Is the 1888 liturgy, revived by the Reclaim hymnal,
a good model for today?
From the Reclaim hymnal, pp.18-19:
Confession:
P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sin to God our Father, imploring him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Response: Who made heaven and earth.
I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.
R: And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
P: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess to you, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against you by thought, word, and deed. Therefore we flee for refuge to your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring your grace, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Most merciful God, you have given your only Son to die for us. Have mercy upon us, and for his sake grant us remission of all our sins. By your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of you and of your will, and true obedience1 to your Word, that by your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Absolution:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy on you, and has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. Scripture declares: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not, shall not see life. Therefore God continues to call the unbelieving to turn from their impenitence while it is day, and come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. For to all who receive him and who believe in his name, he gives power to become children of God, and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. All who believe2 and are baptized will be saved. (or)
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy on you and has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To all who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become children of God and bestows on you his Holy Spirit. On the other hand, I declare to the impenitent and unbelieving, that so long as you continue in your impenitence, God has not forgiven your sins, and will surely visit your iniquities upon you if you do not turn from your sinful ways and come to repentance and faith in Christ3 before the day of grace is ended.
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1 Issue #1: A “growth-in-holiness” view of Christian life? No, it’s a total exchange.
2 Issue #2: Believer has free will to repent? No, The Holy Spirit creates faith.
3 Issue #3: Clergy have power to bind and loose? No, the Word.