It has long been an argument within the Christian culture, amongst multiple denominations about what is considered appropriate worship during a service. The argument probably has survived between those that would consider themselves to be charismatic in their worship and those that would be considered more reserved in their public display of their affection for the Lord. Since this discussion continues to resolve as a stalemate between Christian scholars and theologians, it is not my intention to celebrate one approach to worship over another, but to simply submit why I shout.
I've discovered in my own personal walk with the Lord that salvation can be an enjoyable adventure. There are just something's that theology, religion, and even historical evidence will never be able to explain in an effort to uphold the deity and existence of God. Though our humanity needs these resources to teach and protect the legacy of our faith, they cannot replace a physical or emotional relationship that is produced by God himself.
In the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to John, Jesus encounters a man that was born blind. As Jesus prepared to heal the man, his (religious) disciples asked whether or not it was his parents sins that made him blind (from birth) or was it his own. Jesus's disciples were so trapped by their religious ideas that in asking their question, they had already dismissed the possibility that it was the blind man's own sin's that made him blind, since the Bible states that he was born that way. Jesus went on and healed the man, and the conflict over his healing amongst the Pharisees began. After pulling the man into their quarters, the Pharisees began to question him as to how he was healed. The healed man was unable to give a satisfactory and credible answer to their questions at that particular moment, so they pulled in his parents, who only deferred the Pharisees back to asking their son about how he was healed. At the climax of the story, the man is insulted and thrown out of their quarters because he believed that something amazing happened to him that was not generated by himself, and all he wanted to do was worship the man that gave him his miracle. Well…he get's the chance to meet his healer…Jesus…after he was thrown out of the Pharisee's quarters. Verse 38 of the Gospel of John wraps it all up nicely for the reader: the healed man declared that he believed in the Son of Man, and…he…worshipped Him! Amen!
The story reveals the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees (and the disciples) and I believe it also reveals the chief reason why the argument over the diversity between Christian worship cultures continues. Both charismatics and reserved worship cultures are trying to defend their preference of a worship community by claiming that one is more appropriate or accepted by God than the other. One side will claim that it is more descent and in order, while the other side will claim that exuberant praise is what moves God. One side might say that a reserved individual has more self-control, while the other side will say that a reserved quiet atmosphere is a lukewarm one, and is just about to be spit out of the mouth of God. It doesn't take much to see where both sides articulate their spiritual blindness. I've served in both worship communities (charismatic and reserved). I always find it amazing to see a guy in a reserved church community sitting quietly with his family on a Sunday morning, but then to see him out on the football field as a coach screaming his head off with passion and great enthusiasm. They hardly lift their hands to clap at the end of a song, but at a Friday night game, they can't help but stand up and shout.
I enjoy both cultures and I have learned a lot from the diversity of individuals that walk in God's righteousness…and not their own. I shout for really one reason: it's fun! I mean…God is amazing. When Sunday Night Football comes on, I am screaming and shouting at the television for my team of choice to win. We've all had this question posed to us before: Why shout more at a football game for our team to score a touchdown, than we do to celebrate what Jesus has done for us? Truth is, had I been on the streets as Jesus was walking with His cross to Golgotha, and if I would have had understanding of just exactly what His death was going to bring me, I would have been shouting and dancing just like I do every time I get into the house of God. The cross is the football and it's in Jesus's hands. The end zone is Golgotha, and when he crosses over the goal line, it's going to truly be the Red Zone because He's going to pour out all of His blood for my sins and shortcomings. I am free because He scored the touchdown in the final minutes of the game. Not only that, but he then gets the two point conversion on the third day by rising from the dead with ALL power in His hands. Amen!!! So whether you're reserved or charismatic, let's settle on one thing between the diversity of our worship cultures: Jesus loves you!
Ryan Council
President & Founder of Breathe 150 Entertainment
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