Supplication in terminology to facilitate comprehensible understanding for the uneducated in the method of the ecclesiastic assembly
What does Keller mean on page 221 “There is also much more “simplicity” of voice, avoiding the typical sentamentality of contemporary “worship leading”? Just a question, not “the question”?
It is very interesting to me how much time Keller puts into be careful about language (pages 224 and 225). Be authentic, but not to the point of speaking as though you were speaking to a friend. Don’t be archaic, but be stately. We’ve talked about speaking His name as a comma, and we’ve talked about leading corporate prayer as being somewhat less personal than in our prayer closets, but I found myself being put off by what I read as a snobbish attitude. I really appreciate it when someone talks openly and normally about and to God. I don’t think God is impressed by flowery words and put-upon stateliness. I think He wants to hear our hearts. The whole demeanor and emotion argument strikes my hot button because those from the extreme camps (be decent and in order, don’t raise hands, or forget yourself vs. I am free to be whatever I want because I am worshiping) make me feel as though how I am worshiping is somehow lacking because it isn’t what they would do. But then, just as I am getting good and worked up, Keller talks about “spiritual talk” (page 225, last paragraph) and I think we would do well to think about the ways we use language that excludes people from understanding or that makes us sound more spiritual. I wouldn’t freak out as much as Keller is, but as we are preparing our place in worship, perhaps we could think a little more about the words we use and how they are being understood by a visitor or new Christian.
Now, all that being said, and I apologize for length and ranting, I was pondering Appendix B, Prayers for those not taking the Lord’s Supper on page 249. I really like the idea of having something laid out and in the bulletin to help people navigate Communion, that’s always such an uncomfortable moment when I am a visitor and there isn’t clear direction. But, if I read it applying Keller’s admonition to avoid jargon, it fails miserably. How could the first paragraph, at least, be rewritten to be clearer to a non-believer? Or does it stand as is?
I think I would be petrified to pray in front of Keller
As to the prayers in appendix B, I think they are excellent, but could use a minor changes. I think the phrase “grant that I might be undaunted” should be changed to “please help me to follow You no matter the cost.” That would be a lot more understandable.
I think you hit on a good point in finding jargon in this prayer – especially since the ones who would need to listen to it would likely have the harder time understanding it.
In order to clarify the first paragraph, I would suggest changing “forsake their sin” to “give up sinful lifestyles,” “congregations that proclaim the gospel” to “churches that preach the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection,” and “meditate” to “reflect.”
p.s. Your title didn’t really make much sense to me
i win
You guys continue to raise the bar of impressive jabs!
You’re my heroes
This isn’t really to your specific question but to something else you mentioned. When you mentioned people praying to God as a friend. I agreed with you (of course). However, I do wish that people prayed with more fear. I know that when I pray I am sometimes scared to ask for things. Because of this fear I have to think carefully about the things that I ask God. I don’t know if this is right or not, but I do know that it causes me to prepare for my prayers with God both in mind and heart.
Hey Carla…… just my opinion i think its good to fear God, but recently i heard Joyce Meyers say that God doesn’t want us to be scared to ask for things because he says in the bible that whatever we ask we willl recieve. Sometimes God will say no but if he does at least we asked right. I believe God wants us to be bold when we ask for things but at the same time remain reverent. I struggle with asking God for things to so i i kind of understand where ur comming from…..
ok Amy….. If i was a new believer i probally would have been confused about what commuion is… and what the point is of it. Knowing me and how im such a DORK:) i would probaly would ask isn’t going to church communion already? aren’t we as the body in commuinon with one another. So i guess he should make the paragraph more specific on what commuion is. Did i answer your question.