"For the Glory of God" by Daniel I. Block, a Review
For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship
Daniel I. Block
Baker Academic
Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road
Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Hardback – ISBN: 9780801026980; e-book – ISBN: 9781441245632; August 2014; $34.99
Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Michael Philliber.
Measured Examination
In numerous aspects, the subject of “Worship”
is tired and tuckered out. The “Worship Wars” have ground on for decades with
no real resolution. Simultaneously, the Christian music industry continues to
shape what is, and isn’t, sung in churches via Christian Radio and
chart-topping hits. Also many popular and prosperous churches have moved to a
Burger King - “Have it your way” – approach to Christian worship, as evidenced
by everything from voluntary communion to multiple “worship services” conducted
concurrently in the same building, each catering to niche populations. It seems
that the whole subject of worship is no longer worth wrestling with, nor merits
thinking over. Nevertheless, Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of
Old Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and author of several
books, essays and commentaries, has
chosen to address the subject of worship in his new 432 page hardback, “For the
Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical
Theology of Worship”. Block presents a scholarly work, inviting Evangelicals,
Independents and Protestants of every stripe, to recover the importance of
worship, and summoning them to journey with him through its “whys” and “ways”. In
many respects, this is an irenic work that warrants some engaged thought by
church leaders, as well as church members.
In “For
the Glory of God,” the author lays many of his cards out on the table right up
front. To begin with, Block approvingly rehearses Edith Humphry’s five maladies
that plague worship in the North American Church: (1) Trivializing worship; (2)
Misdirecting worship; (3) Deadening worship; (4) Perverting worship; and (5)
Exploiting worship (11). Next, he states the two foundational principles of the
book; First, true worship is about the glory of God, rather than human pleasure;
and second, the Scriptures guide us in how to worship God (25). Block then brings
out the legitimacy of looking at the Old Testament – what he calls the “First
Testament” – with regard to this subject, “Although most assume that unless the
New Testament reiterates notions found in the First Testament the latter are obsolete,
we should probably assume the opposite: unless the New Testament expressly
declares First Testament notions obsolete, they continue” (25-6). Finally, the
author crafts a working definition of God-honoring, Biblical worship: “True
worship involves reverential human acts of submission and homage before the
divine Sovereign in response to his gracious revelation of himself in accord
with his will” (39). This chapter helps the reader to see that there are no
hidden agendas in what follows, but that the author is fairly and forthrightly
upfront.
Block then
goes on to tackle a host of matters in “For the Glory of God”. Each chapter
follows a basic pattern of looking first at the Old Testament, moving to the
New Testament, and then coming around to how it all helps the reader to think
about the facet of worship he has just covered. The author hikes through
various topographies, examining the terrain, flora, fauna and the wildlife,
while diligently keeping to the trail. The several landscapes include the
object and subject of worship; daily life, family life and work as worship; the
many ordinances and rudiments of worship to include hearing and reading
Scripture, prayer, music, sacrifice, the liturgical calendar, design of sacred
space, and role of leadership in worship. The reader will quickly recognize
that much of the discussion and observation is relatively technical, with
transliterated Hebrew and Greek words on most every page. Though at first
glance this looks daunting, once one gets used to the rhythm, the rhyme and the
reasoning, it becomes easier to decipher and decode what Block is saying and
doing.
“For the
Glory of God” comes to endings and inferences that might not always be
appreciated. To mention a few instances: Block’s analysis of the seventh-day-of-the-week
Sabbath, rather than a first-day-of-the-week Christian Sabbath leaves one
wondering if he thinks the seventh-day Sabbath is still the divine norm. Similarly,
the way the author comes at the subject of a worshipper vocalizing love for God
will likely unsettle many. Likewise, his acceptance of some form of credo-baptism
will close the book for a few, and the fact that he doesn’t attack those who
hold to paedo-baptism will possibly disappoint others. But whatever decision
the author makes with regard to a specific topic, and he always comes down on
one side or the other, he is careful to be gracious and generous in announcing
those conclusions. It is an irenic work.
“For the
Glory of God” makes several important observations. For example, the way the
author presents the Old Testament as still the authoritative Word of God for us
today – that it all applies except where specifically changed by the New
Testament – is refreshing. I have been saying this for years, and was tickled
pink to find a scholar of Block’s caliber saying the same thing. And the author
makes good on this framework by applying it to each issue, walking the reader
through the delicate dance of Old Testament as normative and New Testament as
interpreting the Old through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Another of the
author’s valuable insights comes in regard to the Ten Words of God, how the
Gospel of Redemption is its ground and foundation. Block rightly detects that
the Ten Commandments do not begin with the first, but with the prologue; “Contrary
to popular visual reproductions of the Decalogue, this document does not begin
with a command ( . . . ) but with the gospel. ( . . . ) This glorious gospel
sets the stage for the stipulations that follow” (90). There are other sound, solid and, for some
folks, shocking observations. But they are all manifestly examined and documented.
To claim
that “For the Glory of God” is an irenic work does not mean the author is
afraid to make bold statements, or that he shies away from strong verdicts. If
he sees that something is amiss in the North American Church, with regard to
worship, he calls it out. With regard to casualness in worship Block clearly
states, “Right of access may not be taken for granted or claimed as an
entitlement; the invitation to worship is neither universal nor unconditional.
( . . . ) having experienced the grace of Christ in salvation does not mean
that we may be casual about worship or that our cultic expressions of worship
are automatically acceptable to God” (84). And with respect to the way leaders
mishandle the Old Testament, he challenges his readers, “Fourth, evangelicals
must be cured of their schizophrenic disposition toward biblical regulations
concerning sacrifices and offerings. On the one hand, our leaders constantly
declare that First Testament cultic laws no longer apply, but on the other,
they cajole and pressure God’s people to tithe” (251). There are other
instances where the author will be very candid and direct as he applies what
has been gleaned from Holy Scripture. But it will always be with a measured, gracious
tone.
“For the
Glory of God” may strike a reader as pedestrian at times, but while the book
unfolds, it slowly becomes obvious this is the author’s irenic style. Whether
you agree with most, all, or few of Block’s conclusions, reading this book will
bring you to think more clearly about why your church worships the way it does
or doesn’t. It is an ideal book for pastors, worship leaders, elders, worship
teams and committees. And it model manuscript for laymen who are coming to the
realization that there just has to be more substance and basis for our worship
of God than personal impulses and pleasures. I recommend the book.
Many
thanks go to Baker and Net Galley for the free, temporary loan of the electronic
copy of this book used in this review.
[Feel free
to publish or post this review; and as always, please give credit where credit
is due. Mike]
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