| Choosing our "Christian" music wisely |
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I have commented in the past here about some songs that we sing in church, but somehow don't seem doctrinally sound to me. For example:
"I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain, I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord."
Please don't hate me. I know many people LOVE this song. I'm just not one of them.
While I like the thought, it doesn't jibe with what scripture says. We can't just lay down our sickness, walk away from it and have only the joy of the Lord to contend with. Sometimes, no matter how much we'd like to dump pain on the side of the road and leave it there, our suffering instead becomes a part of our lives and, hopefully, a part of our witness. We can, however, rejoice in our suffering (Romans 5:3-5), knowing it will mature us in our faith. We can also count our trials (i.e. suffering and pain) as joy (James 1:2-4) for the same reason. But that is not the same thing as laying down our sickness and pain. That is only one example, of course, and many, MANY, songs are written that are consistent with scripture. Some favorites:
Shout To the Lord -All time #1 (Psalm 98:4-8)
He Knows My Name (Brings my thoughts directly to Psalm 139 every time we sing it)
How Great is Our God - A new favorite! (Only touches the surface of Psalm 104. Lovely.)
I bring the issue up again, first, in the hopes that it might be a reminder that just because a song seems to be "Christian," doesn't mean it is biblically accurate. We need to be careful what we listen to, especially when it comes to songs written for Christian audiences. Turning our radio to the Christian station does not give us permission to put our thoughts on auto pilot. Think about the words being sung in the song. Yes, it may have a catchy beat or make you feel special, but is it TRUE?
Lifeway is getting ready to release a new 2008 edition of the Baptist Hymnal. Baptist Press published an article on the subject that included some really important stuff. First, Jon Duncan, state music director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, said something that is so true I needed to read it twice just to take it in:
I believe that, along with most Baptists, my theology was shaped through the singing of hymns... Although I didn't understand everything I was singing as a young boy, the theological deposits being made during these formative years provided anchors for my life. As a result, the teaching impact through singing our hymns cannot be understated.
He is absolutely right! Much of our personal theology is shaped through the music we listen to and sing! Think about it! We need to be careful that the music we expose our children to presents the Gospel accurately or they may grow up to have an inaccurate understanding of God. That's big stuff.
The committee took their job of selecting songs to include in the hymnal very seriously. Here is the criterion they used:
Each song's suitability is based on these questions:
-- Does the hymn speak biblically of God?
-- Is it God-honoring?
-- Does the hymn present a biblical view of man?
-- Does the song help us to cover the depth and breadth of our theology?
-- Does the hymn call us to true discipleship, service, repentance, witness, missions and devotion?
-- Does the hymn speak biblically of salvation?
-- Does it engage the whole person - allowing a person to express his deepest feelings?
-- Does the hymn emphasize that Christ is the Christian's Lord, Master and King? (the idea of total submission)
-- Does the hymn present an Americanized/Westernized gospel? (civil religion)
-- Is there a balance with corporate and individual response in worship? (immanence and transcendence)-- Does the hymn speak biblically about the church, the body of Christ?
If we used such a criterion to consider the songs we allow in our homes, cars and even our churches, do you think it would change anything?
I'm just askin'.....
The new hymnal will include about 650 songs, 300 of which are brand new to the hymnal. Some of the titles are:
Amazing Grace
Awesome in This Place
Better Is One Day
Breathe
Change My Heart, O God
Draw Me Close
God of Wonders
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
He Knows My Name (YES!)
I Give You My Heart
I Worship You, Almighty God
Just As I Am
Made Me Glad
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Shout to the Lord (Double YES!!)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
You Are My King [Amazing Love]
and the list goes on...
I am not saying the Baptist Hymnal is the "bible" to be used to judge whether or not a song is Biblically accurate! What I am clumsily trying to express is that we need to use discernment regarding everything we expose ourselves and our children to, including music written for Christian audiences. The list of criterion the committee who chose the songs to be included in the hymnal impressed me as something that could be applied in many circumstances. That's all.
You can read Mr. Duncan's interview through this link.
You can read the Baptist Press article, which lists the criterion, through this link.
You can find the complete song list at http://www.lifewayworship.com/ |
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