This quote by Alister E. McGrath highlights the profound connection between worship practices and cognitive frameworks. Worship, as an expression of belief and values, acts as a formative experience that shapes individuals' perceptions and thoughts. Changing how people worship goes beyond superficial rituals; it fundamentally shifts the internal landscape of meaning and understanding. When worship evolves, it reorients individuals’ priorities, reference points, and emotional investments, leading to a transformation in worldview and reasoning.

From the perspective of Reformation Thought, which McGrath deeply explores, the nature of worship was a central issue. Reformers argued that changing worship—from ritualistic or tradition-bound forms to ones based more directly on scripture and personal faith—could catalyze major intellectual and societal shifts. This quote reminds us that presenting new ideas alone may have limited impact if the underlying worship or value system remains unchanged. Worship is both a public and private channel through which people adopt new mental frameworks.

Therefore, the manipulation or reform of worship practices can serve as a potent vehicle for intellectual and cultural change. It influences what people find meaningful, how they interpret their experiences, and which principles guide their decisions. Understanding this relationship deepens our appreciation of religious and social reforms throughout history and today’s attempts to engage societal transformation. Ultimately, McGrath’s insight suggests that authentic change often requires a holistic approach that includes altering how people connect spiritually and symbolically, not just what they think in the abstract.