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Recommended Reading: Five Books for Recovering Biblical Worship
By Dave Jenkins
Theology for Life Magazine — October 2026
Clarity in Worship: Beholding the Glory of God with Understanding
A strong way to close this issue is with a recommended-reading section that helps readers move from understanding biblical worship to studying it more deeply.
These five books approach worship from complementary perspectives: the authority of Scripture, the gathered church, the glory of Jesus Christ, congregational singing, and the practical responsibilities of worship leaders.
The goal is not simply to recommend books about church services. It is to encourage Christians to think carefully about the God they worship, the gospel that gives them access to Him, and the biblical principles that should govern their praise.
1. Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship
Edited by Philip Graham Ryken, J. Ligon Duncan III, and Derek W. H. Thomas
This substantial collection of essays examines the biblical foundations of worship, its essential elements, and the relationship between worship, history, and culture. It is especially useful for pastors, elders, and readers who want to understand historic Reformed convictions about worship.
Why I recommend it: It helps readers evaluate worship according to Scripture rather than personal preference.
2. What Happens When We Worship
By Jonathan Landry Cruse
This accessible treatment of corporate worship helps readers consider what God is doing as His people gather. Rather than treating the worship service as a religious performance, it encourages Christians to think seriously about the biblical meaning of congregational worship.
Why I recommend it: It is a useful starting point for ordinary church members who want to participate in Lord’s Day worship with greater understanding.
3. Rejoicing in Christ
By Michael Reeves
Reeves directs readers toward the beauty, glory, and saving work of Jesus Christ. This is not primarily a manual on arranging worship services; its strength is helping Christians understand why Christ Himself is worthy of their love and praise.
Why I recommend it: Worship should flow from knowing and rejoicing in the Savior, not merely from following a particular form of service.
4. Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God
By Bob Kauflin
Kauflin addresses the theology and practice of leading congregational singing, including the relationship between doctrine, music, leadership, and the spiritual good of the church.
Why I recommend it: Worship leaders and musicians need more than technical skill. They need biblical convictions, theological discernment, humility, and a commitment to serving the congregation.
5. A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship
By Michael Horton
Horton challenges worship approaches that place human experience at the center. He emphasizes God’s action in redemption, the ministry of the Word, and the ordinances as central to understanding gathered worship.
Why I recommend it: It offers a theological corrective to entertainment-driven worship and helps readers see why Christ, rather than the worshiper, must remain central.
Closing Recommendation
These books work particularly well together because they remind readers that worship is about God before it is about us.
For readers new to the subject, I would begin with What Happens When We Worship. For pastors and elders, Give Praise to God provides a more substantial theological treatment. For musicians and those leading congregational singing, Worship Matters offers practical guidance, although readers should evaluate its continuationist assumptions according to their own biblical convictions.
Above all, these resources should drive readers back to Scripture and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Books can deepen our understanding of biblical worship, but they can never replace the authority of God’s Word.
The goal of studying worship is not merely to become more informed about worship practices. It is to know the Lord more deeply, worship Him more faithfully, and give Him the glory He alone deserves.
Clarity in Worship: Beholding the Glory of God with Understanding
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
