Proclamation and Praise

Synopsis:
An important missing element in today's raging worship debates is a proper acknowledgment of the continuing ministry of the living Christ in mediating and leading our worship. This is a crucial truth that transcends issues of style and form and thus provides a foundation for a unified and unifying understanding of worship, in spite of the wide diversity of worship expressions that has always characterized the body of Christ.
The wonderful fact is that we are not left to worship God on our own strength! Rather, the grace of God, which is so abundantly provided to us for our salvation and sanctification, can be seen to be just as operational and effectual when it comes to our worship. Our worship is acceptable and pleasing to God not because of any inherent excellence of its own, but because we come in Christ and his righteousness into the Father's presence.
In Hebrews 2:12 we find an amazingly succinct yet powerful description of the two-way mediating ministry of Christ: he continues to be the agent of God's revelation to us and also serves as the leader and facilitator of our response back to God in worship. Christ does not just open or show us the way into the Father's presence in worship; he actively leads us, takes us with him so that we might enjoy the same relationship of love and fellowship that he himself enjoys with the Father. This transforming understanding opens up a wide range of complementary truths concerning the Trinitarian and Christological implications of worship--with profound implications for our churches.

Endorsements:
Ron Man is an able guide into the undiscovered country of one of the most electric, encouraging, and important passages on worship. This book is beautifully written, thoroughly researched and deeply drawn from Scripture and the theologians of the Church. Proclamation and Praise sets worship in its eternal context of being the work of the ascended Christ. Man not only uncovers the common ground amongst proponents of various styles of worship, he takes us further into the heart of worship than many have ever been. This is theology that sings!

Gerrit S. Dawson, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church (Baton Rouge); author of Jesus Ascended: The Meaning of Christ's Continuing Incarnation


Ron Man has written a compelling account of an undervalued part of Jesus's story: that he rose from the dead to carry on the Father's program of redemption among us. Astutely exegeting Hebrews 2:12, Ron Man makes a case for a revolutionary view of the church--Jesus is the chief Preacher and Leader of Praise.

Reggie Kidd, Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando); Pastor of Worship, Orangewood Presbyterian Church (Maitland FL); author of With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our Worship

Insightful, biblical, theologically astute, and well-communicated, Ron Man's presentation is a long overdue treatment of the Hebrews 2 passage. This is a wonderful reminder that Jesus Christ himself is central to our worship. Using evidence gathered from the pages of scripture, the events of history, and the witness of the Church, Man articulates with skill and conviction the truth about Christ being our worship leader.

Vernon M. Whaley, Director, Center for Worship, Liberty University; author of The Dynamics of Corporate Worship

Author Biography:
Ron Man is the director of worship resources for Greater Europe Mission. He teaches extensively abroad and in the United States and is the editor of Worship Notes, a free monthly online worship newsletter.