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QUIZ: Contemporary Worship Song or Love Song?
ChurchPOP ^ | January 27, 2015 | ChurchPOP Editor

Posted on 01/28/2015 12:05:06 PM PST by millegan

Yes, yes, the Bible describes the relationship between Christ and the Church as a bridegroom and bride, and the Song of Songs is pretty explicit (and is traditionally interpreted as being about the relationship between Christ and the Church), but still – anyone else feel a bit awkward by this phenomenon?

(Excerpt) Read more at churchpop.com ...


TOPICS: Religion & Culture; Worship
KEYWORDS: ccm; lovesong; pimpmyblog; romantic; worshipsong
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To: millegan

Someone on this thread already pointed out that all church music was “contemporary” at one time. Some of the songs today will last, most others will not - but, that is true of most hymns/songs of any age in the past.

I don’t mind the style of the music so much as I do the theological content. If the lyrics have sound Christian doctrine, great. There has been a more recent resurgence of doctrinally sound and poetically pleasing song/hymn texts using contemporary sounds:

“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” (Matt Boswell)
“In Christ Alone” (Julian Getty and Stuart Townend)

for example. Check them out on youtube.


21 posted on 01/28/2015 1:22:09 PM PST by rusty schucklefurd
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To: millegan
Why is it that when the topic of church music comes up so many posters confuse personal preference with Divine guidance?

Silent Night was rejected at first because it was in German not Latin and accompanied by a guitar not an organ. Amazing Grace was rejected by some because it was put to the tune of a drinking song.

I love many of the old hymns; I like David Crowder and even some Christian rap. The message matters most.

22 posted on 01/28/2015 1:23:15 PM PST by fungoking (Tis a pleasure to live in the Ozarks)
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To: mountn man
30 years ago, when I was in my 20's, I was not fond of the old hymns. They were too old and stuffy for me.

Today I crave the old hymns. Not because they have changed, but because I have changed. I love the "meat" in the old songs. There is a depth there, that I don't find much in todays lyrics.

When you read the lyrics of songs written 100 years ago, or read the works of Spurgeon or Whitefield or Edwards, you realize that people back then were much, MUCH deeper thinkers, than we are today.

You might like God Be Merciful to Me, Hallelujah For The Cross, and a surprising number of DC Talk songs.

But yes, I do agree with you that a lot the old hymns have a great deal of theology packed into them — and I, too, find myself wishing for that depth-of-thought compared to many contemporary songs (especially the Jesus is my Boyfriend-style, as someone upthread termed it).

23 posted on 01/28/2015 1:23:16 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Resolute Conservative

Just as bad seeing people come to His house carrying coffee cups, wearing shorts, t-shorts with skulls or NoTW gothic crap, flip flops, tatted up, tight dresses, and wearing a ball cap in the sanctuary.
______________________________

Pharisee much?


24 posted on 01/28/2015 1:24:38 PM PST by fungoking (Tis a pleasure to live in the Ozarks)
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To: fungoking

No, just a level of respect due our Father. If it is the best you have then so be it, but modesty should be the rule. It is more a reflection on behavior. Chatting during sermon, texting each other, slurping espressos...


25 posted on 01/28/2015 1:28:22 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
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To: Resolute Conservative
Just as bad seeing people come to His house carrying coffee cups, wearing shorts, t-shorts with skulls or NoTW gothic crap, flip flops, tatted up, tight dresses, and wearing a ball cap in the sanctuary.

Somehow I think God might have a different take on it than you do.

(James 2:1-7)
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
If these are bad, wretched people it behooves us to remember that prostitutes and tax-collectors were far more receptive to Jesus than the religious elite.
26 posted on 01/28/2015 1:28:43 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: OneWingedShark

If you come seeking Him then okay, come as you are (like the song says), but the people I am referring to are there for the social activities and their behavior demonstrates it.


27 posted on 01/28/2015 1:32:14 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
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To: millegan

28 posted on 01/28/2015 1:40:56 PM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a preacher of the Gospel like Colonel Sanders is an Army officer.)
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To: mountn man

Even in the early days of my walk (in my twenties) I preferred the hymns of Isaac Watts, Wesley, and the like. But then I was raised on classical music.


29 posted on 01/28/2015 1:43:30 PM PST by Fred Hayek (The Democratic Party is now the operational arm of the CPUSA)
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To: Resolute Conservative
If you come seeking Him then okay, come as you are (like the song says), but the people I am referring to are there for the social activities and their behavior demonstrates it.

