March - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

90The Free Presbyterian MagazineThe discussion is conducted against the backdrop of “the current debateon worship in the Free Church of Scotland, which focuses on whether allcongregations within the denomination must observe strict uniformity ofworship (in this case, inspired materials of praise without instrumentalaccompaniment)”. It is claimed that “although this work is framed within thedebate of a particular denomination, the issues raised are of the utmostrelevance to all who with the Apostles’ Creed believe in the catholicity ofChrist’s Church and the triune reality of God”.As background information it should be noted that, as in the FreePresbyterian Church of Scotland, all who take office in the Free Church ofScotland are required to respond positively to the question: “Do you sincerelyown the purity of worship presently authorised and practised in this Church,and also own the Presbyterian government and discipline; and are you persuadedthat the said doctrine, worship, and discipline, and Church government,are founded upon the Holy Scriptures, and agreeable thereto?” They sign aformula committing themselves to this position and undertaking “that I shall,in my practice, conform myself to the said worship . . . not endeavour, directlyor indirectly, the prejudice or subversion of the same . . . follow no divisivecourse . . . renouncing all doctrines, tenets and opinions whatsoever, contraryto, or inconsistent with, the said . . . worship . . . ”.In addition, an Act of Assembly requires that it be explained publicly toordinands that, in accordance with “the legislation of the Church as to uniformityin public worship going back to the year 1707,” by “Purity of Worshipas presently practised in this Church” is meant the avoidance of “the use inpublic worship of uninspired materials of praise as also of instrumental music.Such present practice determines the purity of worship to the maintenanceof which the Ordinand pledges himself.” Some appear to consider that if thisAct were rescinded, the question and formula could remain and be interpretedin a way permitting the use of hymns and instrumental music.The article gets off to a false start by affirming that “central to this discussionis whether a Christian Church should prize uniformity as its highestideal”. It strays further in posing the question: “Is a uniform Church the ultimateexpression or antithesis of Christian unity?” No one maintaining thatuniformity in worship is required by divine revelation will contend that externaluniformity is the Church’s “highest ideal” or “the ultimate expression ofChristian unity”. Neither will it be contended that mere uniformity, even inaccordance with Divine prescription, in itself either glorifies God or promotesunity. What they will contend is that uniformity in worship is an essentialcomponent of full Christian unity and an important step towards the achievementof the Church’s highest ideal – to represent and glorify God on the