Response to Matt Redman's Article - Part 2

This is part two of my response to Matt Redman's article: Why Worship Leaders Need Theologians

Have you noticed how many worship songs sing more about God's help rather than how great God is or some other attribute of God? Matt Redman wrote:

One thing I’ve noticed is how much we tend to prefer singing about the helpfulness of God rather than his holiness. We gravitate to the aspects of God that are directly and very obviously beneficial to us—God as shepherd, comforter, refuge, or rescuer.

These are, if you like, songs of helpfulness. But it’s essential that we also have many anthems of his holiness—songs that acclaim God for his worth, whether we’re in the story or not. Songs that lean into themes like grandeur, righteousness, and majesty. Just as the Book of Psalms exemplifies a balance of holiness and helpfulness, we must do likewise.

While there is nothing wrong with singing about how God has helped us through difficult times, but there are times I have thought, is that what God is good for according to most of these songs? Is God only beneficial when things don't go our way?

Whatever happened to songs like the old hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy" or "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name?" Whatever happened to proclaiming gratitude to God for saving us from our sins rather God helping us in time of need although there is nothing with that but that is not the only thing God has done. I believe when people want to testify what God has done, they only tell what God has done in trials not with what He has done in savings us.

Redman goes to say:

Much of the responsibility for what we sing in church falls on the worship leaders and songwriters of our day. Worship leaders and worship movements with a public profile must carry their entrustment with a sense of holy awe. It’s not enough to put out a musically captivating new record or to fill an arena. Those things can be wonderful—but they actually become woeful if we’re not handling our sacred subject material with care.

The same call goes out to every local church worship leader. Are we choosing songs that honor God as fully as we can? Or do we sometimes give songs a free pass, not running them through any kind of theological filter, because the musical vibe is simply too compelling to ignore? I love a fresh, innovative, creative expression as much as anyone, but we can have, and must have, both.

Pastors, you also carry authority in this area. You are the gatekeepers of our services. Call us out—urge worship leaders to do better. Ban songs that you think carry too little substance or even contradict Scripture. Point out themes that are missing and that you want us to find songs for (or even write songs for). Don’t let us get away with lackluster theology at the expense of a pleasing musical experience.

Worship leaders need to care more about the content of their worship songs. It should not be based on a emotional response but based on truth. Just because a song sounds good, it does not mean it is a worship song. When you lead a congregation in worship, you are teaching them. Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God." 

Pastors, you are to protect the flock which means from false teaching not only in classes being taught but also in the songs being sung. You are also to protect them from false teachers which do get in through various worship songs. Not only that you are contributing to these false churches when you use their music when you pay your CCLI licensing. The content of the song matters as well as who wrote it.