A Theology of Worship, Part I

I have previously stated that all people do theology, but not all people are conscience of this nor care to understand why theology is important (click here for previous post). Generically stated theology is an explanation of what one believes about God and why. In Christian circles theology refers to the God found in the Bible. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is also the God who is active in seeing His Church reach the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Since most people ponder questions pertaining to god (however defined) it would behoove good churches to preach good theology while also teaching good theology. The ultimate aim for a local church remains to create a  theology which leads to the worship of God found in the Bible. A theology of worship consists of the head and heart acting as one, offering a spiritual sacrifice to God on a daily basis. In order for this to be done sound orthodox theology needs to be sought. If the heart (or emotions) is engaged in the worship of God, but the head has no idea how to articulate who God actually is, how can worship be pleasing to the living God? Conversely, an unemotional, completely detached intellectual who understands all great theological truths of orthodox theology but fails to KNOW God beyond what is read in a systematic theology book also falls short. Both extremes are equally deficient in a theology of worship.

A Theology of Worship seeks to know doctrine in order to KNOW God. Let's say that the Bible is the foundation of the church. Doctrine is the structure of the building which lays on the foundation. Within this structure right worship is able to take place. Of course all analogies are deficient, however the point is that right worship of God must include a keen understanding of who is being worshiped. 

I have more thoughts on this, so stay tuned for Part II.