American Christianity and the Individualized Gospel

 [Queue overused joke/phenomenon of being scared or disinterested in talking to our neighbors vs. “the good ol’ days when everyone knew and talked to everyone else”]

Huge caveat here that this post is specifically focused on churches in the US. Why? Because that’s what I’ve experienced. Yes, I have travelled around the world but not extensively, and certainly not enough to speak about church elsewhere. And even these general statements are broad brushstrokes to be sure. Different regions of the US (and local congregations) cannot be judged by what’s said here. 

I would think generally, though, that the culture of the US is becoming more individualized. Sure, we come together for parties or sporting events or graduations. But by and large, we like to keep to ourselves, our families, and our immediate circles. The pandemic certainly didn’t help this. We were shoved into isolation for large portions of time, and we are still seeing side affects of this, regardless of age, occupation, gender, personality, and other background traits.

Individualism and commercialism go hand in hand. What’s in it for me? How does x or y benefit me? Commercials scream at us about how this product will make our life better. Politicians literally scream at us about how they will improve our daily living. We save for retirement to make future years more comfortable than they would be otherwise. 

Asking for help is usually a last resort. Admitting a failure or mistake is gut wrenching—mostly because culture or community or even friends/family may even completely abandon us. We are forced often to depend on ourselves.

Again, I can’t speak of cultures globally, and I don’t want to stereotype too much, but I know at least ancient cultures were not this way. Commitment to family and community was much stronger. (Of course, there were exceptions). I believe and have researched/heard a bit from others/friends/scholars that Eastern cultures typically have a closer bond. 

Culture is one thing. The real issue is when the Lone Ranger mentality creeps into the church. If I think that I can follow Jesus all by lonesome, I’m severely mistaken. Granted, people are morons. They make mistakes. They lie, annoy, and refuse to listen. They get angry and prideful. And that’s just those who claim to know Jesus.

I have been in a local church since before I was born. I have seen the best and the worst of Christians—well, not the worst. But I am well aware of our greatest sins throughout history, and I am appalled. 

And when I enter conversation with those equally disgusted, I concede much of our errors, and my errors. 

But this is not that time. 

This is a call to remember that the church is the bride of Christ. He loved/loves her. He died for her. And if anyone thinks they can love/follow Jesus and not the church, they don’t love Jesus.

Love is a weird word, though, because sometimes it can mean calling out our errors and flaws. Sometimes it can mean serving and being fully involved in ministry. Sometimes it can mean giving all we have to those in need. Sometimes it can mean cheering for others as they do what we are unable to do.

Here are some specific ways that this mindset of an “individualized gospel” can play out in the American church:

Attendance: This may seem too obvious, but if someone does not see himself/herself as integral to the body of Christ, he/she will not gather with other believers. We have seen this since the pandemic, and in many cases, that’s ok. I’m not arguing for putting people in danger. Personal health is an important factor, and everyone must make their own decisions. 

But as a chaplain I enter many homes where the recurring chorus is “We went to church up until the pandemic. Now it’s just harder to go.” And the patient may or may not have extended family nearby. But every time, my heart skips a beat, knowing there’s a whole community of people waiting with gross potato salad and stale rolls. A merry band of individuals to come pray, read books, sing songs, play Checkers, anything to make each day more memorable and bring joy. Could the local church reach out automatically and do all this? I suppose. But if someone stops coming for years, it’s awfully difficult to expect a church to keep up with illnesses or family history. At least inform them of the circumstances. 

Worship: This is no time to debate every lyric of Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation. If we put several hymns and modern CCM songs side by side, we would see strengths and weaknesses to each. Some of the same criticisms could be leveled against both. One of those is the “me-centered” ness that is usually ascribed to modern songs (and I would agree it’s more of an issue with newer songs). Salvation is about what Jesus has done for “me,” what “I” receive, “my” new life/rescue, etc. None of which is wrong, inaccurate. But we need a more balanced emphasis on two things: (1) God’s glory, which is the end of salvation and (2) a corporate view of salvation (see below)

Service/Missions: Maybe this doesn’t follow as much. But I wonder if it’s easier to give online or write a check than to give of time or energy due to an individualistic mindset. Would we rather give $100 than a week or two to serve? Or would we rather buy some groceries than go serve the poor in a low-income neighborhood or at the kitchen downtown? I don’t know. I haven’t surveyed anyone. Just thoughts.

