What Happens When We Worship
by Jonathan Landry Cruse
Book review by Jordan Dohms

In an accessible style, enriched with ample quotes from Scripture and Reformed sources, Jonathan Landry Cruse answers this question in his book of the same title. The book is under 200 pages and divided into three parts: a theology of worship (the ‘why’), an anatomy of worship (the ‘what’), and, lastly, preparing our hearts. Cruse begins with God, the one worthy of our worship, who has condescended to meet with us in it. He reminds readers that this simple and regular activity is the pinnacle of our own and the church’s calling and purpose (our ‘chief end’) on earth, and it is an activity that will continue into eternity.

It is easy to diminish the magnificence of worship as we attend week by week, month after month, year after year. Yet what a glorious thing it is that God has invited us to partake in this sacred act, reminding us time and again of His covenant love and faithfulness as He brings instruction, encouragement, and correction through His Word and Spirit. Cruse also warns us that not all that claims to be worship is Biblical worship; some have departed from Scripture into the varied abuses of ‘entertainment’ and ‘mystical’ counterfeits.

As we gain a deeper understanding of why we are to worship, Cruse describes the function and significance of several common elements of a Reformed worship service: the call to worship, the reading of the law, confession of sin and declaration of pardon, preaching, the Lord’s Supper, singing, and the benediction. Each element discussed is full of significance in the life of the believer, deepening our love for God and our desire to exalt His name.

I encourage everyone to read this book. Whether you are new to Reformed worship or have attended services all your life, we can all benefit from meditating on these foundational truths of our faith. Such meditation will increase our love for the worship we are privileged to participate in, instilling a newfound zeal as we read or sing the opening words of Psalm 122: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”