Let me begin by being very vulnerable. In the late 90s, after nearly 30 years of following the Lord, I opened myself up to serious sinful behavior, which (quite frankly) I enjoyed. Eventually, I recognized that I would have to choose between pursuing that sin or following Jesus. I knew it was an either/or proposition because singing contemporary praise songs during church always filled me with an awareness of my separation from the Lord.
You see, I had always loved praise music. At that point in time, I considered praise to be more important on Sunday mornings than the preaching of God's Word. (Obviously, many things in my life needed major adjustments.) So during that time of rebellion, I couldn't enjoy the aspect of life (singing praise songs) that I'd treasured the most!
In short, the Lord restored me to Himself through contemporary praise music. Of course, I'm oversimplifying the story, but I do believe music played a pivotal role in my repentance. So I do believe the Holy Spirit uses such music.
As I've gone on with the Lord from that point in my life, however, I find myself growing less comfortable with praise music. I've noticed its lack of sound doctrinal foundation, and that lack troubles me. My discomfort found confirmation a little over a week ago, when I read Style or Substance by John MacArthur. I strongly encourage you to read this article, as well as the chapter on music in the book, Fool's Gold. Both articles will challenge your thinking, certainly. But challenge is healthy!
As I ponder present day Christianity's emphasis on experience over doctrine, I find myself wondering if praise music hasn't contributed to this deterioration. As MacArthur points out, hymns were originally written to teach God's Word.
How much theology is in, for instance, I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever as compared with Holy, Holy, Holy? Both are beautiful, I'll agree, but Holy. Holy, Holy offers such a deeper picture of our majestic, Triune God! That hymn fills me with reverent wonder at His holiness..."Though the eye of sinful man/ Thy glory may not see." That couplet alone offers hours of meditation on the doctrine of human sinfulness as well as God's glory and holiness!
Col 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
NKJV
I'm still processing my thoughts on Christian music, but I'm growing less enamored with much of the milky praise music. I'm hungry for the meat of hymns!
4 comments:
Good post, DebbieLynne. I heartily agree, and I would add that most praise choruses focus on self rather than on the Lord (*I* could sing of Your love forever).
DebbieLynne... I always apreciate your desire and willingness to speak the truth as you study the wonders of God's Word. I am also grateful for your tact and gentleness. Your are so passionate and I know it's hard not to SCREAM what you believe!!! :)
Thank you for writing this blog. I agree. And being one who also has a deep appreciation for worship music, it is great food for thought as I lift up my voice.
Hello, I have just read this post with interest. For over 30 years I've had an burden to find, and then, write songs to encapture doctrine and explanation and application, first for my children, and then as a means of remembering helpful preaching and Bible study.
I've been sorting it all out recently on a blog rhiannonshymns.co.uk I find that most people I contact are either satisfied to sift around amongst what has been written recently, or are totally satisfied that no new hymn writing is necessary. My desire is to stimulate Bible study with these 'notes' and songs of what I have been priviledged to hear!
warm regards, Rhiannon Weber
Hi DebbieLynne. I'm a firm believer that you get out of something what you put in. Praise music is a good example. If what you're looking to get out of it is entertainment, then you're looking in the wrong place. Offering praise to God, whether in prayer or music, or even in silence, is all about where your heart is.
At Brookville, we changed the name of the music team from "Worship Team" to "Praise Team", as our lives should be devoted to worship 24/7. It's a way of life. Our praise is something we do. But if our focus sin't on the One we worship, then our praise will come up short.
I agree that lyrics in many of the praise songs today have nothing in common with hymns. Some, like many of the Casting Crowns early songs, address struggles that many of us face, including those that are searching for answers and yet may not have established their relationship with the Lord. However, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, through words of songs that may even seem secular in nature, can bring souls out of despair and into the light of God's presence. And thankfully, God knows all these things and uses even secular songs to speak to His people.
I pray before we even start our praiwe music that hearts would be right with God and that He'll use both the music and the message to encourage and speak to every heart through the power of His Holy Spirit. There are times when even the hymns can seem stale, depending on where our heart is. If we're focused on ourselves or our trials at the time we're supposed to be focused on Him, then the songs are just words, whether hymns or contemporary music.
Keep praying, and continuing to share your insights.
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