Summary Of Engaging With God By David Peterson

Critical Evaluation
In Engaging with God David Peterson aims to provide a Biblical theological framework for worship, and he does just that. As he unfolds the Bible’s teachings on worship from Genesis to Revelation it is evident that the Bible is truly a book about worship. And more specifically, it is a book that tells those made in the image of God how they are to worship their Maker with reverent hearts and obedient hands. There are many features of this book that make it outstanding. First is its Biblical theological approach. Instead of severing Scripture from its historical-grammatical context, Peterson faithfully preserves the Bible’s unity and makes a theological study along the progressive revelation of Scripture. Doing this takes
into account greater sections of Scripture, it shows the stream of worship running through the Bible, and adequately covers all of the themes that a more systematic approach would likewise cover. Second, the readability of the book is incredibly helpful. Peterson does a great job communicating deep theological truths with plain speech. Likewise, the format of the book is helpful in synthesizing the wealth of information disseminated throughout each chapter.
Because the volume of Scripture covered is so great, the subdivisions and groupings along Biblical lines are incredibly helpful for retention. Instead of delineating ideas according to systematic themes, the use of book-by-book exposition was both fresh and effective in communicating the truth of Scripture. Future reflection on books like Romans, 1 Thessalonians, and Ephesians will now have an element of worship highlighted in them. Third, Peterson’s willingness to take time to labor in the Scriptures is evident. His conclusions reveal his diligence. In light of all the books available providing shallow or truncated analyses of worship, Peterson’s work standouts as a comprehensive study of a complex subject. Likewise, his willingness to connect theology to practice is also appreciated. This can be seen in his comments regarding the arrangement of furniture in church for greater corporate fellowship and edification (215), his critique of theologically impotent worship songs (278), and his call to revisit the practice of communion in local churches (218). Yet, his book remains more theoretical than practical. While professors, seminary students, and most pastors will be able to wade through this extensive book, many lay people will not be able to tackle such a hefty book. Many
people will fail to have the interest or endurance to work through a book of this depth and length. Peterson does such a good job teasing out all that Scripture has to offer about worship that the final product becomes more of a reference piece than a book on Christian living. It is informative, but not inspiring. Though it will help man think rightly about worship, it will not set a man’s soul on fire to worship. Though, it must be said, Christianity needs both kinds of books. Still for the pastor or worship leader this is a must read. Its faithfulness to the text of Scripture, its willingness to address a variety of sticky worship issues, and its exacting, evangelical approach make it a work that will help form the theology of worship for many years to come. Many readers and writers of more practical worship books will be aided by this straight-edge for Christian worship. David Schrock 6 Conclusion Overall, David Peterson’s Engaging with God is a thoughtful, thorough look at all of what the Bible has to say about worship. It asks the question, “What does the Bible have to say about worship?” and then faithfully, exegetically answers that question. Unlike other books on any number of subjects, it does not merely use Scripture to advocate a pre-existing set of opinions. It rather goes through all the parts of the Bible pertinent to the subject of worship and reports what it finds. Peterson should be commended for his Biblical theological approach, and we as readers, and expositors of the Word, should be reminded that this is the kind of study we should pursue. Through much study and toil, Peterson has written a book that informs the reader of what the Bible teaches on worship and thus how men and women made to worship can acceptably worship the God who has revealed himself in the Bible.