We do in fact say things like, “Oh, that kind of music, that kind of preaching, that kind of ceremony, isn’t pleasing to God.”

Now, I don’t want to sound disrespectful, but I’m not yet convinced that those of our number who argue this way have really heard a word from God about divine likes and dislikes.

I’m more easily convinced that such a view amounts to a subtle and unintentional form of psychological projection: I rather suspect that what they really mean is, “that kind of music, that kind of preaching, that kind of ceremony, isn’t pleasing to ME; it prevents me from worshiping, so surely it can’t be pleasing to God either.

Our arguments may claim to be about God, but they are more often about ourselves.

from The Worth of Worship