Regulative vs. normative principle of worship—which viewpoint is correct?

Answer

The regulative principle of worship asserts that Scripture provides specific guidelines for conducting corporate worship services and that churches must not introduce anything beyond those guidelines. For instance, churches adhering to the regulative principle in worship often refrain from using musical instruments, as there is no New Testament command or example that supports their use in the church. The normative principle suggests that anything not explicitly prohibited by Scripture can be incorporated into corporate worship. One key distinction is that the former views the Bible’s instructions as a strict code of conduct, whereas the latter regards them as guiding principles. Both uphold the authority of God’s Word, but they differ on whether it prescribes an unchangeable blueprint for corporate worship.

The regulative principle is commonly linked with Reformed churches, while the normative principle is widely embraced in modern evangelicalism. Although more liturgical churches like the Catholic, Episcopalian, and Orthodox traditions may seem to adhere to the regulative principle, they also include many elements not directly specified in Scripture. The presence of formality and repetition does not necessarily indicate a regulative service, just as a more relaxed atmosphere does not necessarily signify a normative approach. Tradition often gives the appearance of biblical authenticity, when in reality, it may seem right simply because it is familiar. However, formalism should not be equated with fidelity to the Bible.

Supporters of the regulative form of worship believe that God, the One to be worshipped, has clearly instructed us on how to worship Him. They also cite Paul’s instructions to the churches in Colossae and Corinth as evidence that there is a correct and incorrect way to conduct services. The Corinthian church was descending into disorder due to their misuse of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 11:17-18, 33;14:23) passage addresses the issue of allowing women to disrupt the church services. It states, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law” ((1 Corinthians 14:34)). Additionally, they were profaning the Lord’s Supper as mentioned in (1 Corinthians 11:20-22). The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 14 provides specific guidelines for behavior in corporate worship in response to these issues. The church at Colossae was cautioned against incorporating “human tradition” into their services, as stated, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” ((Colossians 2:8)). Therefore, based on Paul’s instructions to various early churches, some believe that he was providing general guidance for all corporate worship experiences.

The regulative principle has several strengths. It aims to honor God and His Word, maintaining a focus on God-centered worship rather than pleasing man. It effectively eliminates worldly practices or elements with pagan origins that have been adapted into Christian worship. It relies on the Bible, rather than popular opinion, as the ultimate authority on church matters. However, one weakness of the regulative principle is its tendency to become legalistic by strictly rejecting anything not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. It may also confine worship to corporate settings, rather than promoting it as a daily practice. Furthermore, it does not address many aspects of a worship service not specifically covered in the Bible, such as service duration, use of instruments, and other practical considerations.Much technology should be utilized, and numerous other cultural issues were not relevant in Bible times.

The normative principle of corporate worship also upholds the Bible as the ultimate authority but teaches that anything not explicitly prohibited may be included in services. Drama, special music, movie clips, and PowerPoint presentations can all be utilized in normative worship services since they are not forbidden in Scripture. Advocates of this worship style emphasize that each church and culture expresses worship uniquely, even those in Bible times. They believe that the Bible’s guidance on worship services was intended to be a framework for understanding God’s heart rather than a set of rules. They contend that regulating worship services fosters an artificial approach to worship and God, rather than allowing corporate expression to flow naturally from a lifestyle of worship (Deuteronomy 6:6-8;1 Corinthians 10:31).

Here are some strengths of the normative principle: It promotes creative worship expressions through arts and technology. It establishes a more casual and relevant atmosphere for new believers and those unfamiliar with traditional church settings. It accommodates diverse preferences and styles while upholding biblical principles. It integrates Scripture into contemporary culture, reducing the tendency for postmodern individuals to see the Bible as obsolete and insignificant. Some weaknesses of the normative approach include its potential to embrace worldliness in incorporating culture. It may lean towards entertainment-focused gatherings rather than genuine worship of God. It could also shift towards a human-centered focus by adopting whatever is popular among the congregation.

So, which perspective is correct? Every Bible-believing church community must be guided by the authority of Scripture. Failure to do so would result in it no longer being a New Testament church.

Established church. However, among those churches that adhere firmly to God’s Word, there is a wide range of acceptable forms of worship. Many congregations adopt a blend of both perspectives. The extremes of either are not pleasing to God. Extreme regulators may turn into pharisaical individuals, establishing regulations based on principles and criticizing anyone who deviates from those regulations « Judge not, that ye be not judged. », (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, extreme normatives may be at fault for teetering on the brink of worldliness and justifying questionable behaviors by asserting that they are being “all things to all people” «To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. », (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Paul tackled this matter in 1 Corinthians 10:23–24. “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others” «All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. », (cf: 1 Corinthians 6:12). Galatians 5:13 states, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” It seems from these passages and similar ones that God’s desire in collective worship is for all believers to set aside their own preferences in favor of what benefits others the most. It is also evident that just because something is trendy or attractive does not mean we should adopt it.

The Bible does provide us with instructions for the gathering of the church, and no congregation has the autAuthority has the power to completely disregard them. Several elements are crucial for a healthy congregation: reading the Bible “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”, (1 Timothy 4:13), preaching the Bible “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”, (2 Timothy 4:2), singing hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), prayer (Matthew 21:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17), and celebrating the Lord with two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The primary goal of corporate worship is “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13). The church is to function as a body, unified in Spirit, for the purpose of accomplishing God’s will on earth.

However, even though we are unified by one Spirit “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,”, (Ephesians 4:5), people and cultures have unique needs. Different styles of worship appeal to different people and meet needs that other styles don’t meet. The prevailing law governing every church should be the law of love “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; ThoThou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself., (Galatians 5:14). If a person struggling with addiction finds salvation because a church presented excerpts from the Home Run movie one Sunday, then that church has fulfilled God’s commandment. Whether following a regulative or normative approach, both can achieve this objective as long as we prioritize Hebrews 10:24–25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”