calebreedgordon
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Why is there such a massive debate over traditional worship music over praise and worship music?
More context at:
http://calebgordon.com/?p=3065
More context at:
http://calebgordon.com/?p=3065
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Why Is There Such a Battle OVER MUSIC??
- Thread starter calebreedgordon
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Maybe you can add more content here, since I don't know very many who would click over there since this is a shameless plug.
If you want to be a part of the conversation here, don't make us go there to engage with you.
If you want to be a part of the conversation here, don't make us go there to engage with you.
Christos doulos
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It's funny. There was a time when evangelicals were at odds with the fundamentalists about the worship music. Now the fundamentalists have softened on their stance somewhat, and now the evangelicals are odds with each other.
Goes to show how sin always causes us to go from one extreme to another. For me it's the volume. I went to one church where I thought it was a rock concert. I believe in making a joyful noise, but that was just noise.
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calebreedgordon
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Maybe you can add more content here, since I don't know very many who would click over there since this is a shameless plug.
If you want to be a part of the conversation here, don't make us go there to engage with you.
OK....
People will say ‘it’s about worship…hymns express worship better than praise and worship music…and vis-verse.
I get the core idea. It’s comfort. People like comfort, and things that they know.
Nevertheless the issue still stands.
And the sad thing is that is causes people to get REALLY angry.
There are moments that I sing a hymn and it feels as though Jesus literally walks in the room. Then there are times it’s just another song…
Then there are times that I sing a praise and worship song and the same thing applies…JESUS just showed up. And then…I’ll be singing a praise and worship song, and there is nothing. Just another song.
Why is it that so many people get so excited and awestruck in worship when they sing “In The Garden” (hymn) but if “The Revelation Song” (praise and worship song) comes on they automatically bristle up, and say ‘This song is no good.” and likewise someone will say ‘I HATE those old songs…”
The thing is that BOTH camps are horribly wrong.
The thing is that WORSHIP MUSIC IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!!!!
It is our response to our Savior, and there are moments that a hymn fits the moment, and God speaks through it, and your heart is blessed. Then there are times that a praise and worship chorus melts the heart and shows you a glimpse of who Jesus is. There is no set magic to one style of songs.
Shame on both camps of people who say ‘this is the ONLY way it should be done.’
#1 Stubbornness of age
#2 Ignorance of youth.
BOTH CAMPS need to learn to step out of their comfort zones, and look at the music as an avenue to worship Jesus.
For many of us, the issue is not between traditional music, and worship and praise music. The problem is when the music is very LOUD, BEATDRIVEN, and/or has a GROWLING accompliment sound; this type of music is irritating to those of us who are musically inclined and who love to worship with music that does not have either of those three characteristics. I have found that the objections of those who are not musically inclined, usually only involve the volume and length of the music part of the service.
maybe more of a generational debate?
maybe more of what was raised/exposed to as a believer?
I tend to see this discussion as like it was when first Elvis, then the beatles were said to be "evil/devil tools" by many Christians...
Looking back now...
They were boy scouts compared to what passes as real music for people today!
same way...
some say too much rock in church, too much beat etc....
others say still not enough!
Quoted for truth. We are to bring honor and glory to God and do what pleases HIM---not us.
In some ways it is about us.
If the music is part of corporate worship where are all invited or expected to sing, then the songs need to be ones that all can sing. Sometimes contemporary Christian songs that are used in corporate worship are very poor fits. I appreciate that the kids can sing them but they are better fits for solos or small ensembles rather than congregational corporate worship. I have no problem with new music but part of what makes worship music good or effective is that everyone can participate. If it is full of unpredictable runs and "creative" cadences then you leave out a large part of the congregation, not because they just don't like it, but because they can't sing it.
I was a part of a Church that featured this type of worship music. In reality it was a youth group with a Church support group wrapped around it. When I had no clue how to follow the singing I would just shut up and listen as if it were a special. Having the words on the projector was of no help because the words were not the issue; it was unpredictable cadence and excessive, whiney runs in songs that I do not believe were intended for congregational singing.
Everyone has their likes and dislikes when it comes to music and especially what we consider appropriate for church services. Personally, I love southern gospel music (particularly quartets) and would prefer having only that in church services. Unfortunately, I have no say in what music is used. I think the church I go to uses too much slow music and even sing faster songs too slow. Before anyone suggests I go elsewhere, it's the only Baptist church within 50 miles of me, and I no longer drive due to health and eye problems. The only other churches within that distance are a Methodist church and a Catholic church.
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calebreedgordon
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I can actually see your point in this, and would be totally fine with your reasoning on why you like the 'older stuff'
Thanks for the reply!
I think you've really nailed it here. I am not musically inclined but still share all those reasons for not liking contemporary music.
