Clarification
Though no comments have been posted on my blog about modern worship music, I did receive 2 comments via IM that showed there was perhaps a lack of communication on my part as far as getting my intent across. When I stated that those songs were lacking in theological significance, there was actually a different reason for each song. The first song is the worst because it takes scriptural references ("great is your name in all the nations") and turns them into pop icon status ("great is your fame..."). The second is lacking because it lacks any reference to Christianity at all.
No, not all Christian songs need to be overtly theological--I never meant to suggest that each song/hymn/etc must be packed with as many scripture lines, holy references, and so on as they possibly can. My point isn't that "In the Secret" is a bad song, it's that it's being used as a worship song in place of hymns, psalms, and scripture at many of today's worship services. When all of the religious context is taken out of worship so that worship seems "cool" and "modern", what separates it from a concert? If you can't learn what your people believe at church, then where do you learn it? If we replace God with pop culture, what does that say for our present and our future?
It is one thing for songs with positive, clean, non-religious messages to be played on Christian radio. In that case, the songs are amongst other clean and uplifting songs that help one live a more Christ-centered life by simply removing the trash that plagues much of today's music . It is another thing, however, when there aren't those other songs present to place the music in context.
In a Catholic mass, liturgical music has a great deal of structure and purpose. There are very clear, specific guidelines as to what is and isn't allowed for liturgical music. This helps make sure that false theology isn't taught, that true theology comes across clearly, that worship remains sacred and solemn, and that the music doesn't distract one from the mass, but enhances his/her worship experience in a deep way. The lack of rules in today's Protestant religions when it comes to many things, including what music is allowed in church is causing theology to be fast and loose. This is exactly why the LCMS had a variety of people (one of which was a professor of mine) meet to discuss each and every piece of music that was to be published in the new Lutheran Service Book (the Lutheran hymnal for the Missouri Synod). New music was introduced, old music that had messages counter to what Lutherans teach was cut from the previous hymnal, songs that were too difficult to sing and caused one to lose focus of the service were cut, and so on. The board went through every stanza of every song to make sure that an appropriate message was being sent, not just a "nice" one or a "popular" one.
Unfortunately, you don't see this kind of attention in the thousands of versions of Protestantism that have been created in the past five centuries, especially in those from the past fifty years. Young men and women are getting fun and entertaining experiences, but they may be void of any real depth. I leave you with this today...is the purpose/intent of worship to make you feel good or to bring you closer to Christ with solid teachings and practices? If it is the former, doesn't that mean that the focus of worship is you (I want God to make me happy) rather than God (I want to serve God and make Him happy)?
Blessings,
Stephen
posted by Steve at 3:53 PM
