The problem with "Christian" music today

[ImaginaryDay2]

We are encouraged to rejoice but I'm not sure that gathering in a church building to sing "happy happy, joy joy, Jesus Jesus, woo!" is really what the writer had in mind.

You need to market that. It'd make millions. I'll call Hillsong.

 

[tango]

You need to market that. It'd make millions. I'll call Hillsong.

It might be too theologically deep for Hillsong.

 

[Andrew]

We are encouraged to rejoice but I'm not sure that gathering in a church building to sing "happy happy, joy joy, Jesus Jesus, woo!" is really what the writer had in mind.

Well for those involved they are expressing their joy in the Spirit. As an onlooker you may say they are silly or ignorant, you may even feel humility for them but they however don't care much what you think nor can they for in that moment they are solely focused on the Lord.. they are in the spirit, eyes closed and arms spread and lifted up and its not just because it's such a catchy tune, they are concentrated on the Lord and are rejoicing.
I mean I have never heard a song that was so good it made me close my eyes and smile with my arms raised and head lifted towards the heaven.
"Oh Happy Day!! When Jesus washed my sins away!!" amen!

 

[Albion]

they are in the spirit, eyes closed and arms spread and lifted up and its not just because it's such a catchy tune, they are concentrated on the Lord and are rejoicing.
I mean I have never heard a song that was so good it made me close my eyes and smile with my arms raised and head lifted towards the heaven.

If our churches told us that such was what we are supposed to do--and that we are not real Christians if we don't--I am sure that we would lift our arms and look starry eyed,too--right on cue.

 

[Andrew]

If our churches told us that such was what we are supposed to do--and that we are not real Christians if we don't--I am sure that we would lift our arms and look starry eyed,too--right on cue.

lol im not agreeing or disagreeing with the way some churches choose to worship, it's not contradicting and the bible doesn't say that rejoicing is wrong nor does it give us an example of what rejoicing looks like.
Yes I left the Pentecostal church because I found it difficult to rejoice on cue just because the pastor fires up the piano, not only that but 3 times a week, if I wasn't getting involved than I was spiritually weak.
At first yes I was rejoicing in the Spirit because I felt free for the first time in my life and it was heart filled and I am sure that the Angels rejoiced with me, but after a month I felt that I was just entertaining others so new people will be like "look at that guy, he has faith" and I caught on very quickly that it no longer was pleasing to the Lord and myself to 'pretend' for others, even tho -like I said -at one time before I was very caught up in the Spirit rather than the moment and it was a celebration.
You can't extend that for others to see, no one should have ever been focused on me anyway.
You can't convert people by mesmerizing them but for the record I rejoiced when I found the Lord and expressed it publicly, now I rejoice inwardly and no one has to see it

 

[psalms 91]

I bellieve David put away a wife because she didnt like him dancing for the Lord so I think that might be a lesson for us about this.

 

[Andrew]

I bellieve David put away a wife because she didnt like him dancing for the Lord so I think that might be a lesson for us about this.

Good call, we should feel free to rejoice with the Lord and not have it be some spectacle for shaming by others.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

 

[Josiah]

I'M not praising or condemning a certain style.... and I'm not suggesting some "joyous praise" is inappropriate (hey, read the Psalms). And generalities are always inappropriate (including that one).

BUT.... I do agree.... way too much of "Contemporary" and/or "Praise" music is too empty of content, too emotional and not enough teaching, often about self rather than Jesus, often about feelings rather than Law and Gospel. In some cases, I even wonder how it's specifically Christian. This can be said of some traditional songs, too ("In the Garden" oh my) but it's often true of these pop songs. I think the opening video (while SATIRE!) has a very valid point. And it's reason I don't participate in such "contemporary" services (that and the liturgy ususally gets dumped right along with everything else).



.

 

[Josiah]

SOME of this started in Catholicism .... back in the 1950's and 6os', lasting a bit into the -70s. iI was "FOLK Christian music" accompanied by a guitar, in a very "folk" style (think Peter, Paul and Mary). SOME of it was used in Catholic worship. But this was generally excellent - very good lyrics, solidly Christian, just sung in a very "folksy" easy style accompanied by the guitar.

What sprang up in Protestantism after that - this stuff often called "praise" or "contemporary" music - with a band ( the LOUDER the better) - is a whole other enchilada.

 

[JPPT1974]

When it comes down to it, it is all about Christ, not us. And it is all about really meaning the lyrics. Really there is a large variety from Christian contemporary music to Southern Gospel to Hymns. Sharing in one thing and one reason...Jesus!

 

[MennoSota]

Thank you!

It's good to remember that not all "Contemporary" songs stink (just like not all Traditional ones are good). To ME, the "issue" is not so much musical style (although I do like to able to sing the thing together as a congregation) but the lyrics. I've never heard of this song, but the lyrics are excellent!

Yeah... don't get me started on that fluffy hymn, "I Come To The Garden Alone." My goodness, the Arminians have been writing bad songs for 500 years.

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

It might be too theologically deep for Hillsong.

Just throw in something about lakes of living oceans streaming water or whatever. It'll work

 

[tango]

Well for those involved they are expressing their joy in the Spirit. As an onlooker you may say they are silly or ignorant, you may even feel humility for them but they however don't care much what you think nor can they for in that moment they are solely focused on the Lord.. they are in the spirit, eyes closed and arms spread and lifted up and its not just because it's such a catchy tune, they are concentrated on the Lord and are rejoicing.
I mean I have never heard a song that was so good it made me close my eyes and smile with my arms raised and head lifted towards the heaven.
"Oh Happy Day!! When Jesus washed my sins away!!" amen!

