Overview
You will answer three questions in this response to Graeme Goldsworthy’s According to Plan: The
Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible (2002).
What is the nature of the priority of scripture for worship and how should it be applied in
worship?
What is biblical theology?
What are the advantages of the application of biblical theology to a theology of worship?
Section 1: The priority of scripture is generally affirmed by evangelicals, but the specifics of this
prioritization are often overlooked. You should consider a number of aspects of this prioritization in
worship beyond the simple common assertion that it is a priority because it is God’s word. Why is it a
priority specifically for worship and how should this priority be demonstrated? Give multiple examples.
You may choose to reference other sources in addition to the Goldsworthy book in this section. You
must cite scripture in this section. You may also reference your course videos. This section should be 2–
3 pages.
Section 2: Biblical theology is an important approach to theology that explores a topic in the order in
which the Bible reveals it from Genesis to Revelation. From your reading in the Goldsworthy book,
explore this approach to theology and what makes it unique from other approaches to theology such as
systematic theology. Emphasize the nature of this approach to theology and the progressive revelation
of the gospel from Genesis to Revelation. This section should be 2–3 pages.
Section 3: Finally, explore the advantages of the application of the field of Biblical Theology to a
theology of worship (this is what you will be doing in this course). This part of your paper will not come
from your reading and videos, but from your application of these sources (and others) as you assimilate
your thoughts and propose your theories. This section should be 2–3 pages.
Instructions
This paper should be approximately 8–10 pages in length (including the title page and bibliography).
You should include a title page and properly formatted bibliography
It should be approximately 8–10 pages in length (2000–2500 words)
o The Priority of Scripture in Worship (2–3 pages)
o What is Biblical Theology (2–3 pages)
o Advantages of the approach of Biblical Theology to Worship (2–3 pages)
This should be in Turabian format
It should be double-spaced, contain 1-inch margins, use 12-point Times New Roman font and
submitted as a Word document.
It should include no fewer than 3 sources including the Goldsworthy book and the Bible.
Format of assignment (APA, MLA, Turabian, etc.)
Number of citations
Other acceptable sources include textbooks from other courses, scholarly texts and articles,
and videos from this course.
0
God’s Plan for Worship
Submitted to Professor Connell
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THE COURSE WRSP 835-B01
Theology, Philosophy and Methodology of Worship
By
Johnathon Stovall
January 22, 2021
1
Worship is a lifestyle and saved my life. Worship is not just what you do Sunday’s but it how
you live your daily life, treat others and our obedience to God. The Bible states, “God is Spirit,
and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
1
Worship is our weapon and tool
against the enemy. We are living to live again. During this life as believers, we are face with
many trials and tribulation (Spiritual Warfare). Worship is the gateway through our problems and
to God. I have gathered this deposition for worship during this pandemic. I have been attacked in
every aspect of my life, worship and praise is what kept me and got me through. The Bible
states, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6)
2
Jesus was fully God and fully man, yet he was one person, the God-man. In Jesus Christ God has
communicated with us through a Word which is both di- vine and human. This, as we shall see, has important
implications for the way that we do theology.5
But now sinful humanity is being restored from its God-denying con- dition. How can people who are still
sinful approach a holy God? The bib- lical answer is through a go-between, a mediator. Moses is the mediator
of God’s saving acts in the exodus, and also of the word of God that interprets the redeemed existence brought
about by the saving acts of God in the ex- odus.144
1
2
2
. Everything about this structure speaks of three great truths: God wills to dwell among his people and to meet
with them; sin separates peo- ple from God; and God provides a way of reconciliation through sacrifice and the
mediatorial office of the priest. 144
The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals God to us. This gospel has meaning only if the God who devised it is the
ruling Lord and Creator of the uni- verse. Through the gospel we learn the purpose of creation and the meaning
of the universe. The accounts of creation in Genesis 1 and 2 tell us about the beginning of all things, and they
also tell us about relation- ships between things. How things were meant to relate is closely tied to their
purpose. These relationships, which were later confused by sin, are at the heart of the gospel by which God is
restoring all things to their proper relationships.9
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are
they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may
enter in through the gates into the city.” ( Revelation 22:13-14)
3
‘
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Bibliography
0
God’s Plan for Worship
Submitted to Professor Connell
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THE COURSE WRSP 835-B01
Theology, Philosophy and Methodology of Worship
By
Johnathon Stovall
January 22, 2021
1
Worship is a lifestyle and saved my life. Worship is not just what you do Sunday’s but it how
you live your daily life, treat others and our obedience to God. The Bible states, “God is Spirit,
and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
1
Worship is our weapon and tool
against the enemy. We are living to live again. During this life as believers, we are face with
many trials and tribulation (Spiritual Warfare). Worship is the gateway through our problems and
to God. I have gathered this deposition for worship during this pandemic. I have been attacked in
every aspect of my life, worship and praise is what kept me and got me through. The Bible
states, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6)
2
Quotes from Goldsworthy book you can use in the paper.
Jesus was fully God and fully man, yet he was one person, the God-man. In Jesus Christ God has
communicated with us through a Word which is both di- vine and human. This, as we shall see, has important
implications for the way that we do theology.5
But now sinful humanity is being restored from its God-denying con- dition. How can people who are still
sinful approach a holy God? The bib- lical answer is through a go-between, a mediator. Moses is the mediator
1
2
2
of God’s saving acts in the exodus, and also of the word of God that interprets the redeemed existence brought
about by the saving acts of God in the ex- odus.144
. Everything about this structure speaks of three great truths: God wills to dwell among his people and to meet
with them; sin separates peo- ple from God; and God provides a way of reconciliation through sacrifice and the
mediatorial office of the priest. 144
The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals God to us. This gospel has meaning only if the God who devised it is the
ruling Lord and Creator of the uni- verse. Through the gospel we learn the purpose of creation and the meaning
of the universe. The accounts of creation in Genesis 1 and 2 tell us about the beginning of all things, and they
also tell us about relation- ships between things. How things were meant to relate is closely tied to their
purpose. These relationships, which were later confused by sin, are at the heart of the gospel by which God is
restoring all things to their proper relationships.9
Scripture you can use in the paper as well.
3
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are
they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may
enter in through the gates into the city.” ( Revelation 22:13-14)
‘
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Bibliography
1
God’s Plan for Worship
Submitted to Professor Connell
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THE COURSE WRSP 835-B01
Theology, Philosophy and Methodology of Worship
By
Johnathon Stovall
January 22, 2021
2
Section 1
Scripture Cannot Be Broken
Evangelicals prioritize scripture for worship because it is never broken hence provides a
foundation for devoting wholly unto God. Worshipping God is given great importance by the
scripture. The true worshippers do “worship in truth and in Spirit” justifies scripture’s priority in
understanding true worship of God. However, people overlook the scriptures in this
prioritization. For instance, it is easy for evangelicals to imbibe emotionalism as being in the
Spirit. According to Matthews 12:24, it is easy to fall into error if one does not know by
experience what you worship. In worshipping God, scriptures are very fundamental in tailoring
man in giving genuine worship unto God.
1
The overlooking that many evangelicals included
have demonstrated includes the fleshly manifestations of being under the Spirit. The
prioritization of scripture in worshipping God in truth and Spirit is when one surrender and the
Spirit takes over their bodily expressions.
Word Incarnate & Word inscripturate
Scriptures are inspired words written down through the inspiration of the Spirit. There is
the perfection of worship of God through the scripture since the worshippers will do it
knowingly. The scriptures manifest the thin veil between the Word incarnate and the Word
inscripturate. He is Word incarnate that has a complete human form according to John 1:14. “In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
2
However,
the Word taking a human body yet still carrying divinity is mistaken in worshipping. Jesus, the
1
Graeme, Goldsworthy. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
2
Graeme, Goldsworthy. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
3
Word of God, has both the personhood and the works, which are inseparable. Evangelicals often
overlook the personhood of Jesus Christ by confusing the parallels between Word incarnate and
inscripturate. The Bible, which often Evangelicals like other Christians esteem as God’s Word,
suffices not to worship God. The divine qualities of the Bible are the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit on the writings as a record of the living Word (Jesus Christ).
Perfecting Imagination
The scriptures are useful in worshipping God because they give us a perfect imagination
of who God. The scriptures as said Jesus Christ while alive, pinpoint all to Him. On the road to
Emmaus, Jesus Christ appeared to them and emphasized that the scriptures from Genesis to the
prophet’s pinpoint to Him. When using scriptures in worshiping God, they tend to perfect God’s
image in the worshipper’s minds.
3
God exemplified various characteristics by the scriptures
makes the believer surrender totally of volition unto God. For instance, the scriptures state that
Christians should “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.”
However, the imagination that this scripture gives suffers overlooking. Christians tend to
kneel as justifying “…at His footstool...” which is instead the heart’s position. The scripture is
often misapplied with Joel 2:13 “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your
God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents
from sending calamity.”
4
The worshippers tend to overlook his compassion and portray physical
perspective rather than their heart and character’s spiritual inclination.
Opening of Heart
3
Graeme, Goldsworthy. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
4
Graeme, Goldsworthy, 112
4
Scriptures retell the mighty deeds of God, therefore, aiding in worshipping. Since
worshipping does not entail only retelling, the meditation of what an individual gives to the
people makes the heart of the believer open unto God. Being reminded of what God did in the
scriptures experienced in the worshipper’s lives is essential in worship. “Praise the Lord, my
soul, and forget not all his benefits” justifies that scriptures serve to retell us to keep
remembering and considering the faithfulness of God towards us. However, many believers
ignorant of these scriptures despite the justification of his unfailing love and unending goodness.
5
These scriptures about God’s unending love and goodness have application in worshiping God
without an alternative plan. Because the worshipper would have had banked unfailing love and
goodness of God, the excellent demonstration would be giving selves entirely.
Spiritual Experience and Endeavor
Scriptures motivate the worshipping of God as they lay down a foundation for spiritual
experience and endeavor. The works of wisdom and the books of Psalms justify that the biblical
histories such as the prophetic Word of God, the covenants, and redemption of God are
encounters with the Almighty God. The objective of salvation for humanity provides a
foundation for the true worship of God as savior. Through these scriptures, the Holy Ghost
regenerates the human soul through fellowshipping. “In the past, God spoke to our ancestors
through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to
us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the
universe.”
6
The priority of encountering God through worship deserves demonstration through
genuine exaltation and not seeking a problem. When the solution, it would be a result of genuine
5
Graeme, Goldsworthy, 138
6
Bible, King James. King james bible. Proquest LLC, 1996.
5
worshipping of God. The overlook is common where the scriptures have application in worship
for gaining spiritual experiences. They are often dictums of provoking God to rise to action.
Section 2
Biblical Self-Endorsement
Biblical theology gives credit and essence to the infallibility and authority of the Bible to
speak on its behalf. Rather than speaking on the scriptures’ behalf, the approach provides the
Bible room to defend itself. Many writers fail to allow the Bible to speak of itself. Systematic
theology does examine a topic throughout the Bible, making it often imbibes the writer’s biases.
Although quite similar to historical theology, biblical theology does emphasize the infallibility of
the scripture. According to Deuteronomy 19:15 and Luke 24:13-35, scriptures should validate
one another, and they ought to have a flow from the beginning.
7
The nature of the Biblical
theology approach is to give credence to the Bible’s chronology since it carries the essence of
unfolding truth on its own. The approach serves the purposes of the systematic and the historical
approaches.
Holistic in Approach
The Biblical theology approach is holistic, thus gives the overall message of the Bible.
Many writers and approaches treat either Testaments as single covenants rather than a single
document with two different dimensionalities. On the sixth page, Goldsworthy claims, “there is
hardly any work which deals with the theology of the Bible as a whole.”
8
The uniqueness of the
approach is in the holistic nature of the approach. Unlike the systematic approach, the Biblical
7
Bible, King James. King james bible. Proquest LLC, 1996.
8
Graeme, Goldsworthy. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
6
theology does not approach the holistic perspective thematically but rather in the text’s
chronology. Even Christian evangelicals have not written the Bible in a holistic manner that is
self-commend. The evangelical writers’ holistic approaches justify a seeming addition, bias, or
re-arrangement of the content. The approach assures a bible student of an integrated theology
that is self-authoritative.
Layman’s Language
The approach of Biblical theology considers individuals who know layman English. The
approach avoids ambiguity and unnecessary technical words, thus meeting the intellectual needs
of the majority. Since the purpose is to get the Bible’s knowledge to the majority, the approach
emphasizes grasping the Bible’s unity. The overall message of the Bible from Genesis to
Revelation chronologically is essential to gain the right understanding of an individual text. In
applying the approach, Goldsworthy wrote three books; Gospel and Kingdom, The Gospel and
Wisdom, and The Gospel in Revelation.
9
The language’s simplicity is effortless for most Bible
students to interact with and understand the Old and New Testament’s inter-relationships. It is no
wonder that the approach carries a uniqueness from other approaches in theology.
Progressive Revelation
The approach emphasizes the progression of revelation from God. Since it is
insurmountable to gather every detail of information, the approach pursuing the advancement of
revelation carries along with God’s saving plan as foretold in the book of Genesis. God reveals
in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your
offspring[a] and hers; he will crush[b] your head, and you will strike his heel.”
10
The revelation
9
Graeme, Goldsworthy. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
10
Bible, King James. King james bible. Proquest LLC, 1996.
7
in the above scripture is justified by the approach when the saving work of Jesus Christ, the
Offspring of Abraham from Judah’s tribe by crushing the great dragon, Satan. Besides, there are
revelations such as the sacrifice of Isaac and Joseph and Jesus Christ. According to the
systematic and historical theologies, these are thematic but have a progressive revelation
perspective under the biblical approach.
Valuing Unique Contributions
Biblical theology attaches value to the unique contributions inspired authors made. The
authors of the scriptures were different in personality, theological emphasis, and themes. The
themes of the books are different, and the authors, too, did include unique contributions. The
value they attach extends the methodology of learning each of the books and from each of the
books. It can sound wise to harmonize the Gospels, yet it is wise to acknowledge that God never
bestowed Christians a single gospel account.
11
The Gospel of Matthew and Luke, the doctor,
varies in that Luke attaches a medical practitioner’s unique value. Therefore, unlike his
contemporaries, Luke attaches the value of pragmatism and the inclusion of certain research
methodology skills into studying the scriptures.
Section 3
Gives Glory to God
The theology of worship must be biblical because the Bible, beginning from Genesis to
Revelation, is the guide for Christian worship. Applying biblical theology to a theology of
worship is essential to have a holistic perspective on the subject. The conflicting arguments that
have existed for decades on true worship and application of specific texts have answers in
11
Ariarajah, S. W. (2020). Interfaith Relations within the Emerging Field of World Christianity.
In World Christianity (pp. 135-157). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004444867_008.
8
biblical theology’s concise application. Since biblical theology centers on God’s saving work
and revelations, its application in developing a theology of worship will give God glory, which is
an injunction of worship.
12
The theology’s scope will be inclusive of the beginning to the end of
the Bible, thus rich in an application. Worshipping God is an act of the human heart and soul and
does not essentially engage much of the flesh; therefore, the worshipper’s summative perception
and perspective determine their way of worship.
Gospel-Centered Worship
Developing a theology of worship from the Biblical theology approach makes the
theology gospel-centered. However, holistic and progressive of revelation, biblical theology
centers on God’s saving plan. Since the salvation plan through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on
the cross is the epitome of biblical theology, it is advantageous when the approach finds
application in developing a theology of worship. The theology of worship will undoubtedly be
gospel-centered and conclusive of the work of God to save humanity. When worshipping God,
we involve singing, sharing the scripture, praying, and even meditation.
13
It is such an advantage
to sing Gospel-centered worship songs, share scriptures with the gospel at the center and pray the
scriptures with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Acquisition of these traits is through the application of
the biblical theology approach into the theology of worship.
Edification
Worship serves to enlighten the life of the worshipper as the Lord becomes pleased with
him or her. The enlightenment is both individually and corporately. Individual improvement of a
12
Van der Merwe, D. G. (2020). The use of the Bible in theology: Theology as a ‘lived
experience’ of God. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological
Studies, 76(4). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v76i4.6200.
13
Graeme, Goldsworthy. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
9
whole group would necessitate shared intelligibility. Application of the field of biblical theology
to the theology of worship fosters understanding in all individuals. The biblical theology uses a
simplified language such that all individuals can have a clear grasp of the Bible.
14
Art
performances that help improve the church members would be maximal since the scriptures’
right holistic understanding would be straightforward and performed to God’s glory.
Emphasis on Grace
Incorporation of the biblical theology will aid in the spirit-filled exposition of the Word
of God. The necessary work input of verse by verse from the Bible is possible by applying the
approach. Since every sermon deserves scriptural manifest and proclamation of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, the biblical approach is best suited since it encompasses both the systematic and
historical in the progressive revelations and ultimate goal of salving humanity. The work of
Grace is the driving agent that finishes God’s work of saving humanity. “For it is by grace you
have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by
works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9) justifies the saving work.
15
If, therefore,
Grace, worshipping with such a mindset enables the worshipper to draw Grace upon Grace from
God.
Undistracting Excellence
14
Van der Merwe, D. G. (2020). The use of the Bible in theology: Theology as a ‘lived
experience’ of God. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological
Studies, 76(4). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v76i4.6200.
15
Fields, C. R. (2020). Ecclesia as Gathering Only? Evaluating the Use of Scripture in Proposals
of the” Knox-Robinson Ecclesiology”. Anglican Theological Review, 102(1), 49-69.
10
The application of biblical theology to the theology of worship will result in undistracted
excellence in worshipping God. Because biblical theology does not focus much on instruments
but rather the Word of God, the distractions of falling out of tune, sound screeches, and fumbling
by the preacher does not distract the people’s focus.
16
The focus becomes restrained within the
glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and his all-surpassing glory. The excellence of the approach also
becomes adopted by the individuals
16
Fields, C. R. (2020). Ecclesia as Gathering Only? Evaluating the Use of Scripture in Proposals
of the” Knox-Robinson Ecclesiology”. Anglican Theological Review, 102(1), 49-69.
11
Bibliography
Ariarajah, S. W. (2020). Interfaith Relations within the Emerging Field of World Christianity.
In World Christianity (pp. 135-157). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004444867_008.
Fields, C. R. (2020). Ecclesia as Gathering Only? Evaluating the Use of Scripture in Proposals of
the” Knox-Robinson Ecclesiology”. Anglican Theological Review, 102(1), 49-69.
Goldsworthy, Graeme. According to plan: The unfolding revelation of God in the Bible.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
Van der Merwe, D. G. (2020). The use of the Bible in theology: Theology as a ‘lived experience’
of God. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological
Studies, 76(4). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v76i4.6200.
Biblical Theology
I. Section 1
a) Scripture Cannot Be Broken
b) Word Incarnate & Word Inscripturate
c) Perfecting Imagination
d) Opening Heart
e) Spiritual Experience & Endeavor
f)
II. Section 2
a) Biblical Self-Endorsement
b) Holistic in Application
c) Layman’s Language
d) Progressive Revelation
e) Valuing Unique Contributions
f)
III. Section 3
a) Gives Glory to God
b) Gospel-Centered Worship
c) Edification
d) Emphasis on Grace
e) Undistracting Excellence