Does it affect our theology?

Church language: How many times do we use the word “church” for its local vs. global use? Yes, the apostles wrote letters to local churches (perhaps to regions composed of local churches). Elders are appointed over local churches. Church membership is important on a local level; otherwise, the commands of accountability and authority are pretty moot. But I wonder if the 59 one another statements apply in a local or global context? Am I only supposed to forgive those in my local gathering? Definitely not. Am I only supposed to pray for those who come to the same building as me on Sunday? That’s silly.

We think of the global church once in a while, but a more consistent view would eliminate petty arguments. It would elevate the essentials within the church. We would be more unified. We would value diversity. We would focus on Jesus, because He unites all peoples in Him (Rev 7-8).

Atonement: I have been reviewing this major doctrine for a month or so, and I haven’t read any major books, yet. I like what I heard where the Bible doesn’t care about theories or view of “atonement.” It’s more like the death of Jesus is one of the most simple, yet complex events in history. The implications of it are drastic for all history. It’s mentioned throughout the NT, and nearly every song alludes to its effects. But the more I read the verses, I notice some repeated themes. Here are some of the major verses that mention substitution as we like to talk about Jesus’ death. 

Isaiah 53:1-12  Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.  (**Needs more notes later, but Isaiah has a couple passages on Israel as the “servant.” To apply the term to an individual here is possible. The NT certainly applies it to Jesus, but that’s looking back.)

2 Corinthians 5:21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Colossians 2:13-15 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Hebrews 2:17  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Romans 5:8  But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Romans 8:32  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Ephesians 1:14 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ...

Romans 5:17-19 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

I can’t discuss all these passages here. NT Wright would say, “Ok, now let’s go back to the Gospels and see what the story is behind the crucifixion.” But the one thing that jumps out at me here is that Jesus always died “for all,” “for many,” or simply “for sin.” 

What’s missing? Me, my, I. Did Jesus die as a sacrifice? Yes. Did He did instead of someone? Sure. Instead of me for my sin that deserves just punishment for all eternity (i.e., God’s outpouring of wrath)? If you want to say it that way. 

What makes much more sense to me through the narrative and in these passages here is the idea of corporate solidarity. Whether it’s Adam or Israel, both failed. Paul says, In Adam all died. Israel failed in her mission as well. Corporate solidarity has an individual represent a group. It’s similar to covenantal headship, where the family head represents the family. Jesus came and represents Israel, fulfilling her mission, obeying the Law perfectly. As He is murdered unjustly, He is able to become the Suffering Servant and take her sins onto Himself.

Multiple theories of atonement can be simultaneously true.

My point here is that we nearly always see Jesus dying for sins of the people. And if I as an individual am “in Christ” then my sin is forgiven as well. I love when I see tweets about not accepting Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I personally accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Big difference.

Personal/Individual

We do have one verse with the 1st person singular pronoun, but this seems to be unique.

Galatians 2:20 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

V. 16-21 is heart of the letter and v. 17 has the plural “sinners.” Paul seems to be using himself as an example here. He discusses his relationship with the law, how it brought death, but also how he fulfills its demands “in Christ.” (Not to mention the whole NPP debate in v. 20 with “faith” vs “faithfulness” of the Son of God.) 

I am not really trying to persuade any one of anything. I’m just thinking through the texts and what makes most sense to me at this point. Even in Galatians 2:20, there’s unity “with Christ” so corporate solidarity is in view. Jesus giving life “for me” doesn’t mention sin directly here, though it is relevant to the passage. This seems to combine the themes of conquering kingdom, rescue, and also substitution. Nevertheless, it’s one verse that has a singular pronoun vs. all the others with plurals, and I would suggest our teaching reflects the same ratio.

