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Theology in worship songs: Needed or not?
Do all the songs that we do in church need to have solid Theology in them?
Do we accomplish this by throwing in a hymn or two?
How important is Theology in writing worship songs, or presenting them at your local church?
Does theology even matter?
What is theology?
Answer any or all
Cheers,
Ryan
Do we accomplish this by throwing in a hymn or two?
How important is Theology in writing worship songs, or presenting them at your local church?
Does theology even matter?
What is theology?
Answer any or all
Cheers,
Ryan
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dale on -
You might be saying "theology" when a better term would be "doctrine". Theology is the study of God and His relation to the world. Doctrine is that which is taught.
So I say sound doctrine is essential in a worship song. It wouldn't bring the Lord any glory (and it would be destructive and a lie) if the lyrics were saying the Bible is just another book, Jesus wasn't divine, there is no forgiveness, etc.
One thing to avoid in our concern about doctrine, is each song doesn't need to be an entire Sunday school lesson.
Hope that helps a bit.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Foglesong on -
Thanks Dale,
I didn't want to be specific with particular doctrines of the church, which is why I used the umbrella term of 'theology.' You're right that theology is the study of God, and that 'certain' doctrines can be expressed in worship songs!
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Permalink Reply by Dale on
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So your original question was more relating to doctrine about which there is disagreement? Maybe I should write a worship song about speaking in tongues, or premillennialism vs. postmillennialism! Talk about a Sunday school lesson!
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Foglesong on
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Hahaha, well I guess not as academic as pre vs. post. But how about the doctrines of 'limited or unlimited atonement,' 'assurance of salvation,' 'sola christo,' or how God has moved throughout history. Can worship songs communicate theological positions like many old hymns do, or is it sufficient to have praise songs that express how 'I feel about God.' I would love to hear a pre vs. postmillennialist or a calvinist vs. arminian song, hahaha
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Permalink Reply by Diana on -
when I write a worship song or even an inspirational song to be sung by a soloist, I have to ask myself if its scripturally accurate...that doesn't mean I have to quote a specific verse, but it needs to be demonstrated by a scriptural principle. and the other issue I try to include is, Is this true for all times and for all believers? There are quite a few current songs that seem to primarily address American culture and I find some of them frustrating because they are not applicable to other believers in other parts of the world. Scriptural principles are truly universal....we can address current culture, especially the lies it conveys and show the Biblical truth and hope..that is universal because every culture expresses "sin" in some way. I have known people that feel its only a valid song if it quotes scripture directly in the King James version... some of the most fun we have as songwriters is conveying a scriptural truth in a new way......
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Permalink Reply by Patrick Craig on -
My experience as a songwriter/worship leader has shown me that there are two kinds of music in a church service. The Word of God set to music, and songs that use words and thoughts that flow from the mind, heart, and experiences of a non-canonical writer. While the latter kinds of songs can point people to Jesus (what I call the pointing anointing), they are not the Word of God. What we know about the Word is that it is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12..
In other words it has life (zao - God's life) and power (energes) and works in the hearer with an active life principle that changes and transforms them. No song that I write (or any other songwriter for that matter) has the same kind of power that is found in the living Word. So If I bring a chorus most of the time I want it to be straight from the Word. ("Create in Me a Clean Heart" for example.) I have written some choruses from the Word, but I don't consider them my songs, since I am just putting them to another melody. As far as teaching Doctrine, the best teachers simply present the Word and don't try to force it into a convoluted thesis. After all, it's the Holy Spirit's job to teach us everything we need to know about Jesus, and I believe He does that by revelation in a worship service as we present the Word to the congregation.
As far as telling God how we feel about Him, I think that's one of the big problems with songs in the church today. ME ME ME, I, I, I. Who cares! It's all so centered in self. The biggest section in my collection of choruses is the "I" section. (I think, I feel, I want, I love, blah blah blah). I find it very sad. What happened to the You songs? (You are mighty, powerful, wonderful, exalted, holy, awesome......)
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Permalink Reply by Lorne Speck on -
Amen & Amen brother.
Some of the 'feelings' songs/choruses are good to sing but yeah, where is Faithful One, At the Cross, etc.
Songs, music, and any other form of worship should exalt God which in turn draws us closer to God which in turn highlights our sinful life which in turn leads us to confession and repentance which in turn allows God to work even more thru us to bless others. It is NOT about me. Period.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Harmer on -
I hear what you say Patrick, however don't forget that the Psalms were writen by a man..... David.....
We may concider that they are the words of God and they are, but I don''t think that David's ability to hear and write God's words as being any different from Yours or Mine or anybody elses...
I think too often we forget that the Bible is the MAN written Holy Spirit inspired word of God....
Just because David wrote it down does not make it anymore important than what you may write.. I think that you are quite capable of writing the Holy Spirit inspired words from God too...
Tottally agree with the me me me thing though,, although there is pleanty of that I Psalms too... woe was me...... I see plenty in Davids writing....
Blessing From Aus.... :(
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Permalink Reply by Justin Kirkendall on -
hmmm..... i think that they need to have a point.
I love how your questions used theology like 52 times in 5 sentences- haha i'm just messing with you....
:)
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Permalink Reply by Dan Camp on -
OK...at the risk of sounding rude (and that is not my intent at all...but voice inflection doesn't type well)...why are we even having this discussion? If it doesn't match with what I see in the Word, It'll not be sung from the front of my church...not in the least because (as I understand Theology) I, as a leader, will be held responsible by God Almighty if I lead people astray. "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck." Mark 9:42 (NIV)
That being said, there's a difference between bad theology and genuine differences of opinion on specific points of doctrine. I may choose to not sing some songs, based on the lyrics, but recognize that they are not "bad theology" per se, but rather say things that I'm not confident of from my understanding of the Word.
And, for my $.02 worth, there are a few hymns that I have lyrical issues with, so it isn't all just contemporary worship music...
Sorry if this sounds harsh...I'm kinda partial to the whole "Rightly dividing the Word of truth..." thing in my words, my deeds, AND my songs.
Blessings--Dan
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Permalink Reply by Phil Holburt on -
Totally agree with you Dan.
Whilst our songs & hymns used for worship meetings needn't necessarily be a treatise in doctrine/theology they do need to be soundly grounded in the Word. At the very least they need to be in harmony with the Bible.
We could go on about it in depth, but for me, if the song /hymn isn't in line with the Word then I'm not going to use it.
God Bless
Phil H.
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