Why all this talk about theology? Shouldn’t worship leaders excel in leading music and perfecting devotional forms and styles? Yes, of course, they should! However, how do these religious events relate to God? What does God think about worship? What God thinks is what worship theology is about. That’s it.
Okay! But does the Bible actually contain “theology?” Here’s how the Bible reveals God’s truth: Through stories, poetry, proverbs, lyrics, letters, sermons, visions, and theology. “Theology” is prose about how God sees truth. A Theology of Worship describes what takes place when we humbly submit our wills to God (worship) while living out our daily lives; inwardly with soul, outwardly in service.
Jesus’ ministry was deeply impacted by Jeremiah. Jeremiah preached at the gate of the temple. Jesus taught in the court of the temple. Jeremiah urges people to repent for God’s judgment is at hand. Jesus proclaimed, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Jeremiah foresaw a new covenant of mercy and grace (31:31-34). Jesus’ blood ratified this new covenant of grace (Matt. 26:28).
Jeremiah gave us a theology of worship. He taught the people theology as they entered the temple. Jesus taught Jeremiah’s theology in his temple preaching. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, [when you worship] and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done [as evidence of worship], without leaving the others undone” (Matt. 23:23). [ ] added
Our Lord grounded his worship theology in Jeremiah’s statement below:
“Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom . . .But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment [justice], and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD” (9:23-24). These are pretty strong statements.
However, as worship leaders let’s be cautious in acknowledging our gifts, our special services or sessions of songs of praise; rather let’s find satisfaction in this, That we profoundly understand and know Christ, our one and only LORD, exercising through us his loving kindness, justice and righteousness in both the church and community. For in these he delights, according to his Word.
Biblical worship is more than simply singing, I love you Lord, I love you Lord. It’s loving what the Lord loves; living out what the Lord loves; submitting to what the Lord subscribes to. As worship leaders we want our theology to take us beyond forms and styles to embrace God’s gracious heart and mind, reaching out to real people in real need with God’s love, and lyrics about justice and righteousness.
John Hubley. Mindheart Foundation. November 2008