DISPUTED DOCTRINES -- Chapter Twenty-One

QUESTIONS IN LITURGICS

The question which we purpose to discuss here concerns the significance of the opening words of The Divine Service: "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." How are these words to be understood here? Upon this there is great diversity of view. Pastors of German Lutheran Churches, following the lead of German Liturgical scholars, almost without exception regard these words as an invitation. Some few scholars interpret the words as an authorization of the service which is about to follow. On the other hand, in the English Common Service Book of the United Lutheran Church, these words are spoken of in the rubrics as an invocation.

It must be admitted that the words in themselves are as susceptible to the one interpretation as to the other. The question must consequently be decided from another angle. Here the history of the usage should be taken into account. In the pre-Reformation Church, in both its Eastern and Western branches, it has always been regarded as an invocation, and is so used to this day. There is nothing wrong in this; and upon the principle on which the Reformation proceeded, viz., "Prove all things: hold fast to that which is good," it should be retained. It is so used also in the High Anglican Church. Where the words themselves are neutral, history should be decisive as to their significance and usage in the Church of the Conservative Reformation.

In addition to this, the most natural thing in the world, as we enter the house of God for worship, would be to invoke the Triune God for His blessing upon us. This should be our first thought. We should not wait to be invited, and we need no authorization to worship the Lord our God. That is our duty as well as our high and lofty privilege; but surely we should invoke Him in deepest reverence and devotion. This historic usage is the most appropriate; let us follow it, and receiving the Lord's blessing upon our service, let us worship Him in Spirit and in truth and in all the beauty of holiness.

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