Thanks for commenting here. I imagine that, being in a cultural setting so different from the US, you guys are experiencing every Sunday the reality of how diversity among God’s people yields diversity in worship services. I wonder if Calvin could respond to your concerns by saying, for example, that the language and the melodies of Psalm-singing would be peculiar to each culture while the content remains the same. He was, after all, already in his time engaged in cross-cultural considerations by trying to look at NT ecclesial practices and map out how to appropriate them centuries later and in places like Switzerland and France. I suppose I’m playing devil’s advocate a bit and suggesting that congregations in diverse areas might be ‘free’ in certain ways and yet abide by Calvin’s theological principles, especially since freedom in worship by itself is a really pliable concept that invites filling out and requires some theological constraints. If you’ve got time, I’d be curious to hear your response.

Steve