“Christians have devoted much effort to understanding the typological and theological significance of the Mosaic tabernacle and the temple of Solomon, but comparatively little effort has been expended on study of the liturgical situation in the time of David or its implications for Christian worship” (Peter J. Leithart, From Silence to Song, p. 13).
On my last visit to the in-laws I discovered this book on an end table. The subtitle proved interesting enough (The Davidic Liturgical Revolution), so I indulged myself and read a few pages between fishing for salmon on the Grand River and dinner.
Dr Leithart examines when King David placed the Ark in a tent in Jerusalem while the Mosaic tabernacle continued to reside, Ark-less that is, in Gibeon (the Ark and tabernacle furnishings are eventually reunited in Solomon’s temple). David had a Super Bowl style party for the Ark’s entrance into Jerusalem; singing, dancing, the whole shebang.
Under the reign of King David there is a liturgical revolution due to a new application of the Mosaic religious procedures – Leithart discusses how Israel originally would have stood silently in worship before their sacrifices to God, but under the Davidic liturgical revolution singing and even instrumentation are incorporated in their understanding of worship. Thus, the title From Silence to Song.
I find books covering such topics interesting. First, it is interesting because it reaffirms that doctrinal development is not a contradiction of Orthodoxy. Second, it edifies both the Believer and the Body. (For example, the Holy Spirit speaks uniquely and univocally to the Believer(s) (in that it is a sole example and solitary in type), and in light of the experience, a Believer(s) speaks to and edifies the Body, who in response edify the Believer (s). We witness Grace twain; a two-fold blessing from God.)
1) Do you believe God blesses his Church with creative and expansive applications of the Scriptures?
2) If so, can you cite some examples?
3) Also, what does that mean for us as believers 1) personally and 2) collectively?