Let Us Worship God: Why We Worship the Way We Do

by Derek W.H. Thomas

Worship isn’t just something we do—it’s the purpose of our existence. Every week, Christians come together to share a taste of heaven itself, where all of God’s redeemed people will exalt His holy name forever. But what’s really going on when we worship? And what’s worship supposed to look like in the life of the church? In Let Us Worship God , Dr. Derek Thomas addresses the “how” and “why” of Christian worship. May we worship God however we want? Do we need the church, or can we worship alone? What are the necessary elements of a worship service? These and other questions find their answers in these pages, leading us to a greater understanding of worship as life’s highest privilege and richest joy.

Genres: Ecclesiology, Theology, Christianity

165 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2021

About the author

Originally from Wales, Dr. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

In addition to serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A 1978 graduate of RTS, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written numerous books, including The Storm Breaks: Job Simply Explained, Wisdom: the Key to Living God’s Way, and God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained, Making the Most of Your Devotional Life based on the Ascent Psalms, and Praying the Savior’s Way, based on the Lord’s Prayer. Recently he published Let’s Study Revelation (Banner of Truth), Let’s Study Galatians (Banner of Truth), and Calvin’s Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God (Christian Focus). He also co-edited, Give Praise To God: A Vision for Reforming Worship (P & R).

His interests include the music of Anton Bruckner, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler as well as a passion for good coffee.

He has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for almost 30 years. They have two adult children, Ellen and Owen.

Reviews

[Jonah Twiddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little primer on historic Christian worship. I was convinced of the regulative principle, but with his helpful caveat: "The regulative principle is just that - a principle. It doesn't answer every single question one may throw at it. And because of that, it does not commit the church to a 'cookie-cutter', liturgical sameness." Even among churches that firmly believe in the principle there will be drastically different liturgies that all conform to the regulations laid down in the Word. That frees us up for a lot of needed grace toward one another. At the same time, "...man-centered worship is nothing short of idolatry. God is seeking worshipers. The one to whom we must be sensitive is not the worshiper; it is God!" Fire.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book.

I found it an interesting read about different worships and how they work.

This book also detailed how detrimental COVID was to the church.
That and about everything else

Good read.

3.6/5

[Charlie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good explanations on why aspects of Sunday worship are essential and what they are. Don’t remember much from the early chapters because I took so long to finish it, but the final chapters on baptism, communion, and benediction were great. The chapter on benediction was very convicting and eye opening to something that is easy to view as a sign that the service is over.

[Clay Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this 3.5 if I could, but I don’t really want to give it 4. I like the idea behind this book, I just disagree with some of his conclusions. Minor stuff; Thomas is a solid brother.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a time where individualism is considered greater than any kind of group activity or identity, people don’t see the point in corporate identity. The Church is just as affected by this cultural shift as the rest of Western society. But is individual worship, without being attached to a Church body, what pleases God the most? Is there a certain way to worship prescribed by the Bible? The answer is a resounding yes.

Though individual Christians worship God by living their lives to His glory, there is biblical evidence that the Church as a group should gather regularly to worship God together. Not only that, but there are activities that are supposed to be done during those gatherings. Yet even that can be taken too far, and exclusivity based on preference to a certain way of doing things can exclude those who don’t agree. The best thing to do is to discover in God’s Word what is prescribed and then note what isn’t prescribed, such as a way of doing things this way or that, and then live in the freedom that God grants us through Christ.

This book carefully looks at what the Word says is supposed to happen in corporate worship while also noting that there is not usually a definite way you have to do the different activities. Preferences such as type of music are not mandated by God, and there are many ways to worship Him through these mediums. If you are curious about what the Bible says and does not say about proper Christian worship, this book is a great place to start.

