Do means matter?

 We live in an era of Christianity where Biblical corporate worship is declining at a rapid pace. Our culture’s infatuations with “new” things, combined with an ever widening pool of methods of artistic expression are causing the issue of corporate worship to become one of the hot topics in the church. The “ends” of corporate worship are rarely questioned in orthodox communities. God needs to be our focus, and that is widely accepted. The question that is plaguing corporate worship is this: do the means really matter? This question rarely is asked in this format, but it ultimately is the issue that needs addressing. The problem is that no ground can ever be made in discussing the “means” because said “means” have never been defined. Duncan writes that the “means are supplied by the book” (GPTG, 65). But what does that statement mean. I don’t see anywhere in scripture where Paul or Peter tells me whether or not to use drums, or guitars, or to use the organ for something more than a flower stand. In order to discuss the “means” of worship we need to define the means. The regulative principle does a good job of this. It defines “means” into 4 categories: Substance, Elements, Form of Elements, and Circumstances. (23) When we accept these categories, we can more easily discuss the “means” or worship.

With this in mind, it really becomes quite a simple discussion. Do the means matter? Yes, they do, because any aspect of our worship can directly affect the effectiveness of our worship. Do the means matter? If we’re asking questions of what’s included or the content of said inclusion (Substance or Elements) then yes. In fact, they’re biblically prescribed. Do the means matter? If we’re asking questions of style or presentation (Form or Circumstance) then no, in as much as they don’t affect the ultimate end of glorifying God. When we realize this distinction, and lay it out on the table, then we are able to place our focus on the ends of glorifying God.