FRONTLINE Volume 36 • Number 6
So, why do you go to church? A casual survey of church websites among evangelical churches would seem to point the needle closer to experiencing God than knowing God. Most assuredly, God desires that each of us have an intimate relationship with Him, and that relationship, like any relationship, includes emotion, even deep emotion. But the Scriptures clearly teach that the foundation of our relationship with God, both individually and corporately, is not first experience and feelings, but knowledge. Paul unequivocally states, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord … that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil. 3:8, 10). In addressing out-of-bounds corporate worship at Corinth, Paul patiently directs the congregation back to the purpose of gathering together: “Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Cor. 14:26). Yes, they were praying and singing with their heart (spirit), but that was not the best for corporate worship with fellow believers and before unbelievers. They needed to pray and sing with understanding, engaging their mind, communicating the truth about God to the gathered assembly (1 Cor. 14:13–17). Paul proclaims, “Brethren, be not children in understanding … be men” (1 Cor. 14:20). Peter states to the scattered pilgrims of Asia Minor that we have all that we need for life and for godliness in the knowledge (not experience) of Christ (2 Pet. 1:3).
So then, why do we find so many churches emphasizing experiencing God? Welcome to this issue of FrontLine! Join me in exploring the influence and avoiding the dangers of charismatic theology on the worship practice of so many churches today. Our primary distinctive as Baptists is the Bible is our only rule of faith and practice — we are people of the Book! I trust that as you read these articles you will be stirred to a faithful practice of biblical worship both personally and corporately, thinking carefully about why we do what we do in our worship services. May God, the primary Observer and Object of our worship, be pleased with our worship of Him. And may even our Christmas worship bring honor to our Savior!
May the Lord give you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
David Anderson,
Associate Editor
THE QUEST TO FEEL THE SPIRIT
David Saxon
A focus on feelings will inevitably diminish the centrality of God’s Word and, if we’re not careful, will end in our worshipping ourselves rather than God.
CORPORATE WORSHIP IN 150 AD: HOW DID THE EARLY CHRISTIANS “DO CHURCH”?
David Potter
Does the New Testament offer evidence that miraculous gifts had ceased?
BEWARE OF UNBIBLICAL CONTINUATIONISM
Bryan Brock
What is continuationism and how does it affect worship today?
TO THINK OR TO FEEL, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Douglas Bachorik
The commanding priority for music is the facilitation of a worshipper’s thoughtful, spiritual engagement with the lyrics.
THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT IN AFRICA
Ben Sinclair
The charismatic movement in Africa has effectively co-opted many of the historic forms of African worship because charismatic theology naturally harmonizes with traditional, spiritistic African religion.
SHOULD I GET EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS? SCRIPTURAL CLUES TO WORSHIPPING OUR SAVIOR AT CHRISTMAS
David Anderson
Do we have any biblical support and guidance for our celebration of the birth of Christ?
Sound Words: Inspiration for the Pastor’s Study
First Partaker – Intimate Communion with Individual Members of the Godhead
Mark Minnick
Bring … the Books – The Ministry of Intercession, by Andrew Murray
Jordan Smith
Straight Cuts – The Seer and the Blind (2 Kings 6:8–23)
Joel Arnold
Windows – Behind The Scenes: God’s Providence in America’s Struggle for Independence
Dan Unruh
DEPARTMENTS
NEWS FROM ALL OVER
ON THE HOME FRONT
BEST OF PROCLAIM AND DEFEND
REGIONAL REPORTS
HEART TO HEART
Your Suffering Is Not an Escape Room
Rachel Mayes Allen
AT A GLANCE: Divine Glory in Human Flesh
Layton Talbert
WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD: God Is Still at Work
Jim Tillotson
STEWARDSHIP MATTERS: Bald Tires in Church Parking Lots
Corey Pfaffe
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
FrontLine • November/December 2026. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.
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