But there's a big difference between someone who is rejoicing because at that moment that are very close to God, and a congregation singing "happy happy, joy joy" because the service leader stood up and announced that we're now going to sing a song. It's also debatable just how many people are actually experiencing being close to God when their activities are so predictable. If you can literally stand among the congregation and think "3.... 2.... 1.... go" and with that all the hands go up, chances are it's an emotional response to the music rather than a spiritual response.

To me it's like the difference between buying my wife a bunch of flowers because I want to surprise her and see her face light up when she sees them, and buying my wife a bunch of flowers because it's February 14 and social convention dictates that flowers are bought.

You are perfectly correct in that we should rejoice in the Lord, and that there will be times when we are moved by the Spirit. The trouble is that in a number of church services it's as if they try to manufacture a "move of God". When some of the more charismatic churches see people with their arms raised before the first bar of music has even finished, and wonder if people are OK because they haven't raised their hands, is it any wonder that a large component of "monkey see, monkey do" takes over and people just do what is expected by man?

 

[tango]

lol im not agreeing or disagreeing with the way some churches choose to worship, it's not contradicting and the bible doesn't say that rejoicing is wrong nor does it give us an example of what rejoicing looks like.
Yes I left the Pentecostal church because I found it difficult to rejoice on cue just because the pastor fires up the piano, not only that but 3 times a week, if I wasn't getting involved than I was spiritually weak.
At first yes I was rejoicing in the Spirit because I felt free for the first time in my life and it was heart filled and I am sure that the Angels rejoiced with me, but after a month I felt that I was just entertaining others so new people will be like "look at that guy, he has faith" and I caught on very quickly that it no longer was pleasing to the Lord and myself to 'pretend' for others, even tho -like I said -at one time before I was very caught up in the Spirit rather than the moment and it was a celebration.
You can't extend that for others to see, no one should have ever been focused on me anyway.
You can't convert people by mesmerizing them but for the record I rejoiced when I found the Lord and expressed it publicly, now I rejoice inwardly and no one has to see it

You've hit on the exact problem there. You're not saying something is wrong (and you're right, it isn't wrong) but then pick up on the way churches come to expect it of people and at that point it does become a problem. If our "rejoicing in the Lord" is done because it is expected by man we've lost the plot. If we're doing something as a performance for others it becomes about us and not about God. It bothers me when churches have an area at the front and invite people to go forward to dance if they want to, because it's easy to see how people could be tempted to go forward as an act of show. I'd put the area at the back so that if you're wanting the attention of others present you won't bother. If you're truly dancing for God you won't care if nobody else can see you.

 

[MennoSota]

Contemporary Song: Behold Our God
[Verse 1]
Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

[Chorus]
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King, nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him

[Verse 2]
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His Words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

[Chorus]
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King, nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him

[Verse 3]
Who has felt the nails upon His hands
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior risen now to reign

There are good contemporary songs.

 

[MennoSota]

Contemporary Song: O Great God
VERSE 1
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

VERSE 2
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

VERSE 3
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

 

[MennoSota]

Contemporary Song: Oh Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer
O LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER LYRICS

[Verse 1]
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Greatest treasure of my longing soul
My God, like You there is no other
True delight is found in You alone
Your grace, a well too deep to fathom
Your love exceeds the heavens' reach
Your truth, a fount of perfect wisdom
My highest good and my unending need

[Verse 2]
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Strong defender of my weary heart
My sword to fight the cruel deceiver
And my shield against his hateful darts
My song when enemies surround me
My hope when tides of sorrow rise
My joy when trials are abounding
Your faithfulness, my refuge in the night

[Verse 3]
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Gracious Savior of my ruined life
My guilt and cross laid on Your shoulders
In my place, You suffered bled and died
You rose, the grave and death are conquered
You broke my bonds of sin and shame
You rose, the grave and death are conquered
You broke my bonds of sin and shame

 

[tango]

Yeah... don't get me started on that fluffy hymn, "I Come To The Garden Alone." My goodness, the Arminians have been writing bad songs for 500 years.

... while Calvinists were predestined to do things differently?

 

[Albion]

Another Contemporary song/hymn. What God is being described or addressed?

So here I go again, again
I let myself get spread so thin
But I can see right through my skin
And I don't like what I'm finding in my heart

So many different voices call
And I try hard to please them all
I run in circles 'til I fall
So I'm falling on my knees and praying

Please, Please, Please only You, only You
Please, Please, Please take my heart, and make it true
Let everything I say and everything I do
Please, please only you
Please only you

For every moment of my time
For every thought that fills my mind
For every melody and rhyme
This is the prayer that I'll be praying

Please, Please, Please only You, only You
Please, Please, Please take my heart, and make it true
Let everything I say and everything I do

This is what it means to be
The reason why I live and breathe
To know that I am totally existing for Your pleasure

I'm still learning but I know
As this becomes my only goal
The more I find my heart and soul is filled up with joy when I

I please only you
I please only you
Please only you

 

[MennoSota]

... while Calvinists were predestined to do things differently?

Not just Calvinists. Luther penned some mighty fine lyrics.
It's just those narcissistic Arminians... it's about me, me, me...that get into the fluff and stuff.