Public Worship 101: An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Worship, the Elements of Worship, Exclusive Psalmody, and A Cappella Psalmody

by Dennis Prutow

Public Worship 101 is an introduction to the Biblical theology of worship, the elements of worship, exclusive Psalmody, and a cappella Psalmody. It follows the basic outline of Dr. Prutow's Ministry of Worship classes with much more detail, including the addition of important historical data. The purpose of the book is to demonstrate that, in Biblical worship, God renews His covenant with His people as they draw near to Him in the place He prescribes (the gathered congregation), on the day He prescribes, in the manner He prescribes, with the elements He prescribes, including the praise He prescribes both in content, exclusive Psalmody, and manner, a cappella Psalmody, using an order properly deduced from Scripture. Whether this purpose is accomplished is for you, the reader, to judge.

542 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Russ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a basic primer, but a polemic. For a book on Reformed worship he spends far more time on exclusive psalmody than he does on the preaching of the word and the sacraments.

Prutow is selective in his examples and his history. This work is purely for the already convinced, but not the Christian looking for a honest look at the breadth of Reformed worship.

[Dylan Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was all overall really good and compelling, especially the study on Acapella worship. Only giving four stars because at times it can be repetitive.

[Benjamin Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty straight forward defense of the traditional Presbyterian and confessional understanding of the Regulative Principle, including a defense of acapella worship, exclusive psalmody, and session-controlled communion as well as a biblical view of the Christian Sabbath and why it is vital for the Christian Life. One thing that was missing from this work that I would have liked to have seen included was a discussion of the church calendar and why it is not in keeping with Biblical worship. This book should be able to be read by laymen without much trouble. It is not filled with a lot of theological gobbledygook and terms.

I guess I should mention that I had Dr. Prutow for class in seminary.

Highly recommend.