose these forms and impose them on the congregation, for that would add to His word. He has given liberty to men to preach and to pray extempore, and for the congregation to judge whether or not said preaching and praying does in fact glorify God, according to the rule of the Word.

 

[panta dokimazete]

If I may,

God prescribes what is for His doxa, seeing as finite creatures cannot by searching find out God. God has prescribed the forms to be used in congregational singing, and has through the application of His Word and Spirit given liberty for His children to compose these forms as they are gifted and present them to the assembly, just as the Psalms teach us. He has given liberty to men to sing, preach and to pray extempore, and for the congregation to judge whether or not said singing, preaching and praying does in fact glorify God, according to the rule of the Word and the Spirit.

so once more - we agree in spirit if not in this one area. Thanks for the engagement.

 

[MW]

so once more - we agree in spirit if not in this one area. Thanks for the engagement.

 

[elnwood]

If the new song is aligned to the Word and the Holy Spirit it is as implicitly true as a sermon or prayer imposed on the congregation.

This applies to "new writings" as well. So you have your same dilemma, that your line of reasoning opens the door to the Apocrypha. If men's compositions can be imposed on the congregation to sing, then men's compositions can be imposed on the congregation to read.

Many Reformed congregations read the Confessions and Catechisms aloud. Do you have a problem imposing those men's "composition" on a congregation?

 

[MW]

Many Reformed congregations read the Confessions and Catechisms aloud. Do you have a problem imposing those men's "composition" on a congregation?

If the congregation reads it, yes. If the minister reads it as a part of his sermon, no.