This is not to resort to the heresy of thinking someone gains eternal life simply because of “religious heritage” or association. “I’ve been in church my whole life” or “my dad’s a preacher” excuses. This is still an individual decision, but I will probably emphasize the corporate side of the atonement or at least look for it throughout Scripture. And I will look for ways to emphasize community, both local and global over this me and Jesus religion.

In conclusion, for this subject, I never understood the theology of the atonement within the narrative of the gospels (as a kid or even now as adult). I know and believe the truths. I know the verses. But how does a voluntary, even every day occurrence of a death translate to a sacrifice for all mankind, or a payment, or fill in the blank on a cosmic scale? I think this makes much more sense in a corporate, representative sense. And of course, I as an individual am part of the people who gained life and forgiveness because of Jesus’ death. Nothing really changes except a renewed focus on belonging to a group. 

We could probably find other areas of theology where an individualistic mindset is harmful, such as eschatology (trying to get to heaven vs. building for kingdom community). But I think this is sufficient for now. 

Malachi 1:1-14

“What follows is divine revelation. The word of the Lord came to Israel through Malachi: “I have shown love to you,” says the Lord, but you say, “How have you shown love to us?” “Esau was Jacob’s brother,” the Lord explains, “yet I chose Jacob and rejected Esau. I turned Esau’s mountains into a deserted wasteland and gave his territory to the wild jackals.” Edom says, “Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.” So the Lord who rules over all responds, “They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as the land of evil, the people with whom the Lord is permanently displeased. Your eyes will see it, and then you will say, ‘May the Lord be magnified even beyond the border of Israel!’” “A son naturally honors his father and a slave respects his master. If I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? The Lord who rules over all asks you this, you priests who make light of my name! But you reply, ‘How have we made light of your name?’ You are offering improper sacrifices on my altar, yet you ask, ‘How have we offended you?’ By treating the table of the Lord as if it is of no importance! For when you offer blind animals as a sacrifice, is that not wrong? And when you offer the lame and sick, is that not wrong as well? Indeed, try offering them to your governor! Will he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the Lord who rules over all. But now plead for God’s favor that he might be gracious to us. “With this kind of offering in your hands, how can he be pleased with you?” asks the Lord who rules over all. “I wish that one of you would close the temple doors, so that you no longer would light useless fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord who rules over all, “and I will no longer accept an offering from you. For from the east to the west my name will be great among the nations. Incense and pure offerings will be offered in my name everywhere, for my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord who rules over all. “But you are profaning it by saying that the table of the Lord is common and its offerings despicable. You also say, ‘How tiresome it is.’ You turn up your nose at it,” says the Lord who rules over all, “and instead bring what is stolen, lame, or sick. You bring these things for an offering! Should I accept this from you?” asks the Lord. “There will be harsh condemnation for the hypocrite who has a valuable male animal in his flock but vows and sacrifices something inferior to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord who rules over all, “and my name is awesome among the nations.””

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭14‬ ‭ 

Have you ever experienced a situation that just made the room stop in silence and made everyone ask, What just happened? Maybe there’s a room full of people (classroom, auditorium, restaurant), and you may or may not notice someone is abnormally quiet. Their mood may change throughout the course of the event.

Someone happens to say just the wrong thing. And the person explodes. That happened to be the worst day ever for whatever reason, and they go off about who knows what. (And they could have very valid reasons). But now everybody’s a jerk, can’t do anything right, and should just leave them alone. 

Then there’s an awkward silence after the individual storms out and glances back and forth that say, “What just happened?”

This also happens on a city or national level. Every city that has a massive shooting is forced to take a step back and sacrifice their differences with each other for a while and just stand in shock for a second. 

9/11 was the shock of my generation to many Americans. And though the military was forced to react quickly, the reaction of the populace was “Woah. What was that? And why did it happen? Because that can’t happen again. What just happened? We need to do whatever we can to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

And we know that real tragedies can lead people either toward a dependency on God or harden them to accepting God, because after all how could a loving God allow something so catastrophic? We see that back then, and we see it now every day. The problem of evil and suffering is always going to be a hang up for a lot of people, and I don’t blame them. 

But what about those who belong to God? What about those called by His name and are in a relationship with Him? That relationship clearly does not mean we escape hardship. We are still going to have “What just happened?” events that don’t make sense. 

