Worshiping with the Reformers Paperback – February 9, 2021

An impressive introduction that provides specific anecdotes and general summaries of various worship practices and the reasons behind them in the age of Reformation. Includes not only Lutheran and Reformed but also Catholic and Anabaptist practices. Surprising combination of thorough and brief. Hard to imagine a better introduction.

This title is a bit deceiving in that the "Reformers" it is talking about is centered on the Reformed Church and not so much on the "Reformers" on the Reformation time period. Still a good resource.

This book has brought me such a great light on worship at a time that is of much interest to Evangelicals. I think we don't know much about the daily life of Reformers and Reformed cities, and this book lets us see how was to live the church life in those interesting and convulsing times.

What was it really like to worship during the 16th century? In Worshiping with the Reformers, Karin Maag takes us on a tour of what it was really like to go to church during the Reformation.The 16th CenturyThe 16th century seems so far away from us, and Maag makes it known that while there are differences, there are also similarities in the ways we worship. She examines five main confessional families throughout this book: Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed, and Anabaptists. She makes use of vignettes to transport us back in time, and she expertly analyzes how and why worship was taking place.From the very first chapter, I saw just how different (and difficult) things were without modern comforts and technology. Moreover, I felt the tense religious and political happenings in society. These were heated times inside and outside of the church. But they were also times of powerful spiritual growth.Seeking to WorshipThe Reformers faced some of the same issues we have today. There were competing activities for Sunday mornings. People liked to claim their seat in church. And others definitely had feedback to give to the preacher, especially regarding how long a sermon should be. But for the most part, there was a sense of longing to worship God in a correct and righteous way.As a music leader, Chapter 7: The Visual Arts and Music held my interest. There were opinions about what songs to sing, what instruments (if any) to use, and how to best teach a congregation how to stay in tempo and in tune. But what stuck out to me the most was how music was important to the Reformers. There was no substitute for corporate singing, and they sought to worship in the best way possible.Better Understanding, Deeper AppreciationThis book is perfect for those who are interested in church history and for those who want to know more about the Reformation. For worship leaders and pastors, it will give you a better sense of our Protestant roots.While this is an academic book, it will reward you with knowledge from the past to better understand the present. Reading this book will give all believers a deeper appreciation for how God has built, grown, and established his church. And joining alongside the Reformers, it will lead you to worship.I received a media copy of Worshiping with the Reformers and this is my honest review.

March is Women’s History Month, set aside to learn of, remember and commemorate the important contributions of women in American history. Worshiping with the Reformers by Karin Maag may not directly correlate but this volume is a valuable account of worship practices in the time of the reformers.Today readers receive encouragement to engage with books written by women and ethnic minorities to gain a different perspective from the plethora of writings by white males. It’s a legitimate concept as one can no doubt benefit from divergent viewpoints. It reminds me of F. W. Boreham’s encouragement, “I do suggest that a man should be incessantly forcing his mind along new lines, familiarizing himself with unfamiliar themes, pushing his keel into new seas and exploring worlds on which his eyes have never before gazed.”Do you normally read books by men? Read some written by women. If your reading tends towards those who share your ethnic origin, enjoy the writings of someone from a different race.Doing this to cross it off a checklist or to fulfill a self-imposed quota is futile if we just go through the motions. Approaching it, however, with a sense of inquisitiveness can expand our horizons. If a reader is looking to read a female author, this book is an excellent choice. Not interested in historic worship practices during the reformation period, all the more reason to push yourself along a different line. You may find it enriching.Maag, a PhD from the University of St. Andrews, is professor and director of the H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies at Calvin University. Don’t let these academic qualifications scare you. The books is filled with highly accessible accounts of people and institutions navigating a tumultuous time. It’s fascinating and a joy to read. You don’t have to be an academic, just a learner.You also don’t have to be of the reformed faith to find this interesting. This covers the practices of a multitude of groups during the reformation period. Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed and Anabaptists are the main representatives. Expect to read quotations from luminaries like John Calvin and Martin Luther but thankfully we get to hear from lesser known voices and publications. The author’s research and skill is evident from the depth of content and the organization. Using words as her building material, readers get to follow her creation of a historical edifice that is a wonder to behold.I can’t help thinking that this makes an excellent companion to the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series. Neither is dependent on the other, but this definitely complements the former. It even matches the series in terms of the images and color on the cover. Logos Bible Software should add this resource to their inventory since they include the commentary series. I can’t imagine a better pairing.What adds to the richness is the secondary aspect: “Although the primary focus of this book is on the practice of worship, most of the chapters include some background on the theological approach adopted by Reformation-era church leaders on various topics.” So it’s not just what but why.The chapter headings reveal the main topics: Going to Church, At Church, Preaching, Prayer, Baptism, Communion, The Visual Arts and Music and Worship Outside Church.In walking us through the subject matter Maag points out that even in a particular group, nothing was set in stone. Variation existed. There was “flexibility and diversity.” Even with the best intentions it’s difficult if not impossible to achieve uniform practice.The purpose in examining the differences is to help ministers and lay people today “think more deeply about various aspects of worship practice.” Why did some incorporate icons and others reject them? Why did some hold to set prayers while others favored extemporaneous expression?One of the surprises is the role of government. This is one of the big divides between then and now. In various ways governments regulated the practice of worship, even mandating attendance. Officials were looking at what was best for society, seeing people more as groups rather than individuals.The dedication that I see within these pages is a challenge to my own apathy. The varied expressions lead to considering today’s practices. This window into the past informs the present and has the potential to shape our future. In this time of steadily declining church attendance this can purify the heart to worship anew.

"Worshipping With The Reformers" is a very interesting and informative read on changes in the church resulting from the Reformation. Just over 200 pages, the book addresses many topics on the subject, including changes in the church in:- Worship- Conducting various services - weddings, funerals, preaching, etc.- Use of visual arts.- The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper.- Worshipping outside the church (home, school, visiting with the sick and elderly, etc.).I liked the read for several reasons: very readable, informative and enlightening, wide range of topics covered, and covered several perspectives even within the various Protestant groups.Very good read and recommended.