Across the world today, Christians gathered together to worship God. From the cathedrals of New York to the underground churches of China, songs were sung to the glory of God. Stylistically and musically, the songs were probably all over the map, too. Some were sung acapella, some with a massive pipe organ. In my church, we have what I reckon would be termed “contemporary” worship. By that I mean we have drums, guitars, microphones…all the stuff my grandfather probably wouldn’t have liked too much.
Which brings me to my post title. I’ve been involved in the music of the church since I was a kid. I’ve been part and parcel to the “worship wars” as they’ve come to be known. I’ve heard the arguments for and against contemporary worship (that rock and roll is of the DEBIL!!!), and I’ve heard the arguments for and against hymns (they’re just old bar songs with new lyrics, or we’re doing a “new” thing). I’ve heard the cries from people that evidently think Psalm 150 was not inspired by the Holy Spirit, and I’ve head people complain that, if you don’t have it loud, God ain’t proud.
It’s hard, you see, to get people to agree on this subject.
That’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved my church. We’re not stuck in the past, yet we’ve not forgotten it either. We remember where we’ve been, yet we’re not content to stay there. Today, for example, we sang 5 songs. While most of them were new, we sang the old camp meeting standard “Power in the Blood.” The arrangement was a bit more up-to-date than what I grew up with (thank the Lord!), but the beauty of it is this: the lyrics, the melody never changes. Truth is truth. Praise is Praise. If a song from 1850 glorifies God, sing it. If a song from 2010 lifts high the name of Jesus, sing it! If they don’t, DON’T!
As we sang “Power in the Blood” today, in my mind I was taken back to church on Sunday nights when I was a kid. I remember the beat, the energy, the music…but most of all, I remember the faces of the saints singing that song. I remember the incredible joy in their eyes as they sang “Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood! Power in the blood!” And when I opened my eyes today, I saw that same joy on the saints in 2010.
That’s worship. Remembering what God has done for us, and thanking Him for it. No matter your preference of music, no matter the age of the song, if it’s true, sing it with all your might, and give glory to Whom glory is due!
Now, click on the link and enjoy this video. And watch out for Carl.
The Wading Pool 
i dare to go one step further when it comes to misic.i believe as a christian the only music we should listen to is that which gives praise to God.so i have taught that when we listen to ,lets say rock or country,whether the lyrics are bad or not,we give glory to the artist or the subject.there is no way to give glory to God through any other music than praise and worship. there are a lot of christians who still listen to the same music they did before they saved.this only gives glory to satan and can effect their sub-concience mind.God tells us how to praise Him,it is all over psalms.if you have ever noticed at a typical rock concert,people lift their hands and sing, or hold lighters in the air,this is a form of praise,but to who? be careful,christian, what you listen to and to whom you sing.
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Eric, first of all, thanks for stopping by! I appreciate all the comments, and your taking the time to read. Come back anytime! You certainly gave me a lot to think about!
On the subject of music, I must respectfully disagree with you. I believe music can honor God and not categorically be “praise and worship.” Let me ask you this: what are your criteria for whether or not something is “praise and worship.” Calvin only allowed the Psalms to be sung in Geneva…I don’t think you’d go that far. I know people who feel that anything that is on Christian Radio could be classified as Praise and Worship, but I wouldn’t say that, either.
While I understand fully the concern with “who are we worshipping” at a concert, and would agree, I disagree that to listen to a song that is not “praise and worship” is giving glory to satan. Are you disallowing artists such as Andrew Peterson, a devout Christian, a songwriter, but not a Praise and worship writer? When I hear his music, I’m not giving him praise, but giving God praise for giving him the gift of songwriting. Rich Mullins, writer of Awesome God (which really isn’t praise and worship), was one of the greatest songwriters in recent years, but only wrote a few “p&w” songs.
What about love songs? There are many songs that my wife and I like, because they remind us of our love for each other. Isn’t that what Song of Solomon was about? Man and wife?
I give glory to God when I hear good music! Obviously, there is a LOT out there that is not God-glorifying, there is much that is! I thank God for the gift of music, and giving me ears to hear it!
Thanks again.
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