Friday, January 12, 2007

Shouting, "Amen!" with John Knox


Some of those who occasion this blog come from the Reformed tradition of Christianity, and others, like myself, find our home specifically in Presbyterianism. To those of you from these "tribes," please take a moment to gird up your loins before reading the next few sentences. Folks like us are known for doing things "decently and in order" and are sometimes chided by our Christian friends from other traditions for our stiffness in public worship. Well, it wasn't always so. Apparently, the practice of parishoners shouting, "Amen!" and other exclamations during the Sunday sermon has its historical roots, of all imaginable places, in Scottish Presbyterianism. And not in some late manifestion, but during the time of the Reformation itself. On no less an authority than Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of the magisterial and massive The Reformation, "Scotland..developed the community drama of the sermon to its height. It was preceded by the prolonged ringing of the church bells which had once rung the faithful to Mass...Once everyone was in, the doors would be locked. Scottish congregations might then be encouraged to participate in the sermon-drama, being urged to shout out responses, cries of praise or 'Amen', in the manner that has been inherited by American evangelical Protestantism" (p.586). Honestly, I really thought the "Amen!" "Praise the Lord!" business was the original property of Pentecostals and Charismatics. Didn't you? I don't know what might happen if this fact gets out, and I fully expect that a few folks from my own congregation might start pressing their historical rights the first Sunday after they read this. Well, bless them. Most Christian liturgy, ours included, is full of congregational responses -- so why not during the sermon? As somebody once said, "When the Holy Spirit falls on some people, they quiet. When he falls on others, they get loud." So, as far as I'm concerned, we Presbyterians might be currently runnng an "Amen" deficit, to the degree that might even surprise our own theological and ecclesiologial forebearers. I've always been encouraged when I hear somebody blurt one out, however timidly. Knowing we've also got John Knox nodding in approval is a welcomed twist of church history that I, honestly, never saw coming. Amen, indeed.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

If we could trade an occasional AMEN! for that mind itching type of sussuration which periodically passes between two young females who's heads are bent toward each other during the service I'd be all for it :-)

But speaking of doors being locked, I wonder if it was to train late comers. In South Africa in the Reformed Churches you only get people coming in late once every few months since they are embarrassed by the Pastor as they come in. Stuff like "Well, we can start now that you've come" or "So, how are you today" while glaring etc.. Normally I approve of punctuality, and I very much appreciated congregations showing respect by being there on time, but once we had car trouble and were singled out for that sort of public discipline and I rather thought it somewhat unfair.

But, as always a valuable and interesting essay, thanks. Or TELL IT TO 'EM BROTHER!

Tim

Anonymous said...

Hey we're supposed to be like children right? Kids are always talking through movies and stuff, let's get crazy in church! ;-)

Jen Smith said...

I was watching Mabel and Jonathan in the nursery otherwise I woulda shouted an amen for ya. That is iffin I was inspired to do so.