Over the last several years, a lot of self-proclaimed Christian musicians have moved their concert venues from church buildings to concert venues. Same entertainment experience, just without the sermons, the free will offering, and the 501c3 nonprofit group that provided them a rehearsal platform for decades.
Neither the article’s author nor any commenter (hundreds of them on this post alone) has quoted the lyrics of a single song involved in this debate and given scriptural evidence for that song being heretical. I think that’s how the decision should be made
Thank you for your comment. You may have missed the point of the post... The music is designed to draw people into the revenue-generating ecosystems of these 3 so-called churches.
Granted. Steven Furtick is a co-writer on many of the Elevation songs, which means a portion of royalties go to him. However, I’m uncomfortable lumping Phil Wickham into the Elevation-Bethel-Hillsong group. I think his songs should be used if they contain biblical theology
You make a good point Phil Wickham and Josh Farro originally wrote "This is Amazing Grace". It was passed around until Jeremy Riddle of Bethel Church heard it and recorded a different version.
There’s Ozzy or Beethoven on the other ends of the spectrum to listen to. No church is perfect by man nor is music perfect to everyone who listens to it. Perhaps it’s the religious mindset that’s skewed?
As long as they’re circumcised and refrain from eating meat sacrificed to idols I think you should leave them be. (Acts chapter 15.) My wife and I don’t enter the sanctuary until the music is over at Life Church because it’s very loud and not to our liking but I would hesitate to say the young people who like it aren’t praising God.
Francis Schaeffer wrote in The Mark of a Christian:
At the close of his ministry, Jesus made clear what was to be the distinguishing mark of
the Christian until His return: A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:33-35)
Notice that what He says here is not a statement or a fact. It is a command which
includes a condition: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another. And if this is involved, if you obey, you will wear the badge that Christ gave.
But since this is a command, it can be violated. The point: while it is possible to be a
Christian without showing the mark; if we expect non-Christians to know that we are
Christians, we must show the mark. Speaking to the church some years later, the same
John who wrote the account above says: This is the message you heard from the
beginning: We should love one another.(1 John 3:11) John in effect says: Don’t forget
this… don’t forget this! This command was given to us by Christ while He was still on
Syncopation in music refers to the deliberate disruption of the regular flow of rhythm by placing accents on normally weak beats or off-beats. This technique creates a sense of surprise and excitement, making the music more engaging and dynamic.
Jim interesting read! I would like to know what your thoughts are in Christian Artist Zach Williams and say Ben Fuller. They seem to have a good message with their music ? Look forward to your response
Julie, thank you for your kind comment. Bethel has consistently denied this as well as many of the other non-biblical activities they engage in. You might want to broaden your research.
I agree there are very real issues. In fact my 2nd substack and most recent post was "Why Would We Call It Worship?" There are reasons to have concerns about gold dust and more. I just wanted to be sure, you were aware of their official response. It's one issue in a concerning trend.
You are spot on! We do not support the ‘I’ and ‘me’ songs, not do we support Jesus as your ‘friend’ songs, breaking chains songs that are used out of context, songs about ‘loving you’ that never mention who exactly their loving….. The list goes on and on. This crazy mess has spilled over into church youth group meeting rooms that now look just like a dark nightclub or remake of a speakeasy! Our youth are being led astray.
As a musician, who has spent many years serving on various worship teams for the past 20 years, my experience has seen it all when it comes to worship environments. I’ve taken part in the high emotional evangelical type which was highlighted on the article to a more reverent hymn based style serving at a United Methodist church. I’ve served st Baptist conventions, non denim churches and even played for mallard Hispanic churches and ministries for the homeless. All had their own unique style when it came to the worship service and the music that was chosen. What I have learned along the way is that a great musician will have reaped the power of music and the emotional impact it can evoke. I want to be clear that I am only taking about the the music and not the lyrical content here. I do believe that the lyrics do need to have sound doctrine and scriptural meaning and not just a “feeling” a songwriter might have had. I think that’s more reserved to be explored with themselves and God alone. Now, I believe that worship is our frontlines of defense against an enemy that seeks to divide and conquer us. I believe that the Holy Spirit has authority and power to speak to us and He will use music as one of way of communicating with us. I believe that my job is to not be manipulative and make people feel emotional in order to be more vulnerable with God but rather present them with an opportunity to do so. As you can see, the first motive becomes about me and my musical ability. The second comes as a hand outstretched and invites them to engage with the God we serve. Let’s engage with him, whenever we are.
Consider re-writing the first paragraph;
Over the last several years, a lot of self-proclaimed Christian musicians have moved their concert venues from church buildings to concert venues. Same entertainment experience, just without the sermons, the free will offering, and the 501c3 nonprofit group that provided them a rehearsal platform for decades.
Neither the article’s author nor any commenter (hundreds of them on this post alone) has quoted the lyrics of a single song involved in this debate and given scriptural evidence for that song being heretical. I think that’s how the decision should be made
Thank you for your comment. You may have missed the point of the post... The music is designed to draw people into the revenue-generating ecosystems of these 3 so-called churches.
Granted. Steven Furtick is a co-writer on many of the Elevation songs, which means a portion of royalties go to him. However, I’m uncomfortable lumping Phil Wickham into the Elevation-Bethel-Hillsong group. I think his songs should be used if they contain biblical theology
You make a good point Phil Wickham and Josh Farro originally wrote "This is Amazing Grace". It was passed around until Jeremy Riddle of Bethel Church heard it and recorded a different version.
I have a joke about modern worship music.
I have a joke about modern worship music.
I have a joke about modern worship music.
I have a joke about modern worship music.
Lol
Great article.m, thank you. I’d like to recommend Spencer Smith’s “Third Adam “ series on YT. God bless.
There’s Ozzy or Beethoven on the other ends of the spectrum to listen to. No church is perfect by man nor is music perfect to everyone who listens to it. Perhaps it’s the religious mindset that’s skewed?
When did judgment become a "Christian" virtue?
https://blog.petersproverbs.us/p/do-not-judge-or-else
Peter, Thank you for your comment. I suggest you re-read Matthew 7:1-2 and Ephesians 5:11. The post does not judge... it warns.
Permit me to suggest you ponder Matthew 23. That too, is a warning.
As long as they’re circumcised and refrain from eating meat sacrificed to idols I think you should leave them be. (Acts chapter 15.) My wife and I don’t enter the sanctuary until the music is over at Life Church because it’s very loud and not to our liking but I would hesitate to say the young people who like it aren’t praising God.
Francis Schaeffer wrote in The Mark of a Christian:
At the close of his ministry, Jesus made clear what was to be the distinguishing mark of
the Christian until His return: A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:33-35)
Notice that what He says here is not a statement or a fact. It is a command which
includes a condition: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another. And if this is involved, if you obey, you will wear the badge that Christ gave.
But since this is a command, it can be violated. The point: while it is possible to be a
Christian without showing the mark; if we expect non-Christians to know that we are
Christians, we must show the mark. Speaking to the church some years later, the same
John who wrote the account above says: This is the message you heard from the
beginning: We should love one another.(1 John 3:11) John in effect says: Don’t forget
this… don’t forget this! This command was given to us by Christ while He was still on
earth. This is to be your mark.
Chant. Leave rock to the secular world.
Well said. For me, I don't want to lead a babe in the Lord to one of those YouTube channels or “churches" … so I'm extremely careful.
Stopped reading at Roman Catholic masses,
Sadly I agree
Syncopation in music refers to the deliberate disruption of the regular flow of rhythm by placing accents on normally weak beats or off-beats. This technique creates a sense of surprise and excitement, making the music more engaging and dynamic.
Jim interesting read! I would like to know what your thoughts are in Christian Artist Zach Williams and say Ben Fuller. They seem to have a good message with their music ? Look forward to your response
Jim I appreciate your take on Christian subjects.
Brian, Thank you for your comment. I am not familiar with either of the two gentlemen you mentioned but will keep them on my radar screen.
https://www.bethel.com/news/bethel-statement-regarding-christian-tarot-cards
In case you haven't seen it, here is the statement from Bethel concerning tarot cards. You have some valid points, but this report was innacurate.
Julie, thank you for your kind comment. Bethel has consistently denied this as well as many of the other non-biblical activities they engage in. You might want to broaden your research.
I agree there are very real issues. In fact my 2nd substack and most recent post was "Why Would We Call It Worship?" There are reasons to have concerns about gold dust and more. I just wanted to be sure, you were aware of their official response. It's one issue in a concerning trend.
You are spot on! We do not support the ‘I’ and ‘me’ songs, not do we support Jesus as your ‘friend’ songs, breaking chains songs that are used out of context, songs about ‘loving you’ that never mention who exactly their loving….. The list goes on and on. This crazy mess has spilled over into church youth group meeting rooms that now look just like a dark nightclub or remake of a speakeasy! Our youth are being led astray.
As a musician, who has spent many years serving on various worship teams for the past 20 years, my experience has seen it all when it comes to worship environments. I’ve taken part in the high emotional evangelical type which was highlighted on the article to a more reverent hymn based style serving at a United Methodist church. I’ve served st Baptist conventions, non denim churches and even played for mallard Hispanic churches and ministries for the homeless. All had their own unique style when it came to the worship service and the music that was chosen. What I have learned along the way is that a great musician will have reaped the power of music and the emotional impact it can evoke. I want to be clear that I am only taking about the the music and not the lyrical content here. I do believe that the lyrics do need to have sound doctrine and scriptural meaning and not just a “feeling” a songwriter might have had. I think that’s more reserved to be explored with themselves and God alone. Now, I believe that worship is our frontlines of defense against an enemy that seeks to divide and conquer us. I believe that the Holy Spirit has authority and power to speak to us and He will use music as one of way of communicating with us. I believe that my job is to not be manipulative and make people feel emotional in order to be more vulnerable with God but rather present them with an opportunity to do so. As you can see, the first motive becomes about me and my musical ability. The second comes as a hand outstretched and invites them to engage with the God we serve. Let’s engage with him, whenever we are.