Worship in the Best of Both Worlds: Explorations in Ancient-Future Worship Philip Greenslade
There are various tensions in Christian worship and, rather than opting for a balanced approach or a one-sided approach, Philip Greenslade recommends that Christians learn to embrace both extremes of each polarity. Worship is both about pleasing God and our own enjoyment. Worship is world-affirming (with a positive view of creation) and world-denying (confronting fallen political powers). Worship is charismatic and liturgical. Worship is an engagement with transcendent majesty and transforming intimacy. Worship is both prophetic praise and realistic lament. Worship remembers the past and anticipates the future. Worship embraces spontaneous instinctive cries and a learned language. It is by worshipping at the extremes that we can experience deeper riches in our knowledge of God.