Sure, I don’t mind tackling controversial topics every now and then.
And when it comes to worship music, I’m a little more willing than normal to dive into the controversial pond.
Why?
Because Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus:
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them … For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” (2 Timothy 4:3a; 1 Timothy 4:16a)
“[Hold] fast the faithful word as [you] hath been taught, that [you] may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:9)
“[Speak] thou the things which become sound doctrine:” (Titus 2:1)
And Jude wrote:
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
Therefore, I couldn’t help but laugh and say “AMEN!” when I watched the video below.
Folks, I love music of all kinds, but when it comes to worship music – the kind we sing in the “congregation” – the words should be weighty with meaning and do more than make us feel good; they should contain sound doctrine and be able to exhort and convince.
So, I think I can say that I agree with “Clint Eastwood” on this, but I especially like the way he says it.
Yet, I’ll try to avoid telling our Music Director, “Go ahead, punk, play Oceans.”
The Recovering Legalist 
I so agree. My husband and I were just talking about this a couple of days ago.
Some of the music is okay, but not quite there, where others, like those illustrated, are way off. The older hymns and some newer songs that were popular in the ’70s and ’80s carry a clear message and can be quite convicting.
Interesting video.
Blessings~
I like the way the guys at Lutheran Satire use humor to illustrate serious doctrinal issues. This video did a good job of contrasting lyrics, which is where the rubber meets the road.
I liked the video, too. I agree, I think it’s become so commonplace, people aren’t really paying attention to the words anymore.
Blessings~
This is truth unbound. People think I don’t like much of contemporary or ‘Gospel Rock’ because I am OLD. I think most of it when they say god, I wonder which god are they singing to. If they don’t specify, hmmm. We must be discerning. Ty for this. I had to reblog:))
Oh Anthony, how I love the topics you choose. I would like to invite you to read my article today about Jonah. As a pastor, I would like to know if I hit the nail on the head so to speak.
I think I would like to copy this and send it to our music director!
As with all things, I think there’s a balance to be found. Certainly we can’t just go with shallow praise songs all the time, but some are still rich with power or meaning. Neither should we forget what we’ve been given in hymns.
Heart is still the greatest issue for me – am I singing a song because it makes me feel good or is it a vehicle for encountering the God who actually meets all my needs? Similarly, am I criticizing the “seven-eleven” songs because I just don’t like that style or is it coming from a genuine concern for depth and meaning in what we sing?
I believe you, sir. I don’t always believe all the critics, because most of the time they come off hateful instead of helpful.
There are certainly some good “seven-eleven” songs out there, for sure. Truly, it all comes down to two basic umbrella-like points (under which the rest fall under): the Object of worship and the heart of worship. Who we worship, and the how and why.
For some reason I couldn’t hear the audio on my phone when I clicked the video in your blog. I finally heard their take on songs. It’s a bit frustrating. Here’s what I said on their video.
“Yawn.
Yes, there’s a point to what’s being said, and a lot of what passes for worship music can be just an emotional feel-good buzz instead of an encounter with God and the truth of His Word.
But I find it interesting that they’ll pick “Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord” and not “I am pressed but not crushed; persecuted, not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” from the same song, which comes straight from Scripture.
They’ll paraphrase (with questionable accuracy) Colossians 3:16 and ignore verse 17 – whatsoever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving glory to the Father. The heart of the worship matters just as much if not more than the words… because plenty of “Christians” have been singing hymns and praise songs throughout history without any sense of conviction or holiness in their lives.
Not every Psalm is a theological treatise. Some are just the psalmist pouring out his heart in praise, and if done with the right heart, some of these modern songs express the same emotions.
The problem I have with Wretched is that while I think they often make good points, they do so in a way that’s meant to rile people up and play off the controversy more than to actually minister or express love for those they disagree with, and this is another example.”
Like I said the first time, I think your heart is clearly one of concern and love for Jesus and for His people. I want to believe that of the folks at Wretched too, but they make it hard sometimes.
Excellent points.