Covenant Renewal Worship
- Thread starter Romans922
- Start date
- Status
RamistThomist
Puritanboard Clerk
The covenant renewal services I have been in have sermons that easily reach 45 minutes, and even then the pastor really wants to go longer. That could be neglecting the word, but I know a few "established" conservative presbyterian churches that dare not exceed 30 minute sermons.
Coram Deo
Puritan Board Junior
ok, I told everyone that I would be lurking around and here is one of my lurking post... I just could not resist a reply.. 
I see nothing wrong with covenant renewal worship. It does not deny the regulative principle, but in fact strengths the regulative worship. Who ever said that it comes close to federal vision is wrong.
First off.. In covenant renewal worship, the word is not neglected or belittled, but the Lord's Supper is elevated since it does spiritually fed us and is a visual view of the gospel. After all It is the Word AND Sacrament. Sermons tend to be anywhere from 45 mins to over an hour in covenant renewal worship...
Secondly, covenant renewal worship is the biblically defined set liturgy of worship in the covenant of grace, as defined by scripture. It tells us that not only are the elements of worship important but also the order of worship is important. And that the New Covenant Worship is continued from the Old Covenant in many ways. Jesus' death abolished all animal sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4) but it did not abolish all sacrifice. We are to offer ourselves as "Living Sacrifices" to God (Romans 12:1). The sacrifices of the Old Testament not only point forward to the atoning work of Christ on the cross, they also point forward to our worship as living sacrifices.
Leviticus chapter 9 gives us details of the order of sacrifice in worship services. They consist of the following...
Call to Worship -
This expresses the truth that none of us can approach God unless he initiates the covenant with us.
Sin Offering -
This is where we hear the laws of God and lament our sins and confess our sins corporately, and of our need for forgiveness.
Burnt Offering -
Or the Consecration, ascension offering. This represents the ascension of believers into the presence of God. In this way we show we belong wholly to the Lord. We will hear the Word of God read, we offer ourselves in prayer and praise to God, and we hear the sermon as the Lord speaks through the Pastor.
Peace Offering -
Communion. Part of the animal was burned, part of it was waved before the Lord and then given to the worshipper to eat. The portion that was burned was called the Lord's good. This offering was unique in that it was the only one of the offerings in which the worshipper was permitted to eat a portion of it. In the peace offering the worshipper ate with God as an expression of deep love, trust and fellowship. Around the table of the Lord there is peace and assurance of his love for us. So it is that the covenant memorial of the Lord's Supper is offered to us by Christ, our peace offering, and he communes with us through it. As part of the regular Lord's Day worship, God gives us the privilege of sharing a covenant meal with him.
Commission -
Aaron and Moses concluded the service by blessing the people with God's benediction. As we leave the assembly of the saints, we need to know that we are not leaving God behind.
This is the liturgy the bible gives us to worship God and the order that it should follow. It will only consist of the elements of worship that God has prescribed along with a covenantal dialogue between God and Man within the worship service.
This is covenant renewal worship in a nutshell. Let us not undermind the WORD and SACRAMENT of worship and let us bring the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper back to its rightful place along side the Word in worship.
Michael
I see nothing wrong with covenant renewal worship. It does not deny the regulative principle, but in fact strengths the regulative worship. Who ever said that it comes close to federal vision is wrong.
First off.. In covenant renewal worship, the word is not neglected or belittled, but the Lord's Supper is elevated since it does spiritually fed us and is a visual view of the gospel. After all It is the Word AND Sacrament. Sermons tend to be anywhere from 45 mins to over an hour in covenant renewal worship...
Secondly, covenant renewal worship is the biblically defined set liturgy of worship in the covenant of grace, as defined by scripture. It tells us that not only are the elements of worship important but also the order of worship is important. And that the New Covenant Worship is continued from the Old Covenant in many ways. Jesus' death abolished all animal sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4) but it did not abolish all sacrifice. We are to offer ourselves as "Living Sacrifices" to God (Romans 12:1). The sacrifices of the Old Testament not only point forward to the atoning work of Christ on the cross, they also point forward to our worship as living sacrifices.
Leviticus chapter 9 gives us details of the order of sacrifice in worship services. They consist of the following...
Call to Worship -
This expresses the truth that none of us can approach God unless he initiates the covenant with us.
Sin Offering -
This is where we hear the laws of God and lament our sins and confess our sins corporately, and of our need for forgiveness.
Burnt Offering -
Or the Consecration, ascension offering. This represents the ascension of believers into the presence of God. In this way we show we belong wholly to the Lord. We will hear the Word of God read, we offer ourselves in prayer and praise to God, and we hear the sermon as the Lord speaks through the Pastor.