Someone said "it's not about you." Maybe not, but I don't see why I should sit (stand may be more appropriate here) through a service that does nothing but makes my blood pressure rise. In fact, I would rather be shoveling coal, milking cows or scrubbing toilets than listen to it. I don't listen to it or allow it to be played in my car, or my house, or my office. So why should I have to hear it on Sunday morning? Short answer, I don't and I won't.
Sometimes it can turn out not to be about the music, but about the service in general.
Some of the writers of praise and worship music are very clear that they are trying to engender an altered state where one is mystically in contact with God.
Now, if you happen to be one that believes the service should be proclamation of the Word of God rather than all about engendering emotional states, you find that offensive.
And on the other hand, if you are all about those goosebump moments you probably find the old hymns dry as dust.
Some of the writers of praise and worship music are very clear that they are trying to engender an altered state where one is mystically in contact with God.
Now, if you happen to be one that believes the service should be proclamation of the Word of God rather than all about engendering emotional states, you find that offensive.
And on the other hand, if you are all about those goosebump moments you probably find the old hymns dry as dust.
You may have missed the points I was making. I have been in some services with praise and worship music that were very moving (goosebump moments) and were a blessing. These services did not have the LOUD, Beat Driven, drum dominated, and harsh sounds which are so irritating with some contemporary music.
Well put! I always have a problem verbalizing my feelings, but this synopsis does it pretty well.
LOUD! I actually hurt (physically) from some of this extreme volume music.
GROWLING--! When the bass guitars start some of this NOISE, I actually feel an emotional urge to "break things"; IOW, something "primeval", that is not Christ-like, is stirred in me.
Also the monotonous repetition of a few phrases multiple times just gets plain boring.
If the contemporary style was all I had for worship, I would do with out music - and I DO love music, so that gives you an idea of how I really feel!
There is one reason music is polarizing and dividing.
It is because music speaks to the heart before the head.
That's why it is so very effective in music therapy sessions.
Example:
A song that is still highly popular and even sung in some churches is Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunke .
It is so loved not for the doctrinal truth, but the sweet lovely tune.
The message of the lyrics is about taking drugs in order to get past troubles. About sticking a needle in the body, shooting in the drugs to sooth all the troubles away.
The typical flesh oriented baby "believer" will generally choose the sound rather than the text. They will choose the elements and performance of the music over the truth of the Scriptures.
For instance:
In the old hymnals, there was a song that was Scripturally unsound.
"For the darkness will turn to the dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright.
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light."
It presents that the world was going to get better and better, and that God would somehow just be obliged to establish the Kingdom. ww-1, the great depression, and then especially ww-2 kind of messed with that weakness.
Anyway, that is why the music is so divisive.
Mature believers can't stay long in the shallows supporting the beginning learners, without getting really tired of it all and just wanting out.
It is because music speaks to the heart before the head.
That's why it is so very effective in music therapy sessions.
Example:
A song that is still highly popular and even sung in some churches is Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunke .
It is so loved not for the doctrinal truth, but the sweet lovely tune.
The message of the lyrics is about taking drugs in order to get past troubles. About sticking a needle in the body, shooting in the drugs to sooth all the troubles away.
The typical flesh oriented baby "believer" will generally choose the sound rather than the text. They will choose the elements and performance of the music over the truth of the Scriptures.
For instance:
In the old hymnals, there was a song that was Scripturally unsound.
"For the darkness will turn to the dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright.
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light."
It presents that the world was going to get better and better, and that God would somehow just be obliged to establish the Kingdom. ww-1, the great depression, and then especially ww-2 kind of messed with that weakness.
Anyway, that is why the music is so divisive.
Mature believers can't stay long in the shallows supporting the beginning learners, without getting really tired of it all and just wanting out.
Question: What about those who are musically inclined and do like the beat driven music with a bit of an edge to it (what you would consider growling)?
Not sure loud can be defined since the concept of loud is going to be different for different people.
Question: What about those who are musically inclined and do like the beat driven music with a bit of an edge to it (what you would consider growling)?
I have no problem with those who like the beat driven music providing I don't have to listen to it. The problem is some churches have changed from the good worship and praise music (both traditional and contemporary) to the irritating LOUD and beat driven music and expect those of us who do not like it to endure it.
Those who like the beat driven may be passively irritated by not having it. Those who do not like the beat driven music are actively irritated and uncomfortable having to listen to it.
Question: What you would consider growling?
It sounds like a low pitch growling. I never attended a rock music concert, but I am told it is prevalent there.
Not sure; I wasn't sure about the usage of the word growling...so not really sure if I'm understanding the context. I've also not been to a worship service that had music that was uncomfortable (course I have to state that with I've not been to too many worship services away from my church, so I'm probably not up on other churches use of uncomfortable music).
We have a contemporary service one Sunday evening a month, and we do some more contemporary praise music, but again nothing I would define as growling; some artists music that we cover in that service are artist's like Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Newsong, Michael W. Smith, etc...and we take some selections from our hymnal and change the tempo of the song or mix up the beat just a little bit, again though nothing I would really say is uncomfortable.
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