Yet, in between those times I wonder, how is our worship to our God? When you right now think of the majesty and glory of God, and the quality of worship He receives from you, do the two correlate very well? Or does your worship of God, through your singing, through your service, through your fellowship, through your prayer reflect a skewed view of God, a higher view of yourself than deserved, and are you offering God second or third best?

Israel had the same problem, and we see this in the book of Malachi. He teaches two main truths about God that will free us from this mindset that God is only worth halfhearted worship.

First, Israel had a huge, “What just happened?” moment. We call it the exile. Sure, they disobeyed the law for years and worshiped false gods, but they were in a covenant relationship with the one true God. What was there to fear? Well, the covenant for one thing, which said if you disobey, I’ll send you into exile. So after hundred of years of mercy, God was faithful to His Word, and He allowed them to be captured, and cities destroyed, and the temple leveled. Horrible circumstances for God’s people. But how could this happen? Wouldn’t God’s name be blasphemed? Doesn’t matter. Israel needed to be disciplined. So 70ish years later and in three stages, they were able to return. The temple was rebuilt, but it wasn’t nearly as beautiful. The walls around Jerusalem were rebuilt. So they were back and functioning, but things were nearly as good as before. And the collective mindset is sideways glances back and forth, “What was that? Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

And so Israel was certain to try to follow the rules this time, but their confidence in God’s love was not as strong. And when you focus on doing the right things without loving God and knowing that He loves you, you’re going to start messing up. 

Let’s gain some encouragement from Malachi 1.

Read vv. 1-5. 

See, the first thing God reminds them of is His love for them, but they don’t believe Him. 

Did you see that in v. 2? “How have you loved us?” And God answers with a history lesson way back in Genesis with the two sons of Isaac: Jacob and Esau. One son turned into the nation of Israel. The other son became the nation of Edom. And God says, I chose you, Israel, to love, and make a covenant with and give my law and protect. Edom, I have destroyed. They were wicked, and I punished them, and even though they tried to rebuild, they will never be prosperous. And even though they came from the same father, I chose to love you. You didn’t do anything to earn my blessing. And here you are, after these hundreds of years of my faithfulness to you as a people, and asking, “How do we know that you love us?”

And because they don’t believe Him, their service to Him is affected. Then why are they even serving Him? Obligation? Fear? Tradition? All of which are not bad in their own right, but if there is no proper foundation of love in a relationship, it is no relationship. 

A healthy fear of who He is as the Almighty able to squash me at any moment— so I better straighten up— mindset is good, but I better be comfortable in resting in the fact that He loves me, and I love Him. OR what? My service to Him is going to be second rate at best. My worship, my prayers, my evangelism, my study of His word is going to be flippant if I do it, and it’s going to be half-hearted. And that’s how Israel struggled, too.

Themes in vv. 6-14:

Despising God’s name (v. 6, 12)-How? Offering polluted food upon the altar. 

So because they glad to be back home and have a temple, they are living the normal life of a Jew again. But they’re still recovering from the exile. They don’t fully believe that God is on their side or that He is worthy of the highest praise. And so their worship is sort of blah. God says you are despising my name. What are they doing?

Offering polluted offerings (blind, sick animals; v. 8, 13, 14)

I have this nice fat, healthy lamb, but you know, is God really worth that anymore? I have to sacrifice because it’s required or else He might punish me, so I’ll give Him something, but I can’t give the mean ol’ boss my favorite, or the best, or the fattest. 

God says two things in response: I’m going to go backwards. Second, He says,

God’s name great/ feared among the nations (v. 11, 14): This is speaking of something future from Malachi’s perspective. Since Israel was still not treating God with the obedience and respect and love that He deserved, they would be set aside, and the gospel would be sent out to the Gentiles. Now, that was always the plan, even back in Genesis 12. God told Abraham that He would be a blessing to all the nations. Israel’s rebellion would not thwart that plan, and God’s point here is that His majesty and His kingship is so great, that the nations will worship Him, and they will fear Him despite Israel’s failures. 

