Worship music and why I (usually) hate it
On another blog, we were discussing whether anyone would leave a church because of the music. The question was posed to me: Why the distaste for church/worship music? It’s a good question. I’m not sure I have the full answer, but I’ll do my best to discuss it here. Perhaps my sentiments are best summed up in this Married to the Sea cartoon:
First and most nauseous, are the lyrics of most worship music. There are few songs that I find both substantive and agreeable. At best, most songs tend to be little more than spiritual, emotional masturbation. The songs are packed with heart-stirring, insubstantial lyrics designed to illicit the highest possible emotional response. It’s about getting that queezy, I’m-in-love feeling in your stomach–but not much else. Allow me to cite my favorite example of such. Consider the opening line to “How Great Is Our God” by Chris Tomlin:
The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
Alright, did everyone reading this pass elementary school English class? Good. All sentences must have 1) a subject and 2) a verb. “The splendor of a king clothed in majesty,” is not a sentence. I suppose technically you could argue that “splendor” is the subject. If that is the case, then there is no direct object after the verb “clothed.” What did the king’s splendor put its majestic clothes onto? We may never know, but the earth sure is rejoicing. I’ve seen people sing this song with such conviction, closed eyes, raised hands, the whole gamut. Did the words they sang make sense to them? Not if they were older than 8 and actually thought about what they were singing.
At worst the lyrics are horribly patriarchal, imperial and domineering. Because we’ve all sung the same songs a million times, we end up shifting into auto-pilot and letting the words come out of our mouth without thinking them. What are we actually singing? I forget. Was it about Manifest Destiny, female inferiority, domination? The most vile of worship songs seem to support the notion that God has a penis and uses it to smite anyone who doesn’t have Jesus in their heart. Jesus may have said, “He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword,” but let’s all sing:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see his banners go!
What amazes me most is that many churches will sing popular worship music or historic hymns seemingly without once stopping to consider whether the lyrics they sing agree with the theology that will be preached fifteen minutes later. We’ll sing a song comparing Jesus to a glorious warlord, then listen to a message encouraging us to live peaceful, compassionate lives. We’ll sing about how all we wait for is to be swept up to heaven, then hear a sermon about how we should try to be content with our circumstances. It baffles me.
Furthermore, most worship music written in the last couple decades is generally simplistic, unimaginative and uncreative. Obviously, there are exceptions. At the Mercy House, Joe and his crew have been known to break into beautiful solos that sound reminiscent of a Sigur Ros concert. Certainly no one could ever accuse the Psalters of writing stereotypical music. However, the joke is funny because it’s true: If you can play G, C, D and Em on guitar, you can play any worship song.
Ultimately, I find most of the lyrics and music unimaginative, uncreative, shallow, insubstantial and offensive. Now, I not a very negative person. Even in the worst songs, I try to find something I agree with or look for some new perspective which might deepen my understanding of God. That said, most worship music represents a minute fraction of my understanding of the spiritual experience. Frankly, 15 minutes once a week is just too much. It’s like taking a biology class, and the professor spends the first three weeks explaining what the word “biology” means. Sure, it’s important to know, but you’re boring me.
There are songs I like. “How Great Thou Art” may be my favorite. Generally songs extolling the beauty of creation are my favorite. But that may only be because they’re actually talking about something (instead of nothing), and it has nothing to do with God’s penis, empire or hate. I also appreciate good music. I appreciate talented artists. I enjoy going to art museums. I enjoy going to concerts. If you’re playing good, creative music at church, I’ll enjoy it more.
So… you asked. That’s why I wouldn’t be terribly disappointed if we cut the music out of church all together.
Hi,
Just a suggestion: Take yourself to an African/American church. I am sure that there is a few in your “city”? Listen to the gospel music…
You may like or dislike what you hear. I, however, thought you may like something different?
Thanks,
Phil Edwards
(pmespeak.com)
I think I agree with you for the most part. Most worship songs are after an emotional response rather than giving us good theological content. Although, I probably would not criticize them quite as harshly as you.
As far as complete sentences go, song lyrics are poetic in nature, so the rules for grammar are a bit looser. Also, it is true that almost every worship chorus can be played using G, C, D, and Em chords on the guitar. The same can be said of almost any rock / blues song ever written.
Overall, you are right though. Our songs are shallow and unimaginative.
Phil:
Actually, a black church is next on our list of churches to visit. (I just moved and am church shopping). It will certainly be different from what I’m used to. I look forward to it.
Tim:
I’ll give you that grammar rules are laxer for poetry. Still, I’d argue that is no excuse for poor writing. The Greats certainly bent and broke the rules, but when they did, they never left me scratching my head trying to figure out what they meant.
And again, I don’t hate all worship music. There is definitely a spectrum, and I have highlighted the extremes here. I love and hate songs in varying degrees. Overall, though most songs fall in the “leave it” category rather than the “take it.”
Oh, and yes, Blues does usually follow pretty simplistic structures. However, I would argue that it’s not the complexity of the structure, but the reinterpretation of standard music rules and the intense improvisation that make it unique. The simplistic structures are like the canvas that a blues artist paints on. It’s not the canvas that makes blues remarkable.
