Resumo de The Gospel Of John

Worship in the New Testament: Inspiration from The Gospel of John
We have a gestalt, a holistic view of worship in modern Christianity. Our summation of worship is often what we want it to be. Some of us make a clear distinction between praise and worship, but most of us simply show up for the service and take what we get. We can draw from all of the meanings above to define and express worship, and we can add many traditions with which we feel a sense of cultural comfort.
We do have direct instruction and description of worship in the New Testament. "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24 NIV[i]
This instruction doesn?t set the form of worship, but it does convey a feeling, an attitude, a depth of emotion. It can?t just be predetermined rote motions, recitation, or vain repetitions. Sincerity is important. In fact, it?s critical.
Our ideas about worship are as varied as the people who practice Christianity. Various cultural preferences make the worship experience very different depending on geographic region, economic demographics, social status, or education. I don?t have to tell you, I?m sure, that even in the same town, you can find wildly diverse worship experiences.
People tend to congregate together in groups in which they feel comfortable. There is a human tendency to prefer cultural and ethnic homogeneity in worship despite the church's mandate to provide a more diverse and inclusive experience.
Many of us have heard that the most segregated hour in America is ten o?clock on Sunday morning. This is often used as a condemnation of racism or economic divisions, but should come as no surprise. People are free to worship where they please. They do this because they seek a similar kind of worship with others in whom they see similarities and rest at ease.
These similarities exist in a variety of church practices. Components of worship may include spoken prayer, prayer of confession, call to worship, visual aides (slides, movies, props), music (live, recorded, instrumental, voice), scripture reading, litany, responsive oration, celebration of the sacraments, drama, tithing, dedication, fellowship, and sermon. I am sure that I?ve left some out that you may include in your services, but then again, I?ve never been to your services.
The Old English word weorthscipe comes from worth + -ship. The etymology of the word recognizes the worthy nature of God. Webster?s New World Dictionary defines worship as ?reverence or devotion for a deity; religious homage or veneration; a church service or other rite showing this.?[ii] This is an attitude or an act done with a proper attitude. Other than perhaps the legalistic argument over the word veneration, I think this definition sounds right to most Christians.
Worship (Medieval worschip, Latin adoratio, Greek latreia, [???????]) has specific linguistic and cultural baggage with it, though. It is both a condition of God (worthy) and a practice of Christians to demonstrate that we recognize God?s worth.
Worship is distinguished separate from veneration in a modern sense (Medieval veneracion, Latin veneratio, Greek douleia [???????]) Veneration is traditionally suitable only for relics, saints, artefacts, and (perhaps) angels because it has historically been accompanied by a modicum of religious power, miraculous manifestation, or supernatural access. The common definition is ?a feeling of deep respect and reverence.?[iii] I mention this only as part of the discussion, not to introduce a dialogue about the scriptural basis (or lack thereof) for veneration. It?s legal for Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox Church, but Protestants think of it as idolatry.
I like o think of veneration in different terms, just so we all understand. If I had an item once owned by Augustine of Hippo, I?d put it in a glass case in a very visible place. I?d look at it every day. I?d ask everyone I knew to come over and look at it with me. I can see doing the same for a toe bone of St. Boniface (mostly because he once met Charles Martel.) After all, ?One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.? Romans 14:5
I?m less inclined to judge the practices of other denominations harshly now that I?m over forty. There are strong historical motivations for some of the things that others do. I need to get it right for me first, like figuring out what ?worship? is.
Worship is not just something that happens on Sunday morning, it is any act done in respect, remembrance, celebration, or homage to Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. It can show reverence or gratitude. Worship recognizes that God is worthy of our praise, attention, money, time, and efforts. Fundamentally, it is centered on the attitude of the heart.

[i] All Biblical references are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version © 1984, International Bible Society

[ii] Webster?s New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, David B. Guralnik, Editor in Chief, Prentice Hall Press, 1985

[iii] Ibid

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