Worship Wars and the Content of Music

This morning I read a post whose point was about worship becoming performance-oriented rather than encouraging participation. The post began with a powerful anecdote concerning an elderly lady who could not hear the lyrics. I identified with this dilemma. Of course, I would I cannot see the lyrics printed on screen. If the instruments drown out the singing, I am left out of worship. Even if people around me sing, if I only hear guitars, I cannot sing.

The author lost me in the middle, and I had to force myself to read to the end. The author moved away from the point and contrasted his perception of old hymns and contemporary music. In his view, old hymns state biblical themes while contemporary music is simply person-focused.

This is not my observation at all. On the contrary, many old hymns do state biblical themes; and many old hymns also give powerful personal testimony. My observation is also that many contemporary pieces state biblical themes, and many contemporary pieces also are personally focused.

Disclaimer: Links are included below for those who want to hear these songs. Sample lyrics are also included. In one case, the entire lyric is included because I have discussed its significance at length.

One of the most often sung hymns from my childhood is “At Calvary:

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.
Listen at hymnal.net

This hymn certainly meets the criteria of personal testimony. On the other hand, it also has a very definite biblical theme that no one will question. No one will complain about the personal focus because, hey, it is something that every person who confesses Jesus as Lord can identify with.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation purchase of God;
Born of the Spirit washed in His blood

This is my story this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long;
This is my story this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long
Listen at the Cyber Hymnal

This hymn is even stronger in personal testimony. In fact, I submit that the vast majority of Fanny Crosby’s hymns are testimonial in nature. I don’t suggest not singing them. I do suggest that the argument that has been used to wage the worship wars for many years is rooted in falsehood.

There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.

O there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,
While the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in my soul.
Listen at Hymnal.net

This is a testimonial song that clearly reflects the joyful feeling that was typical of the experience of salvation during the revival era. It should not be confused with a song that expresses biblical truth. There is a place for both in worship; but it is important to understand that the difference is not between “old” and “new”.

You gently call me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit, teach me dear Lord.
To live all of my life through your eyes.

I’m captured by Your holy calling
Set me apart, I know You’re drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord, I pray.

Take me, mold me, use me, fill me,
I give my life to the Potter’s hand.
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand.
Listen to The Potter’s Hand

There are a lot of “I” statements in this song. This is the number 1 complaint about contemporary music. But as with “I Belong” (below), I can only think of one good reason not to sing this: you’re using other songs. This is a perfectly valid and universally applicable prayer of submission to God’s call that any person should be able to pray.

Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Listen on YouTube

Hey, wait, that sounds like Psalms … or at least modern interpretation of Psalms in today’s music. Ok, maybe let’s keep this one but just turn down the music a bit…

Not angels, nor demons
no pow’r on earth or heaven
Not distance, nor danger,
no trouble now or ever

Nothing can take me from your great love
Forever this truth remains

I belong, I belong to you
I belong, I belong to you
listen on YouTube

The chorus of this song says “I belong” over and over and over, especially at the end. And some people really seem to hate repetitive songs. In my church, we sing “we belong” in the final chorus. And it is true. We do belong–all of us and the community.

There is something important that happens when repetitive lines are sung at certain times. There are moments when a person is hurting very deeply when it takes a repetitive line to get the point across. I should also point out that most people don’t mind singing repetitive phrases when the phrase is “praise God” sung to the tune of “Amazing Grace”.

It is hard for me to imagine anyone not singing this song–unless the song simply moves them. The first verse begins with straight biblical text; and I can think of few hymns that match this level of depth in theological faithfulness. Not only is it biblically faithful, but it goes on to build a hermeneutic for today in four lines. A truly brilliant work of art and biblical interpretation! Who needs a sermon after singing this!

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholely trust in Jesus’ name.

Christ alone, cornerstone,
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love.
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all.
Listen on YouTube

Oh wait… Is that a hymn or something else? These hybrids are becoming rather popular.

Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
Listen on YouTube

The most powerful song I’ve ever heard, or sung, is probably this. I think one of my best memories is hearing hundreds of people singing it at an ordination service. It belongs in a book of classics. So do numerous other great contemporary pieces.

What themes are you finding in the songs in your church’s worship sets? If the themes of personal testimony and biblical themes are equally prevalent in both old and new music, then what is the real problem? Is it loudness? Perhaps… Or perhaps not.

If we hope to resolve the “worship wars,” we must be careful to express what we actually mean. And if we still need to find out what is really bothering people, then we need to have some more dialogue–dialogue that may be difficult and painful for everyone.

About Sarah Blake LaRose

Sarah Blake LaRose teaches Biblical Hebrew and Greek at Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry in Anderson, Indiana. She is one of three blind academic scholars who received the Jacob Bolotin Award from the National Federation of the Blind in 2016 in recognition of innovative work in the field of access to biblical language texts and tools for people who are blind. In addition to her work as a professor, she provides braille transcription services specializing in ancient languages. Her research interests concern the intersection of disability, poverty, and biblical studies.

About Sarah Blake LaRose

Sarah Blake LaRose teaches Biblical Hebrew and Greek at Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry in Anderson, Indiana. She is one of three blind academic scholars who received the Jacob Bolotin Award from the National Federation of the Blind in 2016 in recognition of innovative work in the field of access to biblical language texts and tools for people who are blind. In addition to her work as a professor, she provides braille transcription services specializing in ancient languages. Her research interests concern the intersection of disability, poverty, and biblical studies.

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