I’m wrestling with something.
A couple of weeks ago, an acquaintance said that her Denver-area church had sung the Guns N’ Roses’ hit “Paradise City” during its worship service. I considered those lyrics and wondered how they could inspire Christians. Sure, I see the universal longing for heaven in GNR’s words, but there’s “other stuff” present, too.
And a few days ago as I did Internet research (it’s not always a gateway to random, ADD-driven web surfing!), I watched a church’s worship service online. One of the songs performed was Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” I stared at the monitor and, again, tried to understand how those lyrics could be worshipful.
It isn’t that I categorically dismiss secular music in church. But I just can’t get why these—and other songs, such as Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” CCR’s “Bad Moon Rising,” or The Beatles’ “Revolution”—are supposed to engender a constructive environment of praise. Sure, I enjoy The Beatles, but I don’t want to sing their stuff in church. Maybe others have good reason for wanting to, though—and I’m asking questions as I process.
Since Scripture gives us the guidelines for worship, shouldn’t the content of our worship songs always be precisely scriptural and holy? And the Apostle Paul told us to sing with our minds in worship (1 Corinthians 14:15), because worship is based on truth, not partial truth. So is just being emotionally moved by a song enough to make it worthy of being used during worship?
Besides this, most secular bands have no intention of praising God with their music, not to mention the fact (again) their lyrics can contradict biblical wisdom. There’s usually no motive to bring glory to God, which is a Christian’s ultimate purpose (1 Corinthians 10:31). Should this be a factor when choosