Candles and RPW

[VictorBravo]

Candles are certainly a stumbling block or a diversion to some. In my pagan youth I thought they were cool and spiritual, so I went often to a Catholic church. Lots of nice candles, and they didn't burden you with a Gospel either.

The point is, I think for mature and faithful Christians, fine--who cares about candles? But for the strays who straggle in, it makes an impression. The simplicity of a simple RPW type service makes an entirely different impression.

So, personally, if I couldn't have electricity, I'd go for either torches or Coleman lanterns.

 

[LadyFlynt]

Have to love the idea of torches...LOL!

Night, gents.

 

[SolaScriptura]

Torches... and black robes! That would make QUITE an impression!

 

[VictorBravo]

Torches... and black robes! That would make QUITE an impression!

I was thinking more along the lines of pitchforks and claymores.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

One reason that I don't wear a suit and tie to church. I don't on any other day, why would I do it on the Lord's day? I wouldn't be doing it for God since he didn't ask, and if I thought I was doing it for others on the Lord's Day then that would of course be a problem as well. I'm not saying I trying to force the RPW on suit wearing heathens, but I do admit being guilty of turning away and shaking my head from time to time. Ok, maybe I actually just don't like suits. But I still question this religious practice in light of the RPW.

Yes in Northern Ireland we have a lot of people who think that a man must wear a suit to church on a Sunday; no matter how many times you point to James 2 they still persist in enforcing this upon others. I have known people who will not go to churches simply because of the dress code.

My poor husband...he's part Irish, doesn't own a suit, and he would attend anyway regardless...LOL!

When I was referring to people who won't attend churches, I was referring to Christians who will not go to meetings in churches because suit-wearing is not enforced.

 

[LadyFlynt]

Yes in Northern Ireland we have a lot of people who think that a man must wear a suit to church on a Sunday; no matter how many times you point to James 2 they still persist in enforcing this upon others. I have known people who will not go to churches simply because of the dress code.

My poor husband...he's part Irish, doesn't own a suit, and he would attend anyway regardless...LOL!

When I was referring to people who won't attend churches, I was referring to Christians who will not go to meetings in churches because suit-wearing is not enforced.

Their pride, their loss. Discipline is needed for them (for forsaking the fellowship) not their fellows. You would think they were amishmen that showed up with that attitude.

 

[Mushroom]

So can anyone explain why my PCA Church is lighting Advent Candles prior to the call to worship and leaving them to burn throughout the service of worship? This causes me some measure of distress, but I'm unsure as to if and how I should address it to the Session. Does anyone know where this little bit of liturgy entered into Presbyterian worship?

 

[tcalbrecht]

So can anyone explain why my PCA Church is lighting Advent Candles prior to the call to worship and leaving them to burn throughout the service of worship? This causes me some measure of distress, but I'm unsure as to if and how I should address it to the Session. Does anyone know where this little bit of liturgy entered into Presbyterian worship?

The PCA is one link the evolutionary chain of American Presbyterianism. At one time Presbyterians walked upright. But over time, American Presbyterians started adopting the worship practices of Anglicans and Lutherans in the 19th century with the singing of uninspired hymns, celebration of Christian "holy days", etc. The official embrace came in the early part of the 20th century. Thus the Presbyterian Church lost its ability to walk upright. Today you can hardly find a local Presbyterian Church that does not decorate its auditorium with green and red, pass out advent calendars, light candles to set the right mood, and preach sermons about "the Baby Jesus".

With the twentieth century the Southern Presbyterian, or the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to use its official title, joined the ranks of Christmas-keeping denominations. The process followed the familiar lines of official disapproval and ignoring of the day, of an increasing number of local celebrations, many of which were of the holiday, Santa Claus, party type, and finally of official recognition and attempts to change the character of the local observance.

The Religious Observance of Christmas and ‘Holy Days’ in American Presbyterianism

If you suggest today that Christmas-keeping in the Church is un-Presbyterian and forbidden by the RPW, most Presbyterians of the PCA variety would look at you as if you were from another planet.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

With the twentieth century the Southern Presbyterian, or the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to use its official title, joined the ranks of Christmas-keeping denominations. The process followed the familiar lines of official disapproval and ignoring of the day, of an increasing number of local celebrations, many of which were of the holiday, Santa Claus, party type, and finally of official recognition and attempts to change the character of the local observance.

The Religious Observance of Christmas and ‘Holy Days’ in American Presbyterianism

If you suggest today that Christmas-keeping in the Church is un-Presbyterian and forbidden by the RPW, most Presbyterians of the PCA variety would look at you as if you were from another planet.

The fpcr link to the html version is not working; the site appeared to be back up after a month or so yesterday, but back down today; though other's may have better linkage given the nature of how changes ripple over the Internet. See a new version here, and the original newsletter version in PDF at The Blue Banner in PDF archive.

 

[SRoper]

So can anyone explain why my PCA Church is lighting Advent Candles prior to the call to worship and leaving them to burn throughout the service of worship? This causes me some measure of distress, but I'm unsure as to if and how I should address it to the Session. Does anyone know where this little bit of liturgy entered into Presbyterian worship?

I just want to clarify that I don't believe Advent candles are appropriate in worship. Our church uses them too, but at least this year they aren't lighting them during the service. Maybe next year they'll just stay in the box.

 

[etexas]

Was my response bad?

No the response was not at all bad my brother! There is an OLD Presbyterian, near me that uses candles in sconces, the church was built before electricity was available there and even though they now have electric lights they are sort of minimal, and the candles are used along somme of the walls due to the fact that much of the church of the church(despite its New-Fangled "lectricity"), is still dark! The candles are a functional thing!