But, first, His number one advice is until then …

Just shut the doors of the temple (v. 10). Stop fooling around. I don’t want your sacrifices, if this is what I get. If you seriously can’t see all that I’ve done for you, and you doubt my love; if you seriously don’t see my as the majestic King that I am; and if the best you can offer is a sick lamb, then just shut the whole thing down. I’ll wait until my name is feared and praised among the Gentiles.

Flip on over to 2 Chronicles 28. We actually hear of the temple activities being shut down before Israel went into exile. But it wasn’t anything like this. This is a king of Israel who made a terrible decision. READ vv. 1-4. Jump down to vv. 22-25. So we have Ahaz here at one of Israel’s lowest points before Hezekiah comes on the scene, one of Israel’s high points, actually shutting down the temple in order to elevate the idol worship and set up altars to the foreign gods. We saw him already completely paganized with offering his own children. This is a wicked dude, and now in Malachi, God says, Israel, your half-hearted, lame lambs your trying to sacrifice to me, just keep it. Shut the doors, because it’s meaningless to me. It’s about as valuable as Ahaz setting up idols. 

I don’t want you serving and praising me simply out of tradition or obligation. I want you to know that I love you. And I want you to love me. And I want you to know that I am your King, and that I have been faithful to you for hundreds—at this point, almost a thousand— years. I’m committed to you as a people because I love you, and until you recognize that, and until you love me and are going to enter into a healthy, respectful, honoring, committed, yet heart-filled relationship with Me, then forget it. 

And the parallel with modern Christianity isn’t too hard to see here. Why do you pray or not pray? Why do you read your Bible or not? Why do you serve others? I’ve asked this before, but when you come to church, what is your attitude; what is your focus? Where is your heart? When you approach Jesus and this Christianity mindset, and when you think of God, what are you offering to Him, your best or second or third rate service? Because He doesn’t want that. He doesn’t deserve that. He’d rather you don’t give Him anything than give Him a lame or sick lamb. Just don’t sing if you’re going to be thinking about lunch or going back to sleep or other things you have to get done the whole time. 

Just don’t serve if you’re going to be looking to get paid or use it as blackmail or use it to look better than someone else who didn’t do anything. You know these are just a couple ways that demonstrate that we are going through motions because we know it’s right, but our relationship with God is off kilter. 

But when we recognize how committed, faithful, and loving He is (1) and how majestic, Sovereign, and worthy He is as our King (2), we will recognize a heart change within ourselves and a willingness to offer Him our best. Then we can be part of that Gentile number who praises and fears and glorifies His name, as the God who loves His children, provides for them, cares for them, and is so worthy of our true and free worship.

Theology of Worship

We know that God is one God, the only one worthy of praise and glory. When we understand His power, majesty, holiness, sovereignty, grace, and faithfulness, we usually have a desire to respond to Him. We want to thank Him for all He does, and we desire for Him to intervene in our lives. All of this is tied up in this idea of worship.

What is worship in its most general sense?

o   Romans 12:1-2: Paul calls upon Christians to offer bodies as a living sacrifice. He labels this action as spiritual worship. Our daily lives are an offering of worship to God.

o   So “worship” is not just from 11:00-12:00 on Sunday morning. Not just when using phrases/concepts like “worship songs,” “worship service,” various postures of worship or places of worship

Why then do we gather on Sunday for a time of corporate “worship”? 

OT: God always had a location, methods, and reasons for His people to worship Him. There were specific times (or after awesome experiences) to praise Him—usually through sacrifices.

Jesus came and changed the structure entirely. We now have continual access to God. Worship can occur at any time because Jesus is the greatest Priest.

So can’t I magnify God’s name on my own? Yes. Can’t I worship God through service throughout the week? Yes. We just learned that “worship” should be done 24/7.  

What is the added benefit of coming together for worship? Edification. When I see someone else praising God or praying/expressing dependence on God, I realize I am not alone. It builds me up in faith. It’s impossible to have a thriving faith journey alone. 

Is this only done through singing? No. We have prayer, preaching, fellowship. By focusing our attention on our great God, our spirit is refreshed, recharged, and sent back out to share Him with others.