[Jarrod Reid · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an intersection book. I think there’s some really great aspects that I can pull from this, such as how we view the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day. But I think the overall tone of the book and how he justifies some of his arguments really bother me. He speaks of this “silence” in scripture to justify infant baptism but then slams “silence” about full immersion. I feel like he contradicts his thoughts as he goes from one to the other. He does reference a ton of scripture, but often I felt like he used scripture in a vague sense and then justified very specific doctrines with creeds. While I think creeds are very helpful and useful, it felt like he relied more on those to drive a point rather than scripture.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy anything by Derek Thomas. It’s never very theologically deep, but then again, I don’t think it’s supposed to be. And mentally, his writing is supposed to remind us of the fundamentals. And that’s what’s going on here. He draws attention to the so-called “worship wars” where people are either part of the relative principle, or the normative principle, or whatever it is, that goes on in modern churches where people just do whatever they want. He calls attention to why we worship a particular way without telling us what way is how we should. Plenty of times he uses his own church as an example but it’s only to illustrate the concept not to say one way is right or wrong. It is worth taking a look at how the way our local body worships reconciles with scripture.

[Delinda Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of an Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church I really appreciate this book by Dr Thomas. While it has been taught at our church, it is always good to read it from other perspectives.

Dr Thomas has spoken at our church and he is amazing to listen to. It is so rewarding to read his book telling why we worship the way we do to include songs, prayer and the order of worship as well as speaking of the sacraments and the benediction, and see that it is in accordance with what my Pastor has taught.

He also enlightens our ARP belief in infant baptism and why we do it. All in all he has validated what my Pastors have taught in my church and even goes deeper

A must read to answers to many questions you may have about why we worship is specific ways

[Samuel Muñiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una obra excelente para reflexionar sobre la importancia de nuestra liturgia cristiana.

Thomas define, explica y argumenta a favor de cada elemento, incluso exponiéndolos a la luz de otras perspectivas históricas de la iglesia. Entre estos elementos se incluyen la iglesia local, el día del Señor, el principio regulativo, los credos y los sacramentos (el bautismo y la santa cena).

Este libro es un llamado de Dios a participar y amar el cuerpo de Cristo, ya que es allí donde tenemos comunión con Él, de acuerdo con su pacto sagrado.

[Josie Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

very theological based on the presbyterian church and how its structured and why. It was very informative. It was scripturally based but didnt really have that much opposition in the argument. It was basically just the presbyterians church interpretation of scripture. It would be beneficial to have a book or evidence of counterarguments within the different denominations. Still interesting and informative though.

[Michael Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about the importance of corporate worship! The book approaches questions from a Presbyterian perspective, but the wisdom and explanations of the various "moving parts" of the liturgy and of historic Christian worship are well-explored and certainly transcend denominational lines. Highly recommend!

[Katie Seeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved the first half of this book as he talked about the Regulative principle and Keeping Sunday Special. But heartily disagree with some of his explanations made in the second half concerning infant baptism and his thoughts on the Lords supper.
Not sure I would recommend this book to others based on his concluding chapters.

[Katrina Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An older man in our church asked us to buy this book for him. I had just enough time to speed read it before handing it over to him on Sunday. The content is thorough yet clear. Worth reading, even if you disagree with the Presbyterian author on baptism.

[Charis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing really wrong with the book I just found it basic and there were too many mentions of COVID. Not what I was looking for, I was hoping there would be more in depth information about the history of the way Reformed Christians worship.

[Tom Heasman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great chapters on: preaching / prayer / benediction

But: found over-emphasis on Reg Princ a bit hard to stomach, and it made the tone of the whole thing a little…preachy.

[Michael T Moos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stuff in here, I’m glad I read it.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of good stuff here—even though i disagreed on some aspects because i’m not presbyterian.

[Drew Norwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A good introduction to the different aspects of worship in the Reformed, presbyterian tradition.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read in a world that takes faith to casually.

[Emma Sullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, but a great overview of the different parts of the liturgy specifically in a Reformed Presbyterian church. I found it insightful and interesting.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on worship from Derek Thomas. As usual, his books are well written, practical, and theologically precise.

Upon rereading this almost two years later, I still maintain my 5 star rating. This is the best, concise treatment of Reformed Worship that I have seen. It keeps the main things the main things without getting carried away by the controversies, arguments, and debates surrounding worship and the elements of worship and the circumstances of worship. I would hand this book to anyone wanting to know why Reformed and Presbyterian churches worship the way they do.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great perspective on worship.