Introduction
Christianity is a complex religion with a rich history, and various people choose slightly different approaches to worship. This diversity is excellently described in the works of Ruth and Lim (2017) and Smith (2009), who explain the Pentecostal and white mainline traditions. The current essay compares these approaches, provides a thorough response to the sacramentality focus, and presents a personal reflection on the topic.
Sacramentality Focus
Sacramentality generally implies a spiritual origin and connection to God in everything people do. The same concept applies to worshipping, but various traditions have slightly different understandings of what worshipping is. First, Smith (2009) overviews the Pentecostal approach, which primarily focuses on spirituality and suggests that the whole world is a sacrament. It means that worshipping is possible everywhere, and the most critical element is faith.
On the other hand, Ruth and Lim (2017) explain both the Pentecostal approach and the white mainline tradition. The latter emphasizes the significance of the church and external elements, such as the use of media, preaching, and music, to achieve a connection with God (Ruth & Lim, 2017). The authors provide a thorough explanation of the mainline tradition but do not imply that one perspective is objectively better than the other.
Comparison
The differences between the two traditions primarily emerge from their understanding of spirituality. In the Pentecostal approach, a sacrament is omnipresent, meaning that every believer can establish an intimate connection with God. Smith (2009) mentions that this understanding of sacramentality has a few disadvantages, such as a lack of meaning in the church and liturgy.
However, he also notes that even though “the world is a sacrament,” divine places can be “both revelatory and formative in a unique way” (Smith, 2009, p. 148). Therefore, the church does play a significant role in worship. The mainline tradition further exaggerates the meaning of sacred places and associated rituals. Music, preaching, and media use have become critical contemporary worship elements (Ruth & Lim, 2017).
The problem is that this superficial complexity dims the significance of spirituality, opposing the main principles of sacramentality in the Pentecostal tradition. Ultimately, suppose the church is more significant than the divine connection itself. In that case, contemporary worship loses its meaning, which is the primary criticism of the mainline approach.
Personal Reflection
The Pentecostal tradition grabs my thoughts and attention the most, partially because of its focus on spirituality and somewhat because I disapprove of the extreme significance of the church in the mainline approach. I believe superficial practices, such as extensive/regular preaching, focus on church interiors, and other non-spiritual factors, might harm people’s understanding of worship. As Ruth and Lim (2017) note, “It overlooks the Pentecostal sacramentality that lies behind the rise of contemporary worship in many critical aspects,” and I fully agree with this statement (p. 13). That is why the Pentecostal tradition is closer to my understanding of sacramentality, and I find it more fascinating.
Conclusion
The Pentecostal and mainline traditions described by the authors provide a unique perspective on sacramentality and worship. The former focuses primarily on the spiritual aspects, while the latter adds the component of external rituals, such as music and other social elements. While both traditions are relevant and have unique advantages and disadvantages, I prefer the Pentecostal idea of spirituality. The concept that the whole world is a sacrament, while the church is secondary, is closer to my understanding of worship.
References
Ruth, L., & Lim, S. H. (2017). Lovin’ on Jesus: A concise history of contemporary worship. Abingdon Press.
Smith, J. K. A. (2009). Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, worldview, and cultural formation (cultural liturgies). Baker Academic.