Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship

by David G. Peterson, I. Howard Marshall

Overview

Worship is of immense concern in the church and ironically the source of controversy and dispute. Can we get behind the question of what style of worship we should engage in to understand the bedrock foundation for God's people—honoring him as he desires? Is the dissatisfaction with worship voiced by so many perhaps a result of our having wandered from biblical teaching on the subject?

Through careful exegesis in both Old and New Testaments, David Peterson unveils the total life-orientation of worship that is found in Scripture. Rather than determining for ourselves how we should worship, we, his people, are called to engage with God on the terms he proposes and in the way he alone makes possible.

This book calls for a radical rethinking of the meaning and practice of worship, especially by those responsible for leading congregations. Here is the starting place for recovering the richness of biblical worship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830826971
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	07/03/2002
Pages:	317
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

David Peterson was senior research fellow and lecturer in New Testament at Moore Theological College, Sydney, where he still teaches part time. He served as principal of Oak Hill College, London, from 1996 to 2007. His books include Engaging with God, Possessed by God (both IVP) and Hebrews and Perfection (Cambridge University Press).

I. Howard Marshall (1934-2015) was a world-renowned New Testament scholar and the author or editor of at least thirty-eight books and more than 120 essays and articles. He taught New Testament at the University of Aberdeen for thirty-five years and was a professor emeritus for sixteen years.

Among his numerous publications on the New Testament are his commentaries on the Gospel of Luke, Acts, 1-2 Thessalonians, the Pastoral Epistles and 1 Peter and 1-3 John. He is coauthor of Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Letters and Revelation and coeditor of the New International Greek Testament Commentary series, as well as the author of the series' volume on Luke. He has also authored New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel.

Marshall was an evangelical Methodist who was born and lived most of his life in Scotland. He received a PhD from the University of Aberdeen and a DD from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Table of Contents

Foreword by I. Howard Marshall
Abbreviations
Introduction1. Engaging with God in the Old Testament
Worship and revelation
Worship and redemption
Worship and the cult
Worship and the sacrificial system
Worship and the Jerusalem temple
Worship and the future of God's people
Conclusion2. Honouring, serving and respecting God
Worship as homage or grateful submission
Worship as service
Worship as reverence or respect
Conclusion3. Jesus and the new temple
Matthew's perspective
John's perspective
Conclusion4. Jesus and the new covenant
The worship of Jesus
Jesus and the Law of Moses
The gospels and Jesus' death
Conclusion5. Temple and community in the Acts of the Apostles
The earliest disciples and the temple
The inclusion of the Gentiles
Homage and service under the new covenant
The character and function of early Christian gatherings
Conclusion6. Paul and the service of the gospel
Worship as the consecrated lifestyle of the coverted
Acceptable worship and the sacrifice of Christ
Gospel ministry as a specific expression of Christian worship
Sacrifice, faith and the Spirit
Conclusion7. Serving God in the assembly of his people
Meeting God when the church gathers
The church as the temple of the Holy Spirit
Edification and the gathering of the church
The Lord's Supper at Corinth
Conclusion8. The book of Hebrews and the worship of Jesus
The definitive worship of Jesus
Worship as homage to God's Son
The participation of believers in the worship of Jesus
The congregational gathering in Hebrews
Maintaining the hope we profess
Conclusion9. Worship in the Revelation of John
The seductive power of false religion
The call to worship the true God
Worship in the heavenly realm
The link between heaven and earth
Conclusion10. Worship and the gospel—a summary
Epilogue
Index of Scripture references
Index of subjects
Index of modern authors

What People are Saying About This

I. Howard Marshall

"The author cuts back through the undergrowth of our inherited traditions to the clarity and straightforwardness of the biblical teaching. . . . Despite the scholarship behind it, all this is done with a beautiful simplicity and clarity that makes the book readily available to a wide circle of readers."

Editorial Reviews

"The author cuts back through the undergrowth of our inherited traditions to the clarity and straightforwardness of the biblical teaching. . . . Despite the scholarship behind it, all this is done with a beautiful simplicity and clarity that makes the book readily available to a wide circle of readers."

I. Howard Marshall

"Peterson has researched 160 books in preparation for this project, which speaks to his thoroughness. My guess is that he found every instance of worship in the Bible. Recommend this book to your pastor, worship leaders, and Bible teachers; but warn them that it is deep reading. Each chapter concludes with a summary in laymen's terminology, which helps make it more readable."

Cindy Grabill

Another first-rate example of Peterson's careful exegesis and gospel-centered hermeneutic.

Alex S. Leung