Dr. Tom Wadsworth has made quite a name for himself recently on the podcast circuit by asking questions about ecclesiology that most Christians seldom think to ask. What exactly was the Christian assembly in the New Testament? Why did Christians gather? Was the purpose primarily to conduct what we now call a “worship service,” or was it something considerably more communal and participatory? Wadsworth has spent years examining the language of the New Testament and argues that the earliest Christians did not ordinarily conceive of their gatherings as temple-like worship ceremonies. The dominant language is instead that of assembly, fellowship, teaching, encouragement, participation, and especially edification—the building up of one another. I find much of his argument persuasive. But I would add several qualifications, particularly concerning the transitional character of the apostolic age, the difference between the Temple and synagogue models, and the continuing value of creed, confession, and even liturgy in forming a Christian people in an increasingly post-Christian world.
The first distinction that needs to be made is between worship and assembly. We commonly use the expression “worship service” as though it were self-evidently a New Testament category. We speak of going to worship, beginning worship, worship leaders, worship music, and worship centers. Wadsworth’s research raises a legitimate question. When the New Testament actually describes Christians assembling, its emphasis repeatedly falls upon what believers are doing for one another. Paul tells the Corinthians that when they come together various members contribute, and his governing rule is simple: “Everything must be done so that the church may be built up” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Hebrews tells Christians not to forsake assembling, but the immediate purpose is that they consider one another, stir one another toward love and good works, and encourage one another. Throughout the New Testament Christians are commanded to teach one another, admonish one another, bear one another’s burdens, forgive one another, encourage one another, confess to one another, practice hospitality toward one another, and love one another. That is difficult to reconcile with an understanding of church in which several hundred people sit passively looking at the backs of one another’s heads while a handful of professionals perform on stage.
Read Full Article: https://thewashingtonstandard.com/from-fervor-to-form-to-fossil/
