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Ignoring Bad Lyrics

Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
There's times at my Church that I won't sing certain songs or lyrics.

There's a CCM song that says "You are good" dozens of times or something. I purposefully stop singing at that point and think of God's actual attributes that MAKE Him Good. His holiness, justice, mercy, grace, creation, craftsmanship, love, etc.

There's another song that says something along the lines of "You died on the cross primarily because your love for us was so great". I refuse to sing that and think of God's majesty and His Glory, which is why He died on the cross for us. It's true that He loves us, but He did what He did for His glory primarily, and rightfully so.
 

Dr. Bob

Administrator
Administrator
There's another song that says something along the lines of "You died on the cross primarily because your love for us was so great". I refuse to sing that and think of God's majesty and His Glory, which is why He died on the cross for us. It's true that He loves us, but He did what He did for His glory primarily, and rightfully so.
Hard to get across to some folks that our salvation was a "collateral" result of the cross. To me, of course, it was THE purpose. He Saved ME!
I just didn't see the big picture.

But that makes salvation personal, too.
 

atpollard

Well-Known Member
There's times at my Church that I won't sing certain songs or lyrics.
It is strictly a personal thing with me, like not being able to eat meat if I knew it was offered to an idol … so I stand for any and every song that is focused on God, but I MUST (for conscience) sit for any song that sings of how lucky God is to have worshipers like us [there are a surprising number of songs that lift people at the expense of God’s glory].

I formerly worshipped at the the temple of nihilism and cannot ever return to anything that resembles that old life … it is like an alcoholic crossing the street and refusing to even walk near a bar.
 

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Blessed Assurance is not something we just sit on.

Just As I Am is only the middle phase between Just As I Was and Just As I Will Be.

I'm glad he did Send the Light, or we couldn't read those lyrics.
 

Aaron

Member
Site Supporter
I condemn songs that teach false doctrine. I even dropped using some hymns in church because of weak or poor theology. I love music and proud of teaching others to be careful of "Christian" music that is of questionable value.

So, this morning, on parole from FB jail, I am listening to Mozart and humming along to his 1791 Motet in D (most beautiful, worshipful music) and my bride asked what the lyrics were saying. I had paid little attention to the Latin, so translated the title for her, "Ave Verum Corpus" - this is the true body.

She followed up, asking what does that mean?

Well, it is a Eucharistic chant (as the priest holds up the wafer in holy communion) written by Pope Innocent III in the 13th Century. It teaches damnable heresy.

Oh, my.
Still living in the past.

You should have followed up with the answer. What is the true body? Answer: the Communion of the Saints.
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
@Dr. Bob

next time listen to the only Protestant Requiem that I know that was ever written


The Brahms Requiem.

Brahms took scriptures that brought a message of hope, a message of victory over pain and sorrow.

The opening of “Blessed are they that morn” is some of the most stirringly beautiful ever written.

There just is nothing to compare this wonderfully delicate work that compliments the quotation of Scriptures in music. Even the great Messiah by Handel filled with the melismatic and layering does not but bow to this from Brahms.

Before I cross over, I desire once more to lead a choir, and that they sing this requiem. I would even sit in a section and sing if necessary.

Here it is presented in English: https://youtu.be/aNdtdiIxvq8
 

JamesL

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I've noticed some of the most beautiful melodies are set to the most horrid lyrics.

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli (sp?)
Elevation Worship
Bethel Music

I love the way a lot of it sounds, and I can appreciate what some of them are attempting to convey. But I can't endorse the content.

Therefore, I listen with my heart.
My mind is on God.
And I sing along.
I look past theological problems in the lyrics.
And sometimes it brings me to tears because I know God is listening.
 

Marooncat79

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Actually had a little girl about 4? Who came from a family of horrible theology sing a song one time in worship where she openly denied the Trinity

Sadly, many thought it was sooo cute even though you could tell she was making it up as she went along

how bout that?

there are many many songs which should never be sung
 

Jerome

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Hillsong warbler Brooke Fraser Ligertwood has likened her songs to "poo":

Rich Wilkerson Jr.: "I'm just curious, and I think other people are curious. Like, songwriting, like, where does like the initial idea come from, typically, for you?"
.....
Brooke: "Songs are like poo."
.....
Brooke: "Where there's life, there's mess, and that's the reality of humanity and being in church. And I think all of that manure, for all its stench and warmth, fertilizes. (giggles)."

from 3:00-6:00
 
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Scripture More Accurately

Well-Known Member
I did seminars in many churches on a biblical view of music. Music IS neutral - black notes on white paper. Just like lyrics are neutral - black letters on white paper.

But what is done with that can be good, bad, neutral. And mediocre, vile, or lifting to the soul
I appreciate your efforts to promote good music, but I disagree profoundly with your teaching that music is neutral. There is not anything in the Bible to support such a notion.
 
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JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I appreciate your efforts to promote good music, but I disagree profoundly with your teaching that music is neutral. There is not anything in the Bible to support such a notion.
Perhaps, but at the same time there is not anything in the Bible supporting the idea that music carries a bias.
 

Dr. Bob

Administrator
Administrator
I disagree profoundly with your teaching that music is neutral. There is not anything in the Bible to support such a notion.
Perhaps you did not understand my point - music is black notes on white paper. THAT is "neutral". Now what is DONE with that - the performance or presentation - can be anything BUT "neutral". Sadly,
 

Scripture More Accurately

Well-Known Member
Perhaps you did not understand my point - music is black notes on white paper. THAT is "neutral". Now what is DONE with that - the performance or presentation - can be anything BUT "neutral". Sadly,
Maybe so. Lots of music, however, is not "black notes on white paper"; it is not notated.

All music that has ever been played or heard by humans is a collection of musical tones arranged or ordered in various ways. Do you believe that all of those collections of sounds are "neutral"?
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Perhaps you did not understand my point - music is black notes on white paper. THAT is "neutral". Now what is DONE with that - the performance or presentation - can be anything BUT "neutral". Sadly,
The alphabet is neutral, but words are not.

The same with music. The dots, lines, spaces, symbols,… are neutral.

The manner of composition and performance is not.
 

Scripture More Accurately

Well-Known Member
Perhaps, but at the same time there is not anything in the Bible supporting the idea that music carries a bias.
On the contrary, Scripture does show that various collections of audible sounds--which is what instrumental music also is--are not neutral. Some are not acceptable to God and others are acceptable to Him.
 
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