With Reverence and Awe: Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship

“This is a good book, which ought to be read by every believer who wishes to engage in worship that is pleasing to God because it is worship that is in harmony with God’s will as revealed in the inspired, infallible Scriptures.”

“The authors are measured, balanced and compactly comprehensive. The book is, after all, a primer, so they shorthand some of the more controversial or questionable Old School hermeneutics. It’s nonetheless heartily recommended to pastors and elders.”

“Hart and Muether have produced a refreshing and informative primer on Reformed worship. Concerned with the integrity of Reformed worship in these days of the so-called "worship wars," the authors argue for a traditional Reformed approach they see as biblically and confessionally faithful. Simply put, worship must not be disconnected from its theological foundation. Responding to the trend of less formal, relaxed, and more user-friendly worship formats, the authors remind us that Christian public worship ought to reflect the antithesis between the church and the world. While worship should be intelligible, it should not be confused with evangelistic outreach and therefore ought not to lose its "alien" nature and heavenly focus. Hart and Muether discuss two key Reformed principles of worship, the "regulative" and the "dialogical." While you might not agree with everything the authors say, you will wrestle with essential issues of Reformed worship.”