II. Post New Testament Worship

Question: What does the word paradigm mean?

    Pattern or way of understanding and thinking about something. It is common within theological circles to think of 6 very different paradigms of time in the history of the Western Church. In each period of history, Christians have wrestled with different philosophical, scientific and cultural factors.

     A form of Christianity, successful in one era, changes as another era begins. Those who remain committed to the old form of faith subsequently freeze that form in the particular culture in which it was generated. this process accounts for much of the diversity we have in the church, both Protestant and Catholic today.

    A. Primitive Christianity  (1st Century)
         A balance was beginning to be seen between the Corinthian/Gentile exuberance and the Jewish concern for order in worship.

Clement 96 AD  In his letter to the church in Cornith there are a number of exhortations about worship. Read and revere the Word; repent and confess sins; show humility before God's majesty; proclaim the Word of God; acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit; give offerings for the support of workers; prayer.

    B. Common Era of Christianity (100-500)

Pliny 111-113 AD He was governor of Bithynia and he addressed the Emperor Tragan concerning the Christian meetings.
            -They had a habit of meeting at a fixed day before daylight and recited responsively among themselves a hymn
              to Christ as a God.
            -They bound themselves together by an oath not to commit any crime but to abstain from theft, robbery and adultery,
              not to break their word or deny a debt due to another.
            -Before they left, they had a meal together.

Didache 120 AD was a bridge from Jewish to Christian worship content and form. Worship day changed to Sunday. It gives specific  instruction on Baptism and the Lord's Supper among other things concerning worship.

Justin Martyr 150 AD Spoke of a mixed assembly of rich and poor sharing the peace of Christ and benevolence offerings to the poor and needy. 1st full worship outline is found in his Apology (140 AD) included Sunday worship.
        -The reading of Scripture for as long as time permits.
        -Sermon explaining and exhorting the people to apply the Scripture.
        -Stand to pray
        -Communion is taken. Communion is sent to the absent by the deacons.

            But all this is not structured. The 'president' improvised according to his ability.

The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome  220 AD  Prayer were said by the people while standing with their arms stretched heavenward or folded over their breast. It was the custom to stand during the reading of the Gospels. The worship service was divied up into two parts: the Word and the Table. The people helped in reading Scripture and with responses, prayers and alms.

Question: What do you know about Christianity during the time of Constantine?

Constantine 320 AD   Peace from persecution for the Christian church. The establishment of the Church and State as one. Power now in the head of the church not in the emperor. Forced baptism and conversion to the official religion, Christianity. The church during this time converted many pagan festivals and customs and invested them with Christian meaning.

     BUT, because of great heresy, the foundations doctrinal creeds were developed during his time. The years from 300-400 AD are considered the period of 'Classical Christianity' the golden age of the church fathers and the most creative and formative time in the history of the church.

Question: What do you know about Christianity during the Medieval Period?

    C. Medieval Christianity (500-1500)
 General Observations
      -A swing from a relatively free form of worship turned to a rigid ritualism and fixed liturgy.
      -Emphasis on outward form and ceremony. Basically a reforming of the OT priestly system.
       The church distanced itself from the people.
      -Great church architecture..but this great cost led to the sale of bishops positions and indulgences.
      -Great music but only sung by a professional choir...little or no congregational singing.
      -The Mass was a repeating offering up of the sacrifice of Christ by the church.
      -Stipends for private masses replaced the offering. Land and endowments replaced stewardship.
      -Very holy view of communion (transubstantiation)
      -Communion became a spectator sport. People watched as the priests took communion and they took it only
        once per  year and then only the bread.
      -The priest spoke the Mass in Latin, with virtually no participation by the people.
      -Faith had become a work, the mass a sacrifice, non participative and no preaching.
      -Worship of Mary and saints (for mediation)
      -Worship/Mass for the dead.

Question: What do you know about monastic worship?

     Monastic Devotion
          -Began as a protest against the worldliness of the church but eventually became a formative and influential movement
           within the church.
      -Monks did not work, everything in life became subordinate to prayer.
      -Rules for prayer were developed.
-Emphasis was on the kingdom to come.