Come Let Us Worship, Day 2, December 2

 Most of us would not be familiar with the term: cultural liturgies.  Liturgy comes from a Greek word “leitourgia” and it has come to mean an established formula for public worship, a prescribed ritual which many churches use in their services and in their ceremonial rites.  Dr. Jamie Smith, a Canadian philosopher teaching at Calvin College, has authored several books that show that it is not just the Church that has a liturgy, but culture does too[1].  Shopping Malls surface in our culture and serve a liturgy that is very much as real as the average Church.

Dr. Smith convincing argues that there is an intentional parallel between historic places of religious worship and our shopping malls and plazas.   When you enter, you cannot see the outside world anymore, so time has the effect of standing still. You have now entered an arena where you will be cared for.  You are now part of an ‘ekklesia’ – a community or an assembly of people all worshiping the same things.  Of course the objective of mall worship is the same as Christian worship: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NIV).  The goal of cultural liturgy is to take your heart.

As you enter the mall you are greeted by inviting people.  Your mind is immediately introduced visually and audibly to the promises that are laid out for you.  Examples of the “faith” crowd the windows inviting potential disciples to be just like them.  Mercy is extended to indebtedness so that everyone can participate. What is presented is their form of the good life.  This is how you and your family can flourish.  Like the local church, the more you participate, the more your heart is transformed into a cultural worshipper. 

Dr. Smith understands Paul to see us as creatures pursuing love. The prominent notion is that "you are what you think;" but Smith argues that Paul believed that we "are what we love."  "More specifically, our identity is shaped by what we ultimately love or what we love as ultimate— what, at the end of the day, gives us a sense of meaning, purpose, understanding, and orientation to our being-in-the-world."[2]    

Christians “are in the world”^[3], that is true.  But what Christians need to be mindful of is that as we live in the world, as we watch television, as we enter shops and malls and as we are plummeted by this cultural liturgy, we need to stop and think: I am now engaging with the values and purposes of a “religion” that wants my heart.   The moment you step out of your car and hear the sounds of “Christmas Bells”; the moment you approach the doors of this “sanctuary”, you are entering a “temple” that is actively engaged in capturing your heart.

Heavenly Father we owe no man worship but you.  Your grace and mercy that has snatched us from a world of pain and destruction has left a huge debt – a debt that can only be paid by going deeper into debt.  So Lord we pray that You would let ,  Thy goodness, like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee ,

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it seal it for Thy courts above.

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[1] What Dr. Smith means by "secular liturgies" is important. He argues that our whole marketing system via various forms of media is fashioned to grab our hearts.  Of course as Christians we know these things don't satisfy. In further questioning Dr. Smith clarifies that he views even the secular world as "religious" – calling us to worship something or someone other than God.  But for sake of distinction he names these "secular liturgies."

[2] Smith, James K. A. (2009-08-01). Desiring the Kingdom (Cultural Liturgies): Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (pp. 26-27). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 17:11). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.