Fewer topics in the church today arouse more interest and debate than the issue of worship, but settling the "worship wars" will demand more than simply catering to opinions and satisfying personal preferences. Authentic worship must begin with a truly biblical understanding of its purpose and object, as well as an informed perspective of how the Bible, baptism, the Lord's Supper, and music contribute to genuine God-centered worship.

In this important work, recognized experts offer worship leaders and those preparing for ministry a valuable resource for sorting through layers of tradition and unchanging biblical tenets. The authors--including a historical theologian, a systematic theologian, and a specialist in cross-cultural studies--examine three key components to authentic worship:

What is the role of music in the twenty-first century church--and what should it be? Johansson examines this and other crucial questions concerning church music and offers "redirection" for the function of music ministry in the life of the modern church.

What does worship look like? Is there just one truly right way to worship? Are there any wrong ways? To what extent should our unity as believers manifest itself in unified public worship? Sadly, disagreement over how we should worship our loving God has sparked some most unloving attitudes among Christians. Exploring the Worship Spectrum seeks to correct this. It provides a forum for presentation, critique, and defense of six prominent worship styles: -Formal-Liturgical - Paul Zahl -Traditional Hymn-Based - Harold Best -Contemporary Music-Driven - Joe Horness -Charismatic - Don Williams -Blended - Robert Webber -Emerging - Sally Morgenthaler This unique format allows those with a heart for worship to compare different perspectives and draw their own conclusions on what the Bible teaches. It engages the reader's faculties of critical thinking in a way that allows him or her to understand the various approaches to worship, carefully evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and make personal choices without adopting a judgmental spirit. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address three categories: Church Life, Exploring Theology, and Engaging Culture. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.