What’s the responsibility of the church member as he or she comes into the building? On one hand, they have been loving God and neighbor, serving others all week long. They have been “worshipping” each day, so nothing changes. There is nothing special about the building or specified hour, because God is always with them. On the other hand, this is the body of Christ and an opportunity to grow in faith more than you gain throughout the week. This is where we disciple others. And “recharging” as a body requires focusing on God and engaging with His truth in song, prayer, and exhortation.

What’s the responsibility of the worship team and/or pastors? Is their job to hit the perfect notes? To smile? To give the most dynamic analogy? It doesn’t hurt (I’ve sat through some doozies, and you know what? It’s always okay. Sometimes the best Sundays are when mistakes happen. We are not perfect, nor called to be. But it doesn’t hurt to check the slides for typos.) But that can’t be primary. The most essential job is to help everyone who walks in the door to engage with God. He can resolve their worries, stresses, burdens, temptations, pains, and afflictions. In a phrase, remove distractions. Get them from Mon-Sat mindset to seeing glory of God.

What’s the different between excellence and perfection?

Goes back to that phrase “removing distractions.” If we are pursuing perfection, then we come across as ingenuine or a business model of church.

On the other hand, what are some distractions that churches can work on removing? Well, that’s where we talk about practicing songs. Proper temperature. Smiling. Time of service. Putting songs in keys that people can sing, and not making it performance based. (Any hint of selfish desire, and worship is tainted.)

So our goal is to connect people with God week after week (and with other people). Doesn’t everyone agree on this? Why is there so much disagreement over worship services?

The best direction we were given was from Jesus. Worship in spirit and truth. “Truth” means what we proclaim has to be true. We’ll come back to that. “Spirit” means we must have the proper mindset or attitude towards God while worshipping. We can’t just move our lips or be mindless.

But beyond those two things, Jesus didn’t give the “How?” So there is disagreement on the “best” ways to direct people’s attention to God. How do we best do that? What style of singing is best? What songs do we sing? What value is there to emotion in music? All questions have merit. And the answers really don’t change, depending on what century you survey.

I was always taught that a sermon was supposed to Feed the Mind, Stir the Emotions, and Challenge the Will. Is it possible for music to do the same?

·         Feed Mind: Jesus did say “Be true.” It should point us to the truth. Lots of debate over types of songs that we sing. 

Where is the line of “poetic license”? Do we require song writers to have theology degrees or to quote the Psalms?   

Hymns with Bad Theology (Just a few examples)

o   Alfred Ackley: “He Lives” written from frustration with preacher who denied resurrection. Personal experience is valuable but cannot be our primary apologetic. We will be considered insane.

o   Blessed Assurance:

      Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love

o   Jesus cried as a baby, too. So no more “Away in a Manger.”

Modern Worship Songs with Bad Theology

Kari Jobe: Forever

·         One final breath He gave 
As heaven looked away
The Son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken

·         Above All: “Like a rose, trampled on the ground, You took the Fall and thought of me above all.”

·         What a Beautiful Name: Hillsong “You didn’t want heaven without us, so Jesus, you brought heaven down.” Is God not self-sufficient, or this just license for how much God loves us?

·         Typical arguments against worship songs: repetitive, modern romance language for God, not theologically deep, man-centered/ not God-centered. We can go to the Psalms and hymns with the same arguments, but yes, these are fair critiques. Each song should be critiqued on its own merit.

 

·         Stir Emotions: Where is the balance here? We are humans. We have emotions and feelings. David gave us all the emotions in Psalms: anger, worry, fear, joy, despair, confidence. We can’t be stoic in worship. Is there a line we shouldn’t cross? Is it simply “distractions” or are there other metrics? (Maybe 1 Corinthians 14–decently and in order comes into play). 

·         Challenge Will: This may be considered the weakest point, but how can music provoke us to action? (And not just dancing, haha)

For the sake of the question, let’s consider Christian music. If we are singing about God’s power, love, Christ’s death, etc., a particular lyric may encourage us to surrender our life, to forgive someone, to pray, to have faith.

Once we nail down a theology of worship, both how it affects daily life as well as why we gather for corporate services, we can plan those services accordingly.