Peace Offering -
Communion. Part of the animal was burned, part of it was waved before the Lord and then given to the worshipper to eat. The portion that was burned was called the Lord's good. This offering was unique in that it was the only one of the offerings in which the worshipper was permitted to eat a portion of it. In the peace offering the worshipper ate with God as an expression of deep love, trust and fellowship. Around the table of the Lord there is peace and assurance of his love for us. So it is that the covenant memorial of the Lord's Supper is offered to us by Christ, our peace offering, and he communes with us through it. As part of the regular Lord's Day worship, God gives us the privilege of sharing a covenant meal with him.
Commission -
Aaron and Moses concluded the service by blessing the people with God's benediction. As we leave the assembly of the saints, we need to know that we are not leaving God behind.
This is the liturgy the bible gives us to worship God and the order that it should follow. It will only consist of the elements of worship that God has prescribed along with a covenantal dialogue between God and Man within the worship service.
This is covenant renewal worship in a nutshell. Let us not undermind the WORD and SACRAMENT of worship and let us bring the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper back to its rightful place along side the Word in worship.
Michael
Last edited:
bookslover
Puritan Board Doctor
Yes, definition, please! What is "covenant renewal worship"? Can't intelligently vote in a poll about a subject I know nothing about.
Theoretical
Puritan Board Professor
Davidius
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
bradofshaw
Puritan Board Freshman
I don't have any problem with weekly communion, but I'm getting the idea there's more to it than that from your post.
Last edited:
Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
Michael,
You haven't really proved your definition. You can't really just flat out say, "Covenant renewal worship is biblical worship". You especially can't say this when you know many people disagree (especially on the Puritanboard). So why is this the biblical form of worship?
And one thing to remember is: we don't have sin, burnt, or peace offerings anymore. At least I don't think we do.
You haven't really proved your definition. You can't really just flat out say, "Covenant renewal worship is biblical worship". You especially can't say this when you know many people disagree (especially on the Puritanboard). So why is this the biblical form of worship?
And one thing to remember is: we don't have sin, burnt, or peace offerings anymore. At least I don't think we do.
Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
Would you say that in all the instance of Covenant renewing in the Bible that God renewed the Covenant or His people renewed it?
And did (whoever renewed) do it weekly or every Sabbath/Lord's Day or whenever there was unfaithfulness to the Covenant?
In our case, can there be unfaithfulness to the Covenant of Grace when satisfies said covenant in Christ?
Coram Deo
Puritan Board Junior
I thought I did...
Here is a quote from my Post:
Quote
Covenant renewal worship is the biblically defined set liturgy of worship in the covenant of grace, as defined by scripture. It tells us that not only are the elements of worship important but also the order of worship is important. And that the New Covenant Worship is continued from the Old Covenant in many ways. Jesus' death abolished all animal sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4) but it did not abolish all sacrifice. We are to offer ourselves as "Living Sacrifices" to God (Romans 12:1). The sacrifices of the Old Testament not only point forward to the atoning work of Christ on the cross, they also point forward to our worship as living sacrifices.
End Quote
Here is a quote from my Post:
Quote
Covenant renewal worship is the biblically defined set liturgy of worship in the covenant of grace, as defined by scripture. It tells us that not only are the elements of worship important but also the order of worship is important. And that the New Covenant Worship is continued from the Old Covenant in many ways. Jesus' death abolished all animal sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4) but it did not abolish all sacrifice. We are to offer ourselves as "Living Sacrifices" to God (Romans 12:1). The sacrifices of the Old Testament not only point forward to the atoning work of Christ on the cross, they also point forward to our worship as living sacrifices.
End Quote
Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
1) Jesus' death in Hebrews is saying that Christ's death we better than animal sacrficies (and abolishes the cermonial law). This kind of sacrifice is definitely not the same as Romans 12:1. Nor is Romans 12:1 referring to public worship where we are to sacrifice, but in all of life be holy and pleasing to God (this is only possible through Christ --> see Romans 1-11.
2) This doesn't prove Covenant Renewal Worship to be true and right and biblical.
bradofshaw
Puritan Board Freshman
Hey thunaer, is what you're describing as "covenant renewal worship" any different than the traditional reformed order of worship? Every OPC and PCA service I have been in has the same elements, except for weekly communion (which, I'm sure some churches in both denoms practice). I've never heard it referred to as covenant renewal though.
Andrew, you asked about it, is there a distinctly different service labeled "covenant renewal" that you are thinking of, or is that just a catch phrase used to describe the traditional reformed order of worship? I'm not sure I've heard the phrase before.
Andrew, you asked about it, is there a distinctly different service labeled "covenant renewal" that you are thinking of, or is that just a catch phrase used to describe the traditional reformed order of worship? I'm not sure I've heard the phrase before.
Coram Deo
Puritan Board Junior
Every writing I have on covenant renewal describes what I mentioned... I am unsure if there is another type of covenant renewal other then I described.. And yes it is the traditional reformed order of worship taken from the sacrificial system of order of lev. 9 including the weekly communion that Calvin sought after.
