The Four Biblical Marks of Corporate Worship - by Jason K. Allen

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We should note at the onset that the author is not here to tell us about worship, he's here to explain a proper Sunday church service according to his church tradition. For him, worship is not bowing before the King of kings, worship is the Sunday agenda. Worship is what the reformers told us what is permitted and not permitted.

This is the Regulative Principle of Worship, expressed by John Calvin this way:

God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by His Word.

This is the go-to definition that has been handed down to contemporary Reformed/Calvinist churches. Shockingly, the author will never quote this principle! This is a startling omission.

Lastly, we note that this article doesn't contain a single Scripture quote. Not a word. We must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.

(...)

The Regulative Principle Considered

The ordering of worship for Protestant churches has followed two general patterns over the past five centuries. (Why is the author restricting his evaluative process to the past 500 years? What was worship like before this? What was worship like in the first century church? 

Obviously, the Reformation happened 500 years ago. Therefore, he's only interested in considering what bolsters his traditional view as expressed by reformed doctrine.)

Martin Luther advocated what became known as the normative principle, arguing the mass—as celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church—should basically remain intact, sans the aspects of RCC worship that clearly violated Scripture. (This is a wholly uninformative explanation. What parts did Luther consider in violation of Scripture? What parts did he accept? What was the biblical basis for his criteria?)

The Pandora’s box-like openness of the normative principle—that worship is free to incorporate what is not forbidden scripturally—is its most obvious and vexing liability. (Why is it obvious and vexing? Please explain. 

We shall speculate, because the author tells us next to nothing. Apparently the normative principle is based on the potential for sin. We don't know this for sure, however, because the author never explains.)

The regulative principle, advocated by John Calvin and the Reformed tradition, (Our suspicions are confirmed. This article is actually to explain worship in the context of the Reformation.

And, again we notice the author actually mentions the principle [eight times, to be exact] and its source, but never quotes it.)

argued the church should essentially start over, only permitting into corporate worship that which the New Testament explicitly calls for. (This seems vexing to us.)

Over time, the regulative principle became common practice in much of the Free Church tradition, including Baptist churches.

Based upon what is specifically prescribed in the New Testament, the regulative principle includes four features in public worship: Scripture reading, corporate prayer, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and the preaching of God’s Word. (Hmm. What about the ordinances?)

Historically, the public reading of Scripture, mandated in I Timothy 4:13, (Let's quote, since the author seems at loathe to do so: 

1Ti. 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

We don't wish to nit-pick, but this verse refers to public reading, but doesn't mention the church service.)

has served as a scriptural call to worship—a reminder the church has gathered to hear from God. Often the congregation stands as it is read, showing reverence, deference, submission, (??? Are these activities sanctioned by His word?)

and a physical reminder the Bible is the Word of God.

Prescribed in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, (Let's quote:

Ep. 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord... 

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

We suspect, however, that Paul's admonishments have little to do with hymnals and an organ. And we sincerely doubt the author's church has people teaching and admonishing each other. Especially in song.)

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs have always marked the worship of God’s people. The psalter served as a Jewish hymnbook, and the New Testament records early church hymns.

In I Timothy 2:1, Paul instructed the church to practice corporate prayer. (Let's quote: 

1Ti. 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...

Now, the reader would do well to remember that this was a letter written to Timothy, to instruct him. Paul does not tell us that this was to be the practice of a church service, this is what Timothy himself was commanded to do.)

Whether praying for one’s nation and governmental leaders, the infirmed, the church’s ministries, the lost, or for God’s blessing on the service, every time God’s people gather their prayers are to be offered. (We certainly agree, but this Scripture does not tell us about that.)

In II Timothy 4:2, Paul instructed Timothy to preach the Word, explaining and applying the Scriptures for God’s people. (Let's quote:

2Ti. 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.

Again, we might be accused of nit picking, but there is no mention of a church service here.)

The preached Word is one of the central recoveries of the Protestant Reformation, even affecting church architecture with the pulpit becoming the central feature of the worship center (Is it biblical that the preaching of the word is central to the design of the church building and church service? Why doesn't the singing occupy this position? Or prayer? Or Scripture reading? Where exactly doe the Regulative Principle apply?)

and the main course of the worship service.

Additionally, observing the ordinances are always welcome when an individual is ready for baptism or the church elects to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. (Oh, so the ordinances are in there somewhere. But they're not one of the four regulative principles?)

Moreover, the regulative principle does not preclude making announcements, greeting visitors, or collecting an offering, (What? Let's quote the principle again: 

God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by His Word. 

How is it possible that non-sanctioned activities are permissible in a Sunday service? The author has negated his entire premise!)

but it does so mindful of the worship service’s flow and where such ancillary matters are best positioned. (This sounds much more like Luther's "normative principle" that previously was so obviously "vexing" to the author.

Now we don't know what to think.)

Biblically Faithful, Practically Helpful

While the regulative principle helps ensure the worship service is biblical, it also brings many practical benefits. As a pastor, one will often be asked for special promotions, features, or emphases to be made in the worship service. Some of these are especially cringe-worthy, sure to distract from the worship service, if not downright unbiblical. If the congregation has a general awareness of why the church does what it does in the worship service, then the pastor can point to the regulative principle as an objective criterion. This depersonalizes the denial of the request and avoids the appearance of playing favorites.

Practicing these four elements brings other benefits as well, including keeping the church in the stream of believers from previous generations. (Tradition.)

It also sets the worship service on higher ground—thus avoiding worship wars (??? What is this?)

—and it ensures a certain baseline quality and spiritual vitality in the service. (That is, it ensures there are no surprises or disruptions. Let's make sure everything proceeds according to schedule. We don't want any of that shouting or raising hands, that's for sure.)

This doesn’t preclude a Sunday evening concert, a Bible conference, or a service exclusively for prayer; rather, it means we might best think of those events as concerts and conferences, (Arbitrary exceptions. Apparently these are not worship services even though the Body is gathering together.)

as opposed to formal worship services. ("Formal worship services," i.e., Sunday mornings only, adhering closely to the Regulative principle of worship. Does any of this strike the reader as empty ritual based on 500 years of empty tradition?)

We might also more intentionally guard the integrity of corporate worship, especially when God’s people gather on Sunday morning.

Conclusion

I once frequented a restaurant that had fabulous food, but it always seemed just a bit much. The entrée, which was hard to beat on its own, always had an added sauce splattered on the top or a garnishment protruding from the steak. The chef intended the additives to complement the meal, but they wound up distracting—and detracting—from it.

Sometimes we do the same thing in public worship. Our attempts to improve Christian worship may, (Who is trying to improve it? In actual fact, it sounds like worship needs its own reformation.)

in fact, distract from it. Often, less actually is more. There can be a beauty in simplicity. We might do well to de-clutter our worship services.

When it comes to the regulative principle, I am not legalistic. (We almost laughed out loud...)

I still facilitate an offering, greet visitors, and make announcements. But a broad recovery and commitment to these four elements might revive our services. (How about a commitment to Jesus? How about following the leading of the Holy Spirit? What about a Scripture like this: 

1Co. 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Is the author's church doing what "must be done?" Or how about this one: 

Ac. 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Does the author's church resemble this church in any way at all?)

Let’s be intentional about our worship services and privilege these four biblical aspects of worship.