I get what you're saying; but, on the flip-side, there certainly is supposed to be a social component to the Church, if there wasn't then Paul's instructions to [essentially] excommunicate the guy living in sin (sleeping w/ his step-mom, IIRC) would have far less weight. Now, I'm not saying that the social aspect should be dominant, far from it (praising God for His work in/as/through Jesus and learning to know Him should be dominant).

I'm somewhat reminded of a story of an [essentially] militant feminist who attended church because of [IIRC] social obligation [i.e. dragged there by a friend/family] and the preacher was talking that day on wives submitting to their husbands. The person that brought her was mortified, thinking that that particular message would be an instant off but she replied something to the effect of if the man loved me like that [the husband's obligation in the same passage] I would. — So, I'm not quite ready to throw came for social reasons around as an intrinsically bad thing (even though I myself am typically highly asocial and don't value it as highly as others do) because God can and does still work in the world of men and can use their presence to teach them something.

30 posted on 01/28/2015 1:48:56 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Resolute Conservative
Chatting during sermon, texting each other, slurping espressos...

Have nothing to do with their attire.

31 posted on 01/28/2015 1:50:52 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: chajin

Well, to be fair, that song isn’t easily confused with a hormonal teenager lusting for her boyfriend.


32 posted on 01/28/2015 1:59:05 PM PST by ctdonath2 (Si vis pacem, para bellum.)
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To: Religion Moderator; Admin Moderator; Jim Robinson

OP has been a member since October and does nothing but post links to his own blog site.

He does not participate in any discussion elsewhere, or even on the threads he starts.

Waste of bandwidth.

Just sayin’.


33 posted on 01/28/2015 2:02:25 PM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a preacher of the Gospel like Colonel Sanders is an Army officer.)
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To: MNDude

Interesting dovetail to this thread.

http://mikelivingstone.com/2014/12/17/the-heresy-of-worshiptainment/


34 posted on 01/28/2015 2:03:04 PM PST by jagusafr (the American Trinity (Liberty, In G0D We Trust, E Pluribus Unum))
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To: fungoking

“Amazing Grace was rejected by some because it was put to the tune of a drinking song.”

References please! (It is easy to keep repeating what you hear, that doesn’t make it true.)

I do hope you understand the difference between a “bar tune” and a tavern song?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_form


35 posted on 01/28/2015 2:36:55 PM PST by hiho hiho
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

I notice.


36 posted on 01/28/2015 2:45:37 PM PST by Tax-chick ("It's always a longer trip when you defy God." ~ Msgr. Charles Pope)
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To: Tax-chick
You give me hope.

Some days I feel like the crazy gal standing on a soap box calling out to the people who pass by. And deep inside I know I am no longer trying to change them, I am trying to prevent them from changing me.

37 posted on 01/28/2015 3:01:00 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

Some people seem to think that choosing to sneer at another person’s expression of devotion is some sort of theological argument. It is not. It is simply a disrespectful expression of personal opinion, intended to elevate oneself others.

You can say a song is “a hormonal teenager’s craving for a boyfriend,” or something like that ... or you can say it expresses a vulnerable soul’s yearning for intimate union with her Lord and Savior, friend and brother.

You understand Spanish, don’t you? My group does this song with guitar (the horror!), but the Other Guy in our Spanish music program does this arrangement with keyboard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tR7iRSznVw


38 posted on 01/28/2015 3:49:23 PM PST by Tax-chick ("It's always a longer trip when you defy God." ~ Msgr. Charles Pope)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear
I am trying to prevent them from changing me.

That's a winner, there!

39 posted on 01/28/2015 3:50:39 PM PST by Tax-chick ("It's always a longer trip when you defy God." ~ Msgr. Charles Pope)
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To: MNDude

“Stronger” by Hillsong

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner’s cross
you broke my shame and sinfulness you rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny through the storm and through the fire there is truth that sets me free Jesus Christ who lives in me

[Chorus:]
You are stronger you are stronger
Sin is broken you have saved me it is written Christ is risen Jesus you are Lord of all

No beginning and no end You’re my hope and my defense you came to seek and save the lost you paid it all upon the cross

So let your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher be lifted higher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PeWwnhmZ3A


40 posted on 01/28/2015 5:28:31 PM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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