The "worship wars" were never resolved. Instead, both sides kind of agreed to disagree and proponents of both sides learned to co-exist. (But you know your side is right and the other side is wrong, right?) With this book, Ronald Byars argues that many of the differences between traditional and contemporary worship are merely superficial. Authentic, theocentric worship, he claims, can be and must be both grounded in history AND responsive to contemporary culture. He points out the weaknesses and strengths of both styles, calls congregations to worry less about pleasing members and more about developing worship that is biblical, honors our communion with the saints, and takes seriously the way culture is reshaping us. He concludes with a description of an authentic, postmodern worship service.

Ronald Byars is a veteran pastor and professor of preaching and worship at Union-PSCE in Richmond, Virginia.