Dude,
I totally agree worship music has a long way to go before it becomes a legitimate expression of musical art. For the moment it will remain on the same shelves as tasteless Christian t-shirts.
Hymnology is indeed embedded with the preferred power systems of its day, references to military might and male superiority inhabit most songs.
How then do we go about the use of music in the church or rather should we go about music in the church at all?
–d
I think your critique is warranted, although I would stop short of altogether eliminating songs from the service.
As I was reading your post, I wondered how much CCM and the commercialization of worship songs have changed how the average American church service treats church music. It seems like a sharp contrast to many of the great hymns and spirituals that were written as very personal expressions of worship, coming out of an individual’s or people group’s specific experiences. Your thoughts?
My church did an interesting experiment this spring – the congregation was asked to submit phrases describing something about God specific to our individual lives, and then one of the girls in the worship band composed a “thanksgiving” song out of them. I haven’t really formed an opinion of the exercise, but it was different, organic, and interactive. And it’s not on itunes.
I have for a long time been a supporter of the idea that worship music should come directly out of the experience of the Church body if possible.
The hookup being that many churches are below the 100 person mark and hardly have the ability to play any live music.
I’d like to find a path around the idea that worship is performance. Note when someone performs if they are the tiniest bit off key or if they are not supreme performers then some are inclined to complain or dismiss it, or even worse decide not to return like they had gone to a sub-par concert.
Whatever happened to just loving-God and trying to represent that?
Now, see, it’s stuff like what Danae’s church did that I can appreciate. I like the idea that the point of worship is to express our creativity. Just as God is the Creator, we should mimic this. I like the idea of worship being local expressions, with context and meaning to the community out of which it comes.
Like Dave said, I realize this presents a challenge to the myriad of small congregations. However, I’d rather sit through a sub-par, off-key, even downright awkward worship set which involved unique and personal expressions of creativity, than I would a perfectly executed, highly produced worship concert by talented musicians.
And finally, why limit worship to music? Have someone read a poem, or share a painting, or a dance. Or have everyone paint or write or dance, then share what they have created.
This is incredibly transparent.
I too have a problem with shallow lyrics – and also ‘off topic’ lyrics in worship.
However, worse than that are people who claim to be “Christian” simply so they can justify sending a barrage of criticism on the church. It’s so incredibly hypocritical. With all due respect, from what I can see here, you are no more “Christian” than the Pope is a Honda Civic.
Look, simply calling myself a bird, doesn’t make it true (even if I were raised in a nest). You say you are a Christian, but definitely are not. In fact, I would be willing to bet that you don’t know even the true definition of being a Christian. And in the off chance you did learn the true definition, judging by your other posts, I’m guessing you would outright renounce it in favor of the other religions you’re currently dabbling in. Which in turn would prove my point.
Therefore your comments on worship (Christian worship at least) are frankly… well… irrelevant. Worship is an expression between man and God – period. A third party, non-committed, angry, chip-on-shoulder, onlooker (like you) has no substantial relevance in the equation at all.
You are certainly free to state you opinion, as you obviously have. But don’t fool yourself into thinking a true Christian would take your comments seriously.
Rob:
If you knew me better, you would know that I don’t claim Christianity to justify criticizing the church. Despite its flaws, I’m desperately loyal to the church. Therefore, I seek to constructively criticize it.
Furthermore, you make several faulty assumptions about me. I am intimately familiar with “the true definition of being a Christian” that you subscribe to. Secondly, I’ve never really “dabbled” in other religions. I’ve only ever practiced Christianity.
I will concede that my understanding of Jesus’ message probably differs from yours. Nevertheless, as one who has devoted himself to following Jesus’ commands, seeking to live and do what Jesus said, and actively participating in the church, my opinions are not invaluable to other fellow Christians. However, a basis of mutual respect must exist if our dialogue is yield anything of value. If you wish to continue discussion, please show some respect for my beliefs and experiences.
You’ve not the balls, nor the creativity to step in and usefully contribute do you? You’re funny and observant and clever, but what else do you accomplish? Contribute, man! Do something! What do YOU see as the solution to it all? Give an example of how/where- on this side of heaven- it’s done correctly (to YOUR pleasure). Defend your subjective and frightened heart.
Funny thing, I don’t even know you, just the bullshit I hear from people like you, who will inevitably end up defending themselves against a new generation of whiny, christians. . . JUST LIKE YOU, when you yourself can no longer offer (or adequately critique) what earthly and human system best praises God. This is Bullshit, man!
Balls up!!! Are you a believer in the almighty and sovereign GOD?! You don’t think He laughs at your ridiculous efforts too?
BALLS UP!!!
Wow, it’s so rare and refreshing to hear the words “balls” and “almighty, sovereign God” used in such proximity. Did I hit a nerve?
Well, I’m not really sure what it is you want me to contribute. I’ve offered some constructive criticism (with a little sarcasm). That’s contributing, I’d say. Or did you have something different in mind?
If you were paying attention in the original post, I do list several examples of worship which I find beautiful and inspiring. However, if you’d like me to elaborate on what I consider meaningful worship, I will. Anything that demonstrates the creative capacity all humans possess, the first characteristic of God which the Bible describes.
So God is laughing at my efforts… why exactly?