Dec 21, 2010

Recommended Reading: Christian Worship

3 Min Read

The Church is called to worship God in spirit and in truth, yet sometimes believers are confused about exactly what this means. Adding to the confusion is the fact that there are numerous ‘styles’ of worship in various Christian churches--styles ranging from the very informal to the highly liturgical. There are a number of helpful books available on the biblical doctrine of worship. Among those I have found useful are the following:

General Introductions to Christian Worship

1. [A Taste of Heaven](http://www.ligonier.org/store/a-taste-of-heaven-hardcover/ “A Taste of Heaven”) by R.C. Sproul

Dr. Sproul’s little book is a wonderful introduction to the subject of Christian worship.

2. [A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of Christ-Centered Worship](http://www.ligonier.org/store/a-better-way-rediscovering-the-drama-of-god-centered-worship-paperback/ “A Better Way”) by Michael Horton

Horton examines the church’s worship by means of word and sacrament and does so in dialogue with our contemporary worship context. Very helpful.

3. [With Reverence and Awe: Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0875521797?ie=UTF8&tag=ligoniminist-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0875521797 “With Reverence and Awe”) by D.G. Hart and John R. Muether

D.G. Hart and John Muether are both members of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and their book is a good introduction to this tradition of worship. Readers may not agree with everything they argue, but they will certainly be challenged.

4. [Worship](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804232520?ie=UTF8&tag=ligoniminist-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0804232520 “Worship”) by Hughes Oliphant Old

Old’s book looks at Reformed worship from a historical perspective, offering numerous insights. Most helpful.

5. [Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship](http://www.ligonier.org/store/give-praise-to-god-hardcover/ “Give Praise to God”) edited by Philip Graham Ryken, Derek W.H. Thomas, and J. Ligon Duncan III

An excellent collection of essays dealing with every aspect of worship from a Reformed perspective.

6. [Gospel Worship](http://www.ligonier.org/store/gospel-worship-hardcover/ “Gospel Worship”) by Jeremiah Burroughs

This book by the Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs is on Dr. Sproul’s list of most influential books.**

7. [Covenantal Worship: Reconsidering the Puritan Regulative Principle](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0875525628?ie=UTF8&tag=ligoniminist-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0875525628 “Covenantal Worship”) by R.J. Gore Jr.

This volume differs from those above in that Gore finds several weaknesses in the regulative principle. An important book.

8. [Recalling the Hope of Glory: Biblical Worship from the Garden to the New Creation](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0825435781?ie=UTF8&tag=ligoniminist-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0825435781 “Recalling the Hope of Glory”) by Allen P. Ross

Unlike the books listed above, Ross’s work is a biblical theological examination of worship, tracing the relevant topics thematically from Genesis to Revelation. Wonderful book.


This article is part of the Recommended Reading collection.