A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity

"Worship...is far too important to be left to personal preferences". This statement, made in the first chapter of Sproul's book on worship, sets the tone for the entire discussion that follows. R.C. Sproul offers the Christian community a mini-theology of worship. He convincingly argues that far from standing back and allowing us complete freedom in how we choose to worship, God in fact preciously defined worship for the Old Testament believer. The author challenges his readers to ask the question: "If God Himself were to design worship, what would it look like?" The answer is simple: "We're not left to speculate on the answer to that question, because vast portions of the Old Testament text are specifically devoted to a style and practice of worship that God Himself ordained and established among His people." While recognizing the inherent discontinuity with the New Covenant, Sproul still sees operative principles at work. The several chapters of the book cover a wide range of issues related to worship. Worship is something which demands the entirety of the believer (living sacrifices) and involves three elements: offerings of praise, offerings of prayer, and offerings of sacrifice. The middle portion of the book is an extended discussion of the sacraments (Lord's Supper and Baptism) and their relationship to worship. The book includes three chapters on baptism, the last one being a defense of infant baptism. In this chapter Sproul gives what is perhaps the most irenic and charitable disagreement with believer's baptism currently in print. He fairly portrays the Baptist point of view and carefully outlines his rationale for padeobaptism. Frankly, these three chapters alone are worth the price of the book. Yet, although this last chapter was very helpful it did seem out of place. It's significance to worship wasn't readily evident and if he had simply omitted this chapter the flow of the book would have been smoother and more focused. Sproul then challenges the worshipper who is bored with worship. They are bored, he insists, "because they have no sense of the presence of God". Only when we understand that worship is an encounter with the risen Christ will ours hearts be set ablaze. To achieve this understanding, Sproul believes we must allow our whole person to enter into worship. Thus, the last section of the book argues for utilization of all five senses (following what Sproul believes to be an Old Testament model). This section was fascinating, but far too brief and ends somewhat abruptly. Overall, this volume is an excellent overview of the basic biblical principles of worship.

This is another great work by R.C. Sproul. He share with me some views i had not previously thought much about and showed through this book the involvement of God in everthing. I especially loved how he connects the old testament with the new to show us our current application of biblical principles. Thanks R.C.

Dr. Sproul goes through great lengths to describe baptism as a sign or seal to the New Testament covenant. As Circumcision was a sign or seal to the Old Testament covenant, Baptism is a sign or seal to the New Testament covenant. The author does a fair job describing the counter argument to believers Baptism. Dr. Sproul argues that Baptism is assign of coming to the Family of God; actual belief is a realization of this fact. I disagree; I believe that a person needs an actual knowledge and belief to be identified with God's Kingdom. The author goes through great lengths in describing the difference between a sign and symbol. A sign points to the actual fact whereas a symbol represents the actual thing. Symbolism is not to be confused with mere symbolism or activity that does not reflect the actual glory of God and His great acts. Dr. Sproul goes to great length to identify worship with the God described in the Bible. If one accepts the idea the Bible is God's word then what the Bible teaches about worship should be prescribed in God's Church. TH e words of the Bible should take precedence over personal taste, enjoyment or fulfillment. Worship is not about oneself. This should not be confused that worship should only touch the cerebral. Yes worship service should provoke thought, understanding about whom God is and the works of God. Pure knowledge of these things should provoke an emotional response. That does not mean that the form, the organization of the service, worship surroundings, and actual activity of the service cannot form additional emotion about God and His great deeds. R.C. Sproul argues the Old Testament worship as prescribed about the Old Testament did this and some of it can be used enlighten us about worship in the New Testament Church. Yes the New Testament looks at the perfected sacrifice of Jesus. No current repetitive sacrifice need occur. The author does an excellent job of describing why the Lord's Supper in representation and the actual Spirit of Christ in the Lord's Supper should a very emotional experience in reverence to what God has provided so one need not pay the consequence of their sin. Not be confused with a physical actual corporal body being involved. R.C. Sproul also argues baptism as identification to Jesus and the New Testament Covenant.

This is an excellent book on worhsip. Sproul stresses the importance and the use of the 5 senses in worship. it is also a solid apologetic on infant baptism and he makes a great appeal for the use of wine in the Lord's supper. This book will unfortuntley fall on deaf ears, but happy is the church that follows his suggestions.

This is an excellent book on worhsip. Sproul stresses the importance of the use of the 5 senses in worship. it is also a solid apologetic on infant baptism and he makes a great appeal for the use of wine in the Lord's supper. This book will unfortuntley fall on deaf ears, but happy is the church that follows his suggestions.