Antioch Christian Authority
Above: Presbyter King explains the truth regarding the Christian Church.
Ancient Antiochene Liturgical Worship
Orthodox Lutherans (Ancient Antiochene Christians) are not
unique in how they worship God in the Divine Service, in fact, the vast
majority of historic Christians traditions look very similar. What are
those similarities? There are a lot but let’s just consider two: the form and content of the public
gathering (commonly referred to as, the Divine Service, the Mass, Divine
Liturgy).
The form of the service is structured around two major pillars:
the reading and preaching of the Word of God, and the receiving of the body and
blood of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper. The other things that fill in around these
are songs and prayers.
The content of these various forms is often Scripture
itself (Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus, Words of
Institution, Benediction, etc.) or inspired by Scripture (confession
of sin, songs of praise). Lutherans believe that because God is worthy of all
glory, honor, and praise, we don’t want to haphazardly just says things on
the fly in a service but rather give Him our very best by prayerfully and
carefully shaping our prayers, songs, and liturgy. The liturgy has been shaped
over thousands of years by faithful Christians and we now have the privilege of
being discipled by them.
Now that we have a basic understanding of form and content, let’s
consider seven reasons Lutherans (and other historic traditions) don’t just
tolerate but really love worshiping God through liturgical worship:
1. Structure and Order: Liturgy provides a structured
framework for worship, guiding both the clergy and laity through a consistent
pattern of service. This structure helps to maintain focus, prevent
distractions, and ensure that key elements of Christian faith and practice are
included in each service.
2. Biblical Model of Worship: The order of historic liturgy is
rooted in Scripture where we find God’s people gathering in God’s presence
confessing their sin, worshiping Him, hearing His Word read and expounded, and
it culminating in the breaking of bread of Holy Communion. Much of the Divine
Service is inspired by or directly found in Scripture.
3. Historical Continuity: Lutheran liturgy is deeply rooted
in the history of the Church, drawing from ancient traditions and
practices. By following a historic liturgy, Lutherans connect with
Christians from past generations, reinforcing a sense of continuity and shared
heritage.
4. Communal Participation: Liturgy is designed to be
participatory, encouraging active involvement from the entire
congregation. The use of shared prayers, hymns, and responses helps to
foster a sense of community and shared worship. It’s not just the job of a few
professional singers, but the work of the entire congregation. Liturgy
literally means “the work of the people.”
5. Holy Eucharist: Lutheranism is a deeply
sacramental tradition that values the place of the sacraments in Christian
worship. The summit of the Divine Service is when we hear Christ’s promise and
gift of His holy body and blood being given to us.
6. Education and Discipleship: The liturgy incorporates key
elements of Christian doctrine and practice, serving as a form of catechesis
(religious instruction). Through the regular repetition of creeds,
prayers, and scripture readings, Lutherans are reminded of fundamental
Christian beliefs and values.
7. Spiritual Growth: Liturgy provides a framework for
spiritual growth by encouraging reflection, contemplation, and engagement with
the Word of God. The structured approach to worship can help individuals
deepen their relationship with God and experience a more profound encounter
with the divine.
8. Sanctifying Time and Space: The liturgy follows the rhythm
of the Church Year, marking seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and
Pentecost. This cyclical pattern helps Lutherans to understand the gospel
story and its implications for their lives, sanctifying time and reminding them
of God's presence in all aspects of life.
