Worshiptainment

The Modern Church's Golden Calf

De: Matthew Everhard

Narrado por: David K Martin

Worshiptainment: The Modern Church's Golden Calf is a hard-hitting look at the ungodly practice of mixing Christian worship services with the popular entertainment practices of the secular world.

In this book, Presbyterian pastor Matthew Everhard offers a sincere, heart-felt critique of the availing techniques that are all-too-common in our day such as using worship as a platform to build celebrity pastors, gain large followings, and entertain the people. Meanwhile, such churches given to these theatrics are jettisoning traditional worship, Biblical doctrine, and reverent attention to the True and Living God.

In this work, Everhard looks at common "worshiptainment" practices as it regards preaching, liturgy, music, the sacraments, and Christian leadership. All the while, Everhard argues that the church should return to the Regulative Principle of Worship, the Reformation-era ideal of only doing in worship what God specifically requires us to do in Holy Scripture.

©2024 Dr. Matthew V Everhard (P)2024 Dr. Matthew V Everhard

Very good book!

Everhard’s writing is both pastoral and prophetic, speaking with compassion for those caught in the allure of worshiptainment but uncompromising in his insistence that worship is ultimately about glorifying God. Readers will appreciate his ability to blend historical insight, scriptural exposition, and practical application.

For those concerned about the direction of modern worship or longing for a return to reverent, Christ-centered services, Worshiptainment is a must-read. It not only critiques but also offers a hopeful vision of worship that transforms hearts by drawing congregations deeper into the presence of God.

An Important Message for a Critical Time!

As someone who has recently migrated to the Reformed tradition of Christianity, and who is regularly horrified by the antics of too many American evangelicals and progressives alike, I was very excited to read this book. It did not disappoint! Pastor Matthew is honest and critical of a very disturbing trend in the modern faith, yet is gracious as a shepherd of the flock ought to be. He contrasts the insanity going on in many churches today with a clearly laid-out description of the more historic methods of the Reformed tradition. Most importantly, you can feel the heart behind the author and why he has such conviction to share this message: his love for God and the desire to worship Him in the proper manner, and his love for the Church and desire for her members to conduct themselves honorably and reverently before our Most Holy God.

I would highly recommend this book to any Christian, and fully intend to do so to my friends and family who also share a passion for Christ and his proper worship!

very good.

Good book! I had a few disagreements with the author on the subject of baptism. but other then that very well done.

Faithful, Biblical, Reformed

Matthew Everhard gives an intelligent and formidable critique of the excess and decadence found in contemporary worship. He clearly explains the regulative principle of worship and why it is essential. I would recommend this book to an evangelical looking to understand biblical worship or to a young reformed person who wants to steel their convictions.

Brings scripture to my own experiences

This book is one of my favorites in a while. It brings scripture to my own experiences. Seeing grievous and experiencing painful circumstances in the church. It covers the regulative principle in a clear and understanding way. It equips you in your examination of a faithful church and pastor.

Spot On

Pastor Matt does a fine job explaining worship, what it is and who it’s for. Worship is in adoration of God Almighty. It seems more and more as though God is merely a bystander watching and waiting to see what we want Him to do. We’d be better off relearning the basics and refocusing our praises back to Him. I didn’t notice ahead of time that Pastor Matt hadn’t narrated his book. I find him much more engaging.

Gentle and firm call to faithfulness

I definitely like how he doesn’t seek to condemn that those who do this may have very genuine and heartfelt intentions in using these pragmatic means. He seems to get his point across firmly, but with a gentleness that’s appreciated as he asks the reader to question themselves, not to look at his words as a finger wagging. It’s nice. A refreshing look at the regulative principle of worship. And I appreciate his encouragement for faithfulness to God’s Word in our worship.

A Much Needed Rebuke of Secular Worship Tainted by Calvinism

Matt is a solid contributor of Christian content and I’ve followed his media presence for a while. His heart is in the right place, which this book attests to, but unfortunately he intersperses his Calvinism throughout the book severely tainting the much needed message. Therefore, for those who would hold the view that Calvinism (or “Reformed” theology if you prefer) contains false and perhaps even damnable doctrines, the book must be read with discernment, eating the meat & spitting out the bones.

In fact the angry vindictive pastor that Matt describes in chapter 7, “Rock Stars”, who brings “the daggers out” in the face of criticism, is exactly the kind of man John Calvin was. “Painfully sensitive to criticism, and could not bear opposition with the patience of one who can conceive the possibility that he may be wrong... he often lost his temper and broke out into fits of angry eloquence; he confessed… that he found it difficult to tame "the wild beast of his wrath.” (The Story of Civilization, Part 6, The Reformation, pg. 447). An alleged detractor of Calvin (Jacques Gruet), “was tortured twice daily for thirty days until he confessed - we do not know how truthfully.. half dead, he was tied to a stake, his feet were nailed to it, and his head was cut off.” (Ibid, page 479). Another detractor (Michael Servetus) was condemned to be burned at the stake, pleaded with Calvin for mercy “who only offered him consoltation of true religion” if he would recant his positions (Ibid pg. 484). These things did not the true disciples of Christ yet it is this man that Matt lauds in this book as a faithful minister of the word and is set forth as an example to be imitated.

Regarding the doctrine of baptism, one of the fathers of reformed theology, Huldrych Zwingli said, “In this matter of baptism - if I may be pardoned for saying it - I can only conclude that all the doctors have been in error from the time of the apostles... All the doctors have ascribed to the water a power which it does not have and the holy apostles did not teach.” It’s difficult to imagine this level of pride in proclaiming that every Christian leader who has preceded you has misunderstood a critical aspect of the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:45-48), but that is the spirit reformed theology is rooted in.

Calvinism’s TULIP is false - Jesus Christ died for ALL who will believe the gospel, and appropriate the free gift by simply following the biblical formula of confession (Romans 10:9-10) and water immersion for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38). 1 Timothy 2:3-6 tell us that “God our Savior… desires *all men to be saved* and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom *for all*.” 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us not willing that *any* should perish but that *all* should come to repentance.”

But setting these doctrinal issues aside, the book uses language that is very accessible & the call to repentance from secular Christian worship is much needed in this era of hyper stimulation. Therefore, I give grace to, and thank Matt for, raising awareness to these erring practices. There is still plenty of meat to be garnered from the message in spite of its denominational slant. I definitely learned from it and will add what I’ve gleaned to my repertoire.