Matthew Henry

Jong Hun Joo offers a model of how both solid biblical understanding and effective practice of worship can be realized in churches today by exploring the theology and practice of Matthew Henry (1662-1714). Matthew Henry is one of the most famous biblical commentators in the English-speaking world. However, Henry was also a pastor who was liturgical in negotiating the political and religious landmines of his day. This all but overlooked aspect of Henry's biography and writings is both a window into his life and times and an insightful view into the pastoral dimensions of Christian rituals and practices in the home and church. Joo discerns how Henry understood and practiced English Presbyterian worship as an example of Reformed worship in his context and, further, based on the principles found in Henry's writings and practices, Joo suggests how contemporary churches can appropriately develop and articulate their own worship in their own contexts. In so doing he makes a case for worship renewal.