I have to admit I grew concern with Matt when I saw he was leading worship for conferences with Joyce Meyer who is a well-known false teacher. He has also written a song from Bethel Music as well as Elevation worship.
Recently, he wrote an article for Christianity Today on the issue of worship leaders needing theologians. This is how the article begins:
In Acts 17, the apostle Paul arrives in Athens and discovers something strange—an altar with an inscription to an “unknown god.”
Of course, he expertly turns this moment into a chance to tell the story of the one true God. But it’s always struck me just how unhelpful this inscription must have been for any unfortunate worshipers of this supposed deity—who was both unknown and unknowable.
We know nothing of the nature, character and attributes of this god. We don’t know if this god has performed any mighty deeds, worked any miracles, or won any victories. Nor do we know anything about their appearance. We’re not even given their name. What exactly is required or desired from worshipers? We’re literally given nothing to go on.
For worshipers of Jesus, it’s a completely different story. We worship a God of self-revelation, who wants to be seen and known. Every page of his book reveals him— and not just hints, clues and whispers—but full-on descriptions of who he is, what he’s done, and why he’s so utterly worthy of our worship.
We’re left in no doubt that he is both majestic and merciful, powerful and peaceful, holy and humble, glorious and gracious. The Bible also tells us how best to approach God and what kind of offerings will find favor in his sight.
When it comes to worship, it’s always been clear that we don’t get to make this stuff up.
A worship service might never contain every aspect of God’s truth, but, as the late Marva J. Dawn once reminded us, “worship must never give us untruth.” We also must do our best to not miss key elements of who it is we are encountering.
Twenty years ago, I wrote to key pastors, preachers, and theologians asking them a simple question: “What are some essential themes of Scripture that are lacking in our current worship expressions?”
Many of the replies referenced God as creator, God as judge, and God as Trinity. While they offered positive comments about contemporary worship music, there was a sense of challenge: For the good of the church and the glory of God, we must do better.
The last sentence of the last paragraph is what caught my attention, "For the good of the church and the glory of God, we must do better." The question is what they meant by doing better. Matt goes on to say, "A couple of decades later, I wonder how much progress we have made. Worship music has evolved and progressed creatively, showing up across more musical genres than ever before. The production aspects of our expressions have moved forward too. But can we say the same about the lyrical, theological content?"
Yes, worship music has progressed and evolved, but to be honest most of it for the worst. Many worship songs like songs you would hear on non-Christian radio. I remember hearing a song from Hillsong and it sounded like a song from Coldplay. Other songs like something you would have over a candlelight dinner with your spouse.
Matt asked if lyrically and theologically has the content gotten better? For most worship songs that an answer is no. Take "What A Beautiful Name" from Hillsong for example. The second verse says:
You didn't want Heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought Heaven down
What does this imply? This implies that God needs us. He needs us in Heaven with Him. Acts 17:24-25 says, "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things." God is self-sufficient. He is not dependent on anyone.
Hillsong's "King of Kings" implies Open Theism. Beginning in the last verse, the song says:
And the morning that You rose
All of Heaven held its breath
'Til that stone was moved for good
When the songs says that all of Heaven held its breath who does that include. God Himself. Isaiah 66:1 says Heaven is my throne and Psalm 115:3 says our God is in the heavens. This song implies that God was "worried" along with all of Heaven if His plan for redemption was about to be accomplished. Open Theism says that God does not know the future which means He is not sovereign, yet we know from the Bible is not true.
One more thing, this says all Heaven held its breath till that stone was moved. This implies that all of Heaven looks down on those still on the earth which means all who are in Heaven are omnipresent like God Himself. This sounds like Mormonism.
There is more to cover regarding Matt' article that I will tackle in upcoming post.
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