Protestant Worship Of The Reformation Era

Source: The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Robert E. Webber, General Editor

In these four entries, we find how the Reformation's break with the Roman Catholic church was expressed in the work of various synods, particularly in new documents and confessions. But nowhere was it more clearly visible to the ordinary Christian than in worship itself. Protestants conducted worship in the vernacular and in forms that were distinctly different from those of the Roman church. Perhaps the most powerful expression of this difference was in the emphasis on the Word of God read...

Lutheran Worship

Luther's liturgical reform was guided by the principle that if the Scriptures did not expressly reject a particular practice, the church was free to keep it. Consequently, Lutheran worship retained much of the ceremonial practice of Catholic worship.

Reformed Worship

Calvin argued that only practices explicitly taught in Scripture could be used in worship. For this reason, churches influenced by Calvin have been less inclined to restore pre-Reformation practices of worship perceived as unbiblical or "Catholic. "

Anglican Worship

Anglican worship has a variegated history, having fluctuated between worship forms similar to those of Catholicism and worship influenced by the Puritans. This accounts in part for the variations in worship within the Anglican communion of today. Nevertheless The Book of Common Prayer is basic to all Anglican churches.

Anabaptist Worship

Anabaptists argued for a pure church and a radical discipleship in absolute obedience to Scripture. They refused to countenance any form of worship that could not be substantiated by Scripture.

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