Worship That Disturbs

Paul Clark has an excellent post on "Worship That Disturbs," reminding us of the tension involved in Christian theology and thus Christian worship. Here is an excerpt:

Tensions are a part of worship. Transcendence and Immanence of God are not at odds, yet do create a certain tension for us as we worship Him. Many worship songs focus only on one side of this tension, which may not be a problem in itself unless we begin to string together only songs that present one side of the tension over an extended period of time, thus distorting the view of God. Presenting the tension may be somewhat disturbing for a culture that wants to be able to either have everything explained rationally, or who want to feel the experiential warm fuzzy of resolution. The full Gospel necessitates our presenting the whole truth that God is wholly other-holy Other – and at once “closer than a brother” in Christ Jesus. It is important to express these truths along with their appropriate tensions in our worship singing as well as having them proclaimed through the preached Word, where they are revealed from God Himself.

Presenting the resolution of the cross without the horror of its cost is to misrepresent the glory, and in fact, presents no resolution or glory at all. The cross is disturbing. The “blood songs” are disturbing. There is tension inherent in a “suffering Savior,” yet this tension is at the heart of our worship, and it is in presenting the fullness of the cross’s glory that we can proclaim salvation. There is tension in a wrathful, jealous, holy God who is at once the One whose love endures forever; the One who forgives, and forgives and frees us to truly live. These tensions are disturbing, yet powerful and at the center of worship.

I encourage you to read the whole thing here.