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Trembling Joy: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Worship
Many Christians say that the “style” of worship depends on personal preference. At the same time, preference is often the deciding factor in choosing a church. After all, who wants to attend a church where the worship seems unexciting, unfamiliar, or downright weird? But what if worship style were more than a matter of personal taste? In Trembling Joy, Pastor Ryan Speck answer that question by turning to the Scriptures, showing how God’s definition and description of worship should impact our own.
272 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 21, 2025
What I appreciate most about this book is the author's contention throughout that 1) God determines how he is to be worshipped, and 2) we must find Biblical warrant for how we worship God. In all this, Speck is talking about corporate worship, the gathered people of God coming into his presence to worship him.
Speck spends time defining worship, and corporate worship in particular, the necessity of liturgy, and goes through all the elements of corporate worship individually. Throughout he emphasizes the regulative principle of worship, that is, "Everything we do in worship must have positive, divine warrant." To that end, in every chapter he makes extensive references to Biblical texts. One might quibble with some of his statements (is this truly an element of worship or simply a circumstance of worship?), but overall he makes a compelling case.
He also includes two appendixes, one on exclusive psalm singing and one on ecclesiastical holy days. This is a thought provoking book.
Speck spends time defining worship, and corporate worship in particular, the necessity of liturgy, and goes through all the elements of corporate worship individually. Throughout he emphasizes the regulative principle of worship, that is, "Everything we do in worship must have positive, divine warrant." To that end, in every chapter he makes extensive references to Biblical texts. One might quibble with some of his statements (is this truly an element of worship or simply a circumstance of worship?), but overall he makes a compelling case.
He also includes two appendixes, one on exclusive psalm singing and one on ecclesiastical holy days. This is a thought provoking book.
May 9, 2023
An eminently helpful treatment of the subject of Christian worship. In 16 chapters and 2 appendices, Speck address the general “what” of biblical worship and the specific “whats” included in a biblical liturgy (including sequence).
May 24, 2023
Useful book. Idiosyncratic at points. Particularly helpful defense of morning and evening worship. Worth reading once and referring to occasionally.
June 5, 2024
A Considerable Defense
Speck provided numerous Scripture references for his defense. His position was well defended. One may not have to agree to each point, but overall the book has achieved its purpose of defending the case for Traditional Worship.
Some point could have been flushed out more, but perhaps due to the size of the book, there are area that needed to be omitted.
Speck provided numerous Scripture references for his defense. His position was well defended. One may not have to agree to each point, but overall the book has achieved its purpose of defending the case for Traditional Worship.
Some point could have been flushed out more, but perhaps due to the size of the book, there are area that needed to be omitted.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews