I want to tread carefully in this post because I am sure to offend some people, which is not my intention. I have been thinking about writing a post on worship music for a long time and never really could settle on how to proceed. This morning as I was listening to Kristin Getty sing The Power of the Cross, I thought maybe today would be a good day. Before I proceed, let me offer a disclaimer.
First, I like modern praise and worship music. I attend a church that sings primarily recent praise songs and I belt them out at the top of my lungs. I was even a worship leader at our church for quite a while and at my previous church. I am not someone who scoffs at the music we sing because frankly, I love it and it allows me to worship God in song. In fact, I am not going to single out any specific worship songs that I dislike because that is not the point.
However...many modern songs lack theological depth. Many praise songs that are now written are emotionally engaging, but cognitively weak. I believe that we are to love God not only with our hearts, but also with our minds. I also believe that our song choices should be influenced by not just what makes us feel warm and tingly, but which takes our view of God to greater heights.
The Young Blimeycow gets it about right in this post on "How to Write a Worship Song"
So, what are examples of songs that are theologically rich and engage both the mind and the heart? Certainly, In Christ Alone by the Getty's is a classic example. Almost no one believes it was written just 12 years ago because it sounds like an old hymn.
How about the song I mentioned above--the Power of the Cross?
What are some songs, old or new, that you think express deep theological depth?
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
16 January 2014
How Great Thou Art
There was a long time when I could not listen to this song without tearing up because it reminds me so much of my beloved grandma Laura. I still vividly remember the sheet music sitting on her organ in what is now my mom's dining area. May your heart be lifted high today.
23 December 2013
09 September 2013
22 November 2012
Wedding Day by Casting Crowns
I have a number of songs that blow me away. They bring tears to my eyes as I bask in the knowledge of God's grace and mercy. A few weeks ago, I bought Come to the Well, but Casting Crowns and track 8 is called "Wedding Day." I have listened to this song again and again as I reflect on how God sees me. Amazing.
There’s a stirring in the throne room
And all creation holds its breath
Waiting now to see the Bridegroom
Wondering how the bride will dress
And she wears white
And she knows that she’s undeserving
She bears the shame of history
But this worn and weary maiden
Is not the bride that He sees
She wears white head to toe
But only He could make it so
(Think about this verse. This is a remarkable reflection of grace! Each of us bears the shame of our own history. We are unworthy, worn, and wary, but we are clothed in Christ's perfect righteousness).
When someone dries your tears
When someone wins your heart
And says you’re beautiful
When you don’t know you are
When all you long to see
Is written on His face
Love has come and finally set you free
On that wedding day
On that wedding day
She has danced in golden castles
She has crawled through beggar’s dust
But today she stands before Him
And she wears His righteousness
She will be who He adores
This is what He made her for
(Again, think about this. When we stand before Christ, we will wear his righteousness and we are adored!).
When the hand that bears the only scars
In Heaven touch her face
And the last tears she’ll ever cry
Are finally wiped away
And the clouds roll back as He takes her hand
And walks her through the gates
Forever we will reign
(This final verse has amazing imagery. Jesus' hands will bear the only scars in heaven. By his wounds we are completely healed.)
There’s a stirring in the throne room
And all creation holds its breath
Waiting now to see the Bridegroom
Wondering how the bride will dress
And she wears white
And she knows that she’s undeserving
She bears the shame of history
But this worn and weary maiden
Is not the bride that He sees
She wears white head to toe
But only He could make it so
(Think about this verse. This is a remarkable reflection of grace! Each of us bears the shame of our own history. We are unworthy, worn, and wary, but we are clothed in Christ's perfect righteousness).
When someone dries your tears
When someone wins your heart
And says you’re beautiful
When you don’t know you are
When all you long to see
Is written on His face
Love has come and finally set you free
On that wedding day
On that wedding day
She has danced in golden castles
She has crawled through beggar’s dust
But today she stands before Him
And she wears His righteousness
She will be who He adores
This is what He made her for
(Again, think about this. When we stand before Christ, we will wear his righteousness and we are adored!).
When the hand that bears the only scars
In Heaven touch her face
And the last tears she’ll ever cry
Are finally wiped away
And the clouds roll back as He takes her hand
And walks her through the gates
Forever we will reign
(This final verse has amazing imagery. Jesus' hands will bear the only scars in heaven. By his wounds we are completely healed.)
13 March 2012
Sing like you mean it
Why do people, particularly men, walk out of the sanctuary when the music begins? Why do they sing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs in a half-hearted way if they sing at all? Where is their passion for their Savior?
I have been thinking about these questions lately and privately lamenting the disregard for corporate singing that I see among today's churchmen. In our church, we open the service with a few songs. People mingle in the lobby, visiting about the weeks events, or what they are doing that afternoon or something else, neglecting the opportunity to offer praise to God. As the service draws to a close, we sing again. Too often, people--particularly the men--head for the lobby again. Sometimes to retrieve children, sometimes to relieve themselves. Yet few return to sing.
I suspect part of the reason for this is a tendency to view church in an entertainment framework. People see themselves coming to church to be entertained. Their is a failure to see their active roles in corporate worship. The music is not entertainment, nor a warm-up for the sermon. It is an integral part of the church service. It is worship offered to the "immortal, invisible, God only wise." I would like to see our men lead in this regard--to see them sing boldly to the God whom they profess to love.
There was an article posted at The Blazing Center today that was a balm for me. The author, Keith McCracken, writes of his father's passion for singing hymns, loudly, in and out of the church. He writes, "Though I hold many cherished memories of him, perhaps the most vivid was his excitement over singing certain hymns. By all accounts he possessed at best an 'average' voice when it comes to uniqueness and tonal quality. But he sang his favorites with a conviction that was beyond convincing and was by far one of the loudest and most joyful voices in a congregation of approximately 350. I remember looking up at him and 'checking him out' while he was singing… 'Is he for real?' I would wonder. When he would catch me looking at him he would simply 'lock-eyes' with me and sing all the louder while he broadened his grin to match proportion with his pleasure." This had a lasting impact upon McCracken and I would commend the whole article to you.
Dad's, don't minimize the impact you have upon your children's faith. They need to see you loving God in many ways. They need to see that Christ is of preeminent importance to you. Set aside your embarrassment, your distraction, and "sing like you mean it."
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.--1 Chronicles 15:16
I have been thinking about these questions lately and privately lamenting the disregard for corporate singing that I see among today's churchmen. In our church, we open the service with a few songs. People mingle in the lobby, visiting about the weeks events, or what they are doing that afternoon or something else, neglecting the opportunity to offer praise to God. As the service draws to a close, we sing again. Too often, people--particularly the men--head for the lobby again. Sometimes to retrieve children, sometimes to relieve themselves. Yet few return to sing.
I suspect part of the reason for this is a tendency to view church in an entertainment framework. People see themselves coming to church to be entertained. Their is a failure to see their active roles in corporate worship. The music is not entertainment, nor a warm-up for the sermon. It is an integral part of the church service. It is worship offered to the "immortal, invisible, God only wise." I would like to see our men lead in this regard--to see them sing boldly to the God whom they profess to love.
There was an article posted at The Blazing Center today that was a balm for me. The author, Keith McCracken, writes of his father's passion for singing hymns, loudly, in and out of the church. He writes, "Though I hold many cherished memories of him, perhaps the most vivid was his excitement over singing certain hymns. By all accounts he possessed at best an 'average' voice when it comes to uniqueness and tonal quality. But he sang his favorites with a conviction that was beyond convincing and was by far one of the loudest and most joyful voices in a congregation of approximately 350. I remember looking up at him and 'checking him out' while he was singing… 'Is he for real?' I would wonder. When he would catch me looking at him he would simply 'lock-eyes' with me and sing all the louder while he broadened his grin to match proportion with his pleasure." This had a lasting impact upon McCracken and I would commend the whole article to you.
Dad's, don't minimize the impact you have upon your children's faith. They need to see you loving God in many ways. They need to see that Christ is of preeminent importance to you. Set aside your embarrassment, your distraction, and "sing like you mean it."
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.--1 Chronicles 15:16
08 November 2010
Exchanging the Mundane for Glorious
On October 30th, the Opera Company of Philadelphia showed up at Macy's in Philadelphia with 650 choristers and the worlds largest pipe organ for a pop-up version of the Hallelujah Chorus. This brought tears to my eyes, as Handel's Messiah so often does. Sadly, in our world of mundane lyrics and even poorer music, I fear that many people have never heard this glorious piece of music. Kudos to the OCP for trying to bring a little culture to the people of Philadelphia. Should we all be so lucky.
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