Paul Luckraft reviews ‘It’s not about the music’ by Dan Lucarini (EP Publishing, 2010)

Subtitled ‘A Journey into Worship’, this is an excellent book for those who want to understand better the nature of worship – especially in relation to what has been happening in our church services in recent times.

In his previous books, the author explained why he left the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) movement. Here Lucarini examines the subject of worship from a biblical perspective and comes to the conclusion that ‘it’s not about the music’. He is aware that this will be a challenging statement for many, but his case is well-argued and well-established from Scripture.

Worship in Scripture

Lucarini warns that people can tell a lot about the God we worship by the way that we worship him. Getting that right should be a priority. In the first chapter, he sets out the aims of his book; primarily, it is to explore what the Bible teaches about worship and from there understand the type of worship that pleases God most. Through this, we will develop a resistance to worldly fashions and styles “that are like viruses infecting our personal and public worship” (p22).

Biblically, the author starts with Jesus’ statement about worship in John 4:21-25. The need to worship ‘in spirit and in truth’ provides the main focus. Here is the ‘strong meat’ of worship that will guide our thinking in coming chapters.

In chapter 3, Lucarini examines the Hebrew and Greek words usually translated as ‘worship’. These words have very specific meanings and should not be changed to suit us. We should change our methods and styles to fit what God has decreed - then we will discover the true essence of worship: namely, the total submission of our minds, hearts and flesh to God.

The most common biblical act of worship was to bow down, often flat on one’s face. While this doesn’t have to be a physical action, it should be the dominant attitude in our worship.

Lucarini warns that people can tell a lot about the God we worship by the way that we worship him.

Critiquing ‘Worship Inc.’

In the next few chapters the author explores the role of sacrifice in worship. He shows that the New Testament reveals three sacrifices expected of worshippers: our body, praise and koinonia (fellowship). It is in these pages that we discover what Lucarini means by his title. Praise is not primarily about music, but about “the fruit of our lips” (Hos 14:2). “The words that come from our lips are the most important part of the offering” (p61).

Lucarini goes on to explain how many modern songs start with the music, then add words to fit the rhythms and moods that the music has created. Most songwriters, he claims, are musicians - and so music dominates their output. The words are often secondary and hence trite or misleading (even biblically inaccurate). He compares this to some of the great hymn-writers of the past who started with the words, producing great poems of praise which could stand alone as worship without any music. Only later was a tune written or found as a setting for the words.

The author is particularly scathing of the contemporary Christian worship scene, which has become an industry dominated by the need to produce albums that outsell others. He calls this ‘Worship Inc.’, a market-driven enterprise designed to pour profits into the coffers of those who produce and promote such ‘worship’. Driven by musical performers, this entertainment business uses all the latest gimmicks to stimulate demand for new products. It also introduced the concept of the modern worship leader - someone who produces a ‘track list’ of songs for the rest of the congregation to follow.

In the latter part of his book, Lucarini draws “with much honour and respect” upon the classic writings of AW Tozer, picking up on his theme of worship as ‘the missing jewel’. In line with Tozer, Lucarini believes that prayer, the public reading of Scripture and the breaking of bread should be as much part of worship as songs and musical items.

The author is particularly scathing of the contemporary Christian worship scene.

Plea for Reform

If we have fallen well below the ideals outlined in Scripture, then what should be done to restore biblical worship? Lucarini offers many solutions, but in particular invites us to go on our own journey into worship to discover for ourselves what the Bible teaches.

There is much more to commend in this well-written and thought-provoking book on a vital topic. Each chapter concludes with a summary and the book ends with three very useful appendices. The first two provide a complete list of Old Testament and New Testament verses on worship (110 and 72 verses respectively – plenty to keep you busy!). The third appendix contains guidelines to choosing music for use in church. Eight biblical guidelines are provided, with Scripture references, together with useful questions such as “Does it appeal mainly to the spirit or the flesh?” and “Does it promote the things of this world?”

The author has succeeded in making an impassioned plea for reform wherever our worship practices have gone astray and followed the world rather than the Word. His book should be read not just by worship leaders and pastors, but by everyone involved in worship – which means every one of us!

‘It’s Not About the Music: A Journey into Worship’ (220pp) is available from Amazon for £9.99.