Response to Matt Redman's Article - Part 3

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

In the conclusion of the article, Redman wrote:

Many of us, myself included, admit we need assistance in that area. We likely didn’t come into this via seminary or intense theological training; we came in through the avenue of loving music and being able to play or sing.

We humbly recognize we cannot do this on our own. We need help from thinkers, theologians, and pastors. We need to be sharpened by fellow songwriters and worship leaders too.

It’s no accident that the King James Version of the Bible tells us over 1,200 times to behold. We worship a God who wants to be recognized for who he is. My prayer is that the church will grow in this area—seeing ever deeper and truer songs—and leading worship services that help us to behold Jesus like never before.

He said that those who sing worship music did not go to seminary nor had theological training. This should cause us to shake our heads. These worship leaders do not have theological training. I am not too concerned about seminary but the fact they do not have theological training should just make us wonder why we would trust anything they have written. 

We are worship God in truth (John 4:24). That truth comes from the Word of God, not our emotions, experiences, or preferences. Our worship leaders need to be equipped. This is why I am thankful for churches and ministries that have written worship songs that are theological. Sovereign Grace Music, Emu Music, Matt Boswell, and Redeeming Truth Music are just a few examples of solid worship music you can listen to and hopefully some churches will use.

Redman said they cannot do it on their own. They need help. Yes, they do. Matt has written good songs in the past that I will sing from the rooftops. There have been many from Passion and other artists that I can the same thing, but they are not theologically strong as they could be. I hope Redman will seek godly wisdom from solid biblical preachers and theologians when it comes to their songs. Pastors need to take seriously the music they let in their church. 

Redman concludes by saying we worship a God who wants to be recognized for who He is. Amen. God deserves all our praise. He deserves all the glory. I echo Matt's prayer that the church will grow in this area to make our worship more biblical and theological. I pray that our worship will be edifying to the body. Songs from Bethel, Elevation, and Hillsong are not edifying even if the song says right things about God. I will also add Gateway and North Point to that list. 

I believe if we are going to have meaningful worship in our churches, it needs to start with the leadership of a congregation to grow a spine and reject songs from false churches with false ideologies. We need songs that are biblical true. They do teach like it or not. To paraphrase Costi Hinn, to have theological accuracy in our pulpit but not in our worship is hypocrisy. It is also hypocritical to preach against the prosperity gospel and use their worship music. 

May God bring a reformation in the area of worship music for the glory of His name. Amen. 

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. 

Response to Matt Redman's Article

In the past, I have enjoyed the music of Matt Redman. I have been blessed by a lot of his early music including the song "You Never Let Go," which was a song I listened to during my first round of chemo back in 2007.

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.

Music Monday: Where Would We Be by Matt Redman

Music Monday: Love So High by Matt Redman

Music Monday: Songs from Matt Redman's Christmas Album

I have been enjoying Matt Redman's Christmas CD, These Christmas Lights. It has been in my CD player non-stop. This week I wanted to share a few songs from that album. These are lyric videos with chords for those who want to learn how to play them.

The first video is "Hearts Waiting (Joy To The World)":



Next, we have "His Name Shall Be":



Finally, "Help From Heaven" with Natasha Bedingfield:

Around The Web-November 4, 2016

The complete 5 volume set of Reformed Dogmatics by Geerhardus Vos is now available and on sale

6 Marks of a Faithful Ministry by Tim Challies

A Few Brief Thoughts on the Hatmaker Hermeneutic by Kevin DeYoung

Love Your Neighbor Enough to Speak Truth by Rosaria Butterfield

Our Impoverished Imaginations: The World of Jen Hatmaker by Jake Meador

Is evangelical Christianity becoming more open to gay marriage? by Denny Burk

How to Practice Christian Encouragement by Jared Musgrove

Set Free by the Gospel: Navigating Between License and Legalism by Jonah Sage

If you are regular visitor to the blog, you know that I have shared Matt Redman videos time and time again during "Music Monday," which includes one of his most popular songs, "10,000 Reasons." This video is Matt leading people in that song which took place at Times Square.

Music Monday: Through It All by Matt Redman

Book Review: Finding God in the Hard Times by Matt and Beth Redman

Suffering is inevitable. Suffering comes in various forms. It comes in the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, persecution, and even getting a call from a doctor that leaves you and your family wondering where is God is all of this. The book of Job is about a man who suffered at the hands of Satan. In the midst of his suffering, we see him crying out to God in worship, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).

Back in 2002, Matt Redman released a worship song called, Blessed Be Your Name, which has been sung in the church for over the past decade. This song is declaration that God's name is to be praise when we are having moments of blessing or moments of suffering. Matt and his wife, Beth, have written a book that breaks down portions of that song for their readers called, Finding God in the Hard Times.

This book was originally titled, Blessed Be Your Name, which obviously was the same as Matt's popular worship song. Matt and Beth not only tell their own personal stories of heartache and suffering but others as well. Some stories mention how Matt's song has ministered to them during their time of suffering. This book is about how Christians can praise the Lord even when times are hard and there is seems to be no end in sight.

Matt Redman's music has always blessed my heart as I listen to and sing his songs. I appreciate the Redmans opening up about their stories of suffering during their marriage even before they knew each other. It is a simple book that can be given to someone going through a hard time.

Thanks Bethany House for letting me review this book.

Music Monday: 2 Songs for Communion

Our church just recently celebrated communion as we remember the death of the Lord Jesus in our place for our sins. This post is dedicated to two songs as a response to God as we took the bread and the wine.

The first song is from Stuart Townend, which is a song we sung, called the Communion Hymn. The next song, which is a lyric video, is from Matt Redman called Remembrance (Communion Song).

Music Monday: Endless Hallelujah by Matt Redman

Our church is studying the book of Revelation during our Sunday School hour. Yesterday we looked at chapters 4 & 5 talking about all the saints, angels, and creatures around the throne of God. It is amazing that one day we will see it. One day we will gather with all the saints from every tribe and nation.

This song from Matt Redman is the last track on his classic album, 10,000 Reasons, and it is one of my favorite songs off the album. As you read the lyrics, think about the day we see Jesus face-to-face and our worship is never ending.

Music Monday: Your Grace Finds Me by Matt Redman

This song is the title track from Matt Redman's latest album, Your Grace Finds Me.

Music Monday: Jesus, Only Jesus by Matt Redman

This is one of my favorite songs from the latest Passion album.

Music Monday: 27 Million by Matt Redman and LZ7

Last week over 60,000 college students and High School Seniors gathered together for a conference that has been around for over 15 years, Passion. During this conference they raised awareness for modern day slavery. CNN recently did a report on the conference as they raised over 3 million dollars to free those in slavery. Matt Redman and LZ7 got together to make a song in tribute to the 27 million in slavery:

Music Monday: 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

I know some of you might be thinking, did he already post this video. Yes and no. Last time I posted the video only had the lyrics as it was playing from Matt Redman's latest album, 10,000 Reasons. This video is a new edition to the song which I think is better than the live version:

Music Monday: 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

A few weeks ago, our GA's (Girls in Action) attended camp where one of the songs they were led into was Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons. My daughter has been singing that song ever since. It is a great song so I thought I would share it with you today in video form as Matt (the recording is live but the video is not) is singing with the words on the screen like you were in a worship service: