Reformed Worship – Thinking Rightly about Images (Part 3 of 5)

Part III: Westminster Standards, Continued

In part two, we began to look at the contribution of the Westminster divines in relation to worship and images. We looked at relevant chapters and sections, questions and answers, that dealt with the human relationship and response to God in worship and images. Part three here will focus alone on the Westminster Larger Catechism, by far the most detailed document.

In the Larger Catechism, the divines draw out all of the “good and necessary consequences” (WCF 1.6; cf. Belgic 7) of God’s commandment and law. As was said, there is a great amount of detail and clarification here in the Larger Catechism. In Question and Answer 99, we see that the Westminster divines go through a lot of trouble to make sure the reader understands that the Ten Commandments are a summary of the whole moral law (cf. WLC 98). And as the moral law, it has an all-encompassing nature.

The Divines highlight this through eight rules to observe in heeding the commandments: duties required and sins forbidden. This has implications for each commandment. There is potential for sin committed and for sin in the lack of duty fulfilled, and it is man’s duty to obey this revealed will of God perfectly, not to err in sins of commission or omission (WLC 91).

Many in the church today do not think that error in worship is a big deal. God thinks otherwise. This is no light matter—for our Lord is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). This is the thrice holy God of all creation and redemption we are talking about! He has commanded how we are to worship and relate to him, and when attempted wrongly or half-heartedly, the sin of that error can be more heinous in the sight of God than other sins (WLC 150).

Selections from the Westminster Larger Catechism (1647)

Q. 103. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Q. 104-121
For space and readability, readers are encouraged to consult the full text of the Larger Catechism questions 104 through 121, which examine the duties and sins related to the first four commandments. These Q&As thoroughly expound on worship, idolatry, reverence for God’s name, and the sanctity of the Lord’s Day.

You may view these questions in full here (PDF) or within your own copy of the Westminster Standards.

The Proof is in the Prooftext

In parts one through three of this Reformed Reader series, we have read through the Reformed confessions and catechisms on worship and images. There is much to take account of when we think of worship on the Lord’s Day especially, and when we work and reflect throughout the week.

In the next installment of this series, we will look at the biblical texts that deal with worship and images. Were the Reformers simply spouting off personal opinions? When we look at Scripture, we will realize that they were not. Rather, they were confessing the holiness and glory of God in worship and repeating the detestation of images in all its forms as attested by God himself in his revelation to us.

See you in Part Four!