Ideas Trend
Here is a corollary to Richard Weaver’s proposition that “ideas have consequences.” Not only do ideas have consequences, ideas don’t stand still. Ideas move relentlessly toward their point of focus, taking the path of least resistance.In the world of Christian music it often plays out this way:
A church leader has an idea to bridge his congregation into more contemporary music, teaching them his own caveats and specific guidelines. A few decades later the church is indistinguishable from the world in its musical presentation. Their initial goal was to incorporate fresh new styles into the church and the church has trended in that direction. The new leaders see nothing wrong with their worship style, but they do wonder why so many young adults are leaving the church to pursue sinful lifestyles.
Another, increasingly common, scenario goes like this:
A church leader has an idea to repackage the Gospel to appeal to his own community, teaching the things of God through a culture-oriented style. A few decades later the church values self-expression in worship more than the Word of God. Their initial goal was to build upon people’s natural interests and strengths and the church has trended in that direction. The new leaders see nothing wrong with their worship practices, but wonder why so many people struggle with sin habits and need more and more counseling.In developing our ideas of worship music, a vital question to ask is, “What is our point of focus?”
If we focus on music style—be it conservative, contemporary, or a crossbreed of the two—we will eventually lose sight of what is truly important. The point of worship is not style. It is not traditional, conservative, contemporary, experimental, cultural, blended, or anything like that.
Our GOAL for worship is not to uphold a style.
Our OBJECTIVE in worship is not to engage people.
And the point of discussing worship music is NOT to:
- agree to disagree.
- create lists of “acceptable” songs that meet some technical criteria.
- find a style that everyone tolerates.
- incorporate or defend a style.
- reach people using “their” music.
The HEART of worship, the OBJECT of worship, the REASON we worship is so obvious we hardly ever stop to think about it.
Jesus Christ Alone
The whole point, object, focus, and meaning of worship is the LORD God, Who is revealed in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is made known to us by His Holy Spirit. This is what separates and isolates Christianity from all other religions and unites us. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only living God and that He alone forgives our sins by grace through faith, not by our own works of righteousness or human wisdom.The ONLY unifying goal and object of worship that we have is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing else in Christendom or on earth that can bridge our differences. (If we think there is, we are being badly misled.)
Jesus calls His followers to unite together in love—to the point of being defrauded of what is rightfully and lawfully ours (I Corinthians 6:7; Romans 14). Unity requires loving sacrifice, humility, and mutual submission.
But in the bonds of unity and love we are also called to teach, remind, warn, and rebuke one another. Just “accepting” one another and tolerating whatever happens in corporate worship will not unify us, nor edify God’s people, nor build up the Body of Christ, nor grow our faith/trust in God. Sometimes we need to gently remind each other to return to our First Love, Jesus Christ.
Passive Christianity results in religious bondage (cults).
Uninhibited Christianity results in religious tyranny or anarchy.
True unity and love are only found in Jesus Christ. The Bible promises God’s people will be conformed into Christ’s likeness (Romans 8:28–29). This promise is our only hope of achieving true unity.
Behold, Unity
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another...” (I John 1:7).Jesus Christ is the ultimate inspiration, example, model, instructor, and judge of everything that is creative and beautiful.
- Does our music trend toward Jesus Christ at every level?
- Do we consciously seek to exalt HIM and emulate HIS character in the words, tone, emotion, performance, and defense of our favorite music?
- What is He like?
- What is His nature and character?
- What does He like and dislike?
- What are His motives?
- What does the Bible say about Him?
- Does our worship music fitly represent Who Jesus Christ Is?
- Will the world know from our musical witness that in Him is no darkness at all? (I John 1:5)
These are the kinds of questions that are rarely (if ever) discussed when Christian leaders seek to define Biblical worship practices. Why is this not our first line of reasoning? Is Jesus too basic? Too esoteric? Too unrealistic? Too theoretical? Too unrelated? If so, there is a bigger problem than a difference of opinion over worship styles.
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 12:3).In our quest to glorify God and to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, may the Lord Jesus Christ be our preeminent inspiration.
