Can the Prophets Shed Light on Our Worship Wars? How Amos Evaluates Religious Ritual

Disagreements today about worship often are generated by limiting it to
“experiencing God.” This article proposes that worship recognize its role in
shaping Christian identity and preparing the people of God for its mission
in the world. Interpretive anthropology helps clarify the function of worship
and serves as an introduction to the prophetic perspective. The book of
Amos teaches that worship must be willing to question reigning ideologies,
deal with the realities of life, and nurture a commitment to justice.