Saturated with Scripture

I was reading a few blogs and came across a fellow from an Evangelical background who is giving some serious thought to non-evangelical things. Many of his posts were thought provoking and all were well written but one phrase stood out as he compared liturgical and evangelical worship -- Scripture saturated...

He noted that in liturgical churches some 10-15 minutes is given to reading Scripture right from Scripture -- the unadulterated Word. These lessons are dispersed from throughout the Bible and are not appointed by the whim of the preacher but by the wisdom of the Church. He finds it to be a great exposure in comparison with the few verses of one text generally read in Evangelical churches. Often he admits that in these congregations, Scripture is limited to a phrase here or there -- spoken or in song form. His great surprise -- that liturgical churches, often castigated for being not Word oriented, actually give more exposure and prominence to the Word of God than evangelical churches.

I would not stop there. One author said that the definition of liturgy is sung Scripture, 99 44/100% pure. In other words, if we count the Scripture sung in the liturgy, spoken in the liturgy, and present in the liturgy (in prayers, for example), we are saturated with Scripture every Sunday morning. What a wonderful way of looking at it. We are saturated with Scripture.

In an age looking for polyunsaturated paths, liturgical churches stand out for giving Scripture its place and voice throughout the liturgy on Sunday morning. Our people are literally bombarded with the Bible in melodic song, verse and refrain, hymn and text, lesson and sermon, creed and prayer. You cannot escape it. Add to that the visual Scriptures of the crucifix, stained glass, paraments, banners, etc... and the truth is that Scripture abounds in the setting as well as the actual service elements themselves.

This is a good thing for those who believe God's Word is not an historical record, an encyclopedic reference book, a psychology or sociology textbook, a how to for marriage and family, or a rule book.... in other words, those who believe that Scripture is the living voice of God still speaking... speaking forgiveness, life and salvation... because that voice speaks Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen... because that voice is power to do what it promises...

The Word of God stands supreme in liturgical churches -- even when sermons miss the mark, the Word is there and prominently so. It is the center and focus as well as the adornment and fringe of the Sunday liturgy. It is there because we believe it has the power to accomplish what it says and do what it promises. Where Scripture speaks there God is present and at work bestowing upon His people the blessings and benefits Jesus won for them with His sacrificial death and life-giving resurrection.

Sunday morning, if you walk through our doors, you will be saturated with Scripture... so be prepared if you are on a low Scripture diet... it can be overwhelming...