WORSHIP NOTES
Volume 18, No. 9 (September 2023)
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Drawing upon his experience in teaching this material over the past twenty-five years in forty countries, Ron Man provides a rich and deep examination of biblical worship, drawing principles out of a rigorous study of the text of Scripture. He also writes as a practitioner, from the perspective of one who served as a church worship pastor for twenty-two years. Features distinguishing this book from other similar studies include:
1) a tracing of the foundational Revelation and Response pattern through the Scriptures;
2) a more thorough treatment of New Testament texts than is often found;
3) a comprehensive treatment of the crucial role of Jesus Christ as the true Leader of our worship;
4) a consideration of worship as it relates to world missions (including the new field of ethnodoxology); and
5) a concluding summary of twelve “Biblical Principles of Worship,” synthesizing the results of the study.
The cover image (a beautiful work by Kirsten Malcolm Berry; see her other works HERE) portrays artistically what the Greek words in the image mean (“And the veil of the temple was torn in two,” Mark 15:38). This sign signified that Jesus’ death on the cross removed the barrier of sin and allows believers therefore to come into the presence of God with confidence, assurance, and boldness (Hebrews 10:19-22). The bold invitation of the gospel, and the climax of the book of Hebrews, is thus the invitation: “LET US DRAW NEAR” (Hebrews 10:22).
“If you are looking for a biblically grounded, thoroughly comprehensive, meticulously researched, historically connected, vibrantly relevant, and engagingly written work on Christian worship, look no further than Ron Man’s Let Us Draw Near.”
—JOSEPH R. CRIDER, dean of the school of church music and worship, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of Scripture-Guided Worship“The best resource on the crucial subject of godly worship is the Bible. And now, the best guide to those scriptural resources is Ron Man’s newly published book, Let Us Draw Near.”
—A. DUANE LITFIN, president emeritus, Wheaton College“Worship focused on God’s story of redemption in Christ, God’s covenantal table of grace, and God’s mission of love to the world is the source and summit of the very life and hope of all humankind. Ron Man presents a superb magnum opus that delineates multiple aspects and principles of this great climactic act of reconciling friendship with God. This book is a must-have for any serious theologian’s library.”
—JAMES R. HART, president, Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies“I have longed to read this book, having treasured the ministry and music of Ron Man for decades. His great heart and profound insights have been instructing and inspiring Christians around the world for decades. Now we get the distillation of his years of missionary endeavor and instruction in book form through Let Us Draw Near, a masterful work that roots its concepts in God’s word and finds its glory in Christ’s honor.”
—BRYAN CHAPELL, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church of America; author of Christ-Centered Worship“This legacy volume is a testimony to Ron Man’s unwavering commitment to being a resolute student and passionate teacher of worship, always grounded in the clear proclamation of God’s word. Now these lessons are available as a gift to the church.”
—VERNON M. WHALEY, author of Called to Worship“Clear, thorough, practical, accessible, and brimming with Bible, I have never seen so many of the foundational biblical concepts about worship gathered into one place. All this can only come together over a lifetime of teaching, reflection, and most importantly: worshipping. Ron Man has offered a tremendous gift to the church!”
—ZAC HICKS, author of The Worship Pastor