The Regulative Principle of Worship
As taught in the Reformed / Presbyterian tradition
The principle that God is to be worshipped only as He has commanded in His Word.
The question of how a creature ought to approach the Creator is not merely a matter of personal preference, cultural relevance, or aesthetic appeal. In the Reformed tradition, this question is answered by a doctrine known as the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW). At its core, the Regulative Principle asks: "By what authority do we do what we do when we gather as the corporate body of Christ?" The answer provided by the historic Reformed faith is both simple and profound: God alone determines the manner in which He is to be worshipped. While the "Normative Principle" (common in Lutheran and Anglican traditions) suggests that whatever is not forbidden in Scripture is permissible in worship, the Regulative Principle asserts that only what is commanded (either by express precept or by good and necessary consequence) is permissible.
By the end of this lesson
- **Identify** the core definition of the Regulative Principle of Worship and its distinction from the Normative Principle.
- **Distinguish** between the "elements" of worship (what is commanded) and the "circumstances" of worship (matters of time, place, and order).
- **Explain** how the Second Commandment prohibits the use of human inventions in the corporate worship of God.
- **Articulate** the relationship between the sufficiency of Scripture (*Sola Scriptura*) and the Reformed liturgy.
- **Trace** the historical development of the Regulative Principle through the Westminster Confession of Faith and the writings of John Calvin.
- **Defend** the Regulative Principle against charges of legalism by demonstrating its role in protecting Christian liberty.
- **Apply** the principle to modern worship practices, evaluating various activities based on their biblical warrant.
- **Compare** the Reformed view of "Spirit and Truth" worship with contemporary views that prioritize emotional or aesthetic experiences.
Scripture
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