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In a large number of audio lectures and sermons, new books, republished books, newsletters, videos, tracts, web sites, etc., those of us who uphold the Reformation doctrine of the regulative principle have specifically set forth our positive position concerning public worship. Now our critics (such as Doug Wilson and Steve Schlissel) should provide something specific about their positive position on the public worship of God and the second commandment.

Opponents of the regulative principle must study the pertinent information and then present the best case for their view of what is allowed and forbidden by the second commandment. Let us see their positive position so that we can critique it. They have been critiquing our position, so now it’s our turn to critique theirs. Then others can decide for themselves who represents the Biblical position in this debate.

If the modern detractors of Reformation worship actually get around to presenting their position, the historical and theological sources of their views will be clear to all. It will be easy to see which side is following in the historical and theological footsteps of the Westminster Divines, the Reformation Dutch Synods, John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, George Gillespie, and John Owen.

At that point there won’t be any doubt about who the real classical Protestants are and who are innovators in worship.

There are also a couple of important questions to consider: Did the Calvinistic Reformers all err when studying to determine the doctrine of worship from the Scripture? Were the Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans the ones who developed the truly Biblical position?

Once the opponents of the regulative principle state their positive position people will be able to ask: Does their view demonstrate that they follow in the footsteps of the original Reformers? Or, to the contrary, does it show that they are following those who rejected the Reformation position? Is their view in line with the historic Calvinist view of worship or quite different from it?

The regulative principle of worship is a two way street. Agree with it (and continue to apply it faithfully to each specific act of worship, as your understanding increases) and you are on the road to Westminster and the Covenanted Reformation; disagree with it and (at the most basic level) you are on the road to Rome.

A choice must be made by every Christian: to worship God according to His commandments in the Bible, or to worship Him in accordance with man-made principles. (This article has been adapted from “Saul in the Cave of Adullam by Reg Barrow.)

For additional information about Scriptural worship (following the Regulative Principle of Worship), church history and the Reformation, please visit PuritanDownloads.com. There are many Reformation theology resources at that site.