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 ...
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.
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.
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).
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?
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...
Somehow I think God might have a different take on it than you do.
(James 2:1-7)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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Have nothing to do with their attire.
Well, to be fair, that song isn’t easily confused with a hormonal teenager lusting for her boyfriend.
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’.
Interesting dovetail to this thread.
http://mikelivingstone.com/2014/12/17/the-heresy-of-worshiptainment/
“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
I notice.
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.
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
That's a winner, there!
“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
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