This is my first inter-blog dialogue. My Twitter friend, Tami (a worship leader from
MUSIC IS POWERFUL. Music is wonderful. Music is inspiring. Music is an instrument of worship.
As powerful and useful as music is, however, it is not the object of worship. It is man using God-created notes, and utilizing our God-reflected creative ability to sing about the Creator and His work. Any time it becomes more than that we have to step back and ask “who is really being worshipped through this music?” Unfortunately, the conversation about music usually talks more of the music (its uniqueness or creativity) or the musician(s) than the Creator. That is problematic – especially in “Christian music.” See Romans 1:25.
“Worship music,” as it is labeled (and a topic worthy of its own blog postings), is the musical section at a Christian bookstore. A true musician who is transformed by God knows of no other type of music. If they write and sing a “love” song, it is based in and reflects upon real love that is given by God for man and wife to share together. If they write a song about “What a Wonderful World” they rejoice in God’s Creation. The motivation for the songs they produce, the intended audience and their hearts as musicians are all founded in the same place – God, Himself. Music written solely as “worship” is odd to me because I did not know I was to classify or categorize my musical listenings, singings, and enjoyments. Worship is our attitude and response to God, not a musical selection.
Musical style is highly subjective. As Tami points out – what one person likes, another may loathe. I am not a major fan of K-Love for the same reasons as Tami; however, I know that my reasons for not liking it are because of my taste in music: (I like) indy-rock type music, some alternative, some rap, and not a lick of country (sorry country fans). I like music that sounds different, not cookie-cutter. I like deep lyrics that lead me to think and ponder. I also like fun songs that sing of true love, beautiful creation, passion, and that tell wonderful stories. I do not like much of K-Love-type music for two main reasons: (1) they seem to play the same music (or types of music – stuff that sounds the same) repeatedly, (2) I do not like a lot of the style(s) of songs they play (as I stated before).
To respond a little to Tami’s post, specifically…
“Now I know I’m coming off as a music snob; but music tastes are, you must admit, quite subjective.”
A danger indeed (sounding like a snob or pretentious) for all people in giving their opinion, especially since she conceded the fact that tastes are subjective (different from one person to the next). For Christians, however, being pretentious not only turns people away from us and our music, but away from the God we sing about and desire others to know.
“…I find what’s out there to be (overall) lyrically trite, musically lackluster and monotonous, and somewhat “un-anointed”…to be perfectly (and probably shockingly) frank.”
This is a pretty tough statement to make. I understand (and agree in large part) what she is saying, but to call music “un-anointed” is a slippery slope and all together problematic. Only God and His Spirit know what is anointed, we as fallible people can only guess. We do know what we like. We also know what moves us, but to call something “anointed” or “un-anointed” simply because it inspires or speaks to us (or doesn’t) is a conversation we are not capable of having because we are not objective beings.
“We need to starve in our hearts the notion of consumer Christianity, take the stars out of our eyes, stop wishing for Dove awards and seek the reward of knowing this Man who knows us so well.”
What a powerful conclusion! How different would much of Christian music look (on the radio or *gasp* in the church) if this happened?!?!
I appreciate your heart Tami – to serve Him, to love Him, to know Him and to help Him be known. I appreciate your passion for this subject. I just pray that as this dust settles, music or no music, we are all satisfied with and moved by the King of Splendor, the God of Wonders, the Great God, the Awesome God.
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