Michael
Michael
Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
Michael seems to follow Covenant Renewal services, he could probably explain better without me having a bias against it.
We do not do it at Redeemer.
Our service is geared around God and grace and gratefulness. God does something (grace), we respond in gratefulness and thanksgiving.
toddpedlar
Iron Dramatist
Michael -
The phrase "Covenant Renewal Worship", I think, is generally associated with Jeffrey Meyers's book "The Lord's Service". When you say "covenant renewal worship services" are thus-and-so long, are we safe to assume that you are speaking of Meyers-inflected worship? Can you be more plain about your sources for "covenant renewal" as a definition?
Thanks,
Todd
The phrase "Covenant Renewal Worship", I think, is generally associated with Jeffrey Meyers's book "The Lord's Service". When you say "covenant renewal worship services" are thus-and-so long, are we safe to assume that you are speaking of Meyers-inflected worship? Can you be more plain about your sources for "covenant renewal" as a definition?
Thanks,
Todd
Coram Deo
Puritan Board Junior
I should also note...
That with Covenant renewal worship, it is offering up our sacrifices to God. Our Sacrifices to God our are elements of worship and so every Sabbath our worship renews our covenant keeping with God. We offer up ourselves as living sacrifices through the elements of worship.
Our Sin Offering is our Confession of Sin we offer to God in Worship, and our laments.
Our Burnt Offering is our Sermon and the Word of God...
Our Peace Offering is the Lord's Supper
Since God calls us to worship, he initiates the worship by Calling us to Worship and we close with a benediction following Aaron and Moses example.
Michael
That with Covenant renewal worship, it is offering up our sacrifices to God. Our Sacrifices to God our are elements of worship and so every Sabbath our worship renews our covenant keeping with God. We offer up ourselves as living sacrifices through the elements of worship.
Our Sin Offering is our Confession of Sin we offer to God in Worship, and our laments.
Our Burnt Offering is our Sermon and the Word of God...
Our Peace Offering is the Lord's Supper
Since God calls us to worship, he initiates the worship by Calling us to Worship and we close with a benediction following Aaron and Moses example.
Michael
Coram Deo
Puritan Board Junior
I have never heard of Meyer's or his book....
I have a quite lengthy work by Eric Sanders titled "On Worship: Strength and Beauty in His Sanctuary"
He describes worship as Covenant Renewal Worship with a set liturgy from Lev. 9. He also explains why and how we worship. He also describes in the work everything I have already said....
Michael
I have a quite lengthy work by Eric Sanders titled "On Worship: Strength and Beauty in His Sanctuary"
He describes worship as Covenant Renewal Worship with a set liturgy from Lev. 9. He also explains why and how we worship. He also describes in the work everything I have already said....
Michael
Puritan Sailor
Puritan Board Doctor
RamistThomist
Puritanboard Clerk
I responded to, or headed off the charge, that weekly communion de-emphasies the word. All the covenant renewal services I have been to have 45 minute plus sermons.
Also, I agree with Michael Horton that we should have weekly communion.
Also, I agree with Michael Horton that we should have weekly communion.
Pilgrim
Puritanboard Commissioner
This being said, then I think you and Andrew were talking past each other. What he probably has in mind with the question in the OP is Covenant Renewal Worship as advocated by Jeff Meyers and others.
Also, if I'm not mistaken, Meyers views were influenced to a considerable extent by James B. Jordan.
Covenant renewal worship tries to introduce an element of the history of salvation into the order of salvation. On the basis of the same method Romanists teach the Mass as a sacrifice. And if anyone has studied covenant renewal in Scripture they will know that sacrifice is part and parcel of it. The Lord's supper is not a sacrifice, but a commemoration of a sacrifice. We do not renew covenant in worship but renew our commitment to the covenant of grace as ratified by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Augusta
Puritan Board Doctor
It is my understanding that it was God who initiated all of the covenants. When Israel said "this we shall do" they were agreeing to the covenant. Of course they didn't keep it and couldn't just as we don't keep it today except "in Christ." Christ kept it perfectly for us. I think this whole covenant renewal fad is, as Armorbearer said, a kind of throwback to the popish mass at worst, or a renaming of already existing sacraments at best.
bookslover
Puritan Board Doctor
Christ is the sacrifice and offering. The Lev. system was pointing to what Christ has now completed. Ergo, no additional sacrifice is needed by us. We do not need to add anything to the work of Christ. "It is finished".
I don't see any biblical call for "renewal" of the covenant. Either you're in the covenant, or you're not. If you're in, you're in. Our worship is not "renewal of the covenant" but obedience to God. We worship and hear the word, and celebrate the Lords Supper (a memorial), because that is what God has commanded of us. Now because we need to "re-commit" ourselves, or someone get God to re-commit himself to us.
Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
Now that I think of it and the though of 'recommitting' oneself, this sounds an awful lot like baptists or charismatics.
- Status
