Upon His Holy Mountain

"Unfortunately, the Celtic church during the Roman occupation followed the rest of Christendom into Catholic ritualism and superstition."  The statement above is from a High School British Literature textbook from a well known Baptist publisher (which shall remain nameless). In context, it is discussing the historical background for early English literature and particularly religion in the British Isles. Like many Christians today, and Baptistic Christians especially, the compilers of this book obviously have something against what they label "ritualism". Their appraisal of the British Church in other parts of history is not much better (except for the Reformation). What exactly is "ritualism" and why are certain sectors of Christendom so opposed to it? Ritualism By the phrase "ritualism" I believe the authors are referring to what is properly called, liturgy. Every church has liturgy whether they admit it or not. Does your church have a se...

" And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, both with songs and with harps, and with viols, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets." (I Chronicles 13:8 GNV) It was a time of great celebration and rejoicing for Israel and King David. The Ark of the Covenant, lost to the heathen Philistines had been returned to them. As the Ark entered Jerusalem, the people sang and the priest accompanied them with an assortment of instruments. Harps, viols, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets- boy howdy that must have been loud! And, as any conservative Christian will note, "Where's the piano?" There were none, of course. But among the instruments used are some that will surprise most. Let's investigate. Just what are these "viols" and "timbrels"? Are those cymbals simply "cymbolic" (couldn't resist a pun there) or are they the real deal? More modern translations, such as the NKJV  say they played on ...