By Paul Koch – The other day, The Jagged Word received an email from our most persistent and longsuffering commenter, the one and only John J. Flanagan. He doesn’t always agree with what we write here. Hell, we don’t all agree with each other, but he has always been willing to be part of the … Continue reading Contemporary Worship i.e. Flanagan’s Conundrum
By Paul Koch - I was fortunate to be able to go to church last Sunday. It was one of the few times of the year when I’m on vacation, so I actually get to sit with my family in church on a Sunday morning. Now, going to church with me isn’t exactly an easy … Continue reading Do you Go to a Boring Church?
By Cindy Koch - What if liturgy isn’t enough? I know that’s the argument that well-meaning, smart theologians will give you. You know how it goes: If the preaching is bad or if the particular pastor’s teaching is less Christ-centered than you’ve understood the Bible to teach, if you at least have the liturgy, you’re … Continue reading Is Liturgy Enough?
By Joel A. Hess - Christians routinely use the word “mystery” when explaining the faith. Often times when a believer is stuck in explaining a teaching, she is quick to conclude, “Well, it’s a mystery.” The Orthodox really love this word. It often times seems impossible to even discuss with them their understanding of things … Continue reading Christian Worship is no Mystery
By Graham Glover - It truly is a profound joy. Actually, it’s perfection. A foretaste of the feast to come. It is the Church’s worship. A gift given by our Lord to His Church, where He freely offers the gifts of grace and forgiveness contained in His Word and Sacraments. And everything about it is … Continue reading The Profound Joy of Worship
By Hillary Asbury - Whether or not we realize it, the visual arts are being used by churches every day. If you were to walk into a Christian church of any sort, there would more than likely be a cross hanging somewhere, if not at the focal point of the worship space. That cross is … Continue reading Reclaiming Liturgical Art
By Joel A. Hess - Looking for Luther to back you up on how worship should be done? Have fun, something for everyone! To sum his thoughts up, I would say he was against keeping things the same for the sake of keeping things the same. Yet equally concerned about people who wanted to change abruptly just because … Continue reading Luther, Friend and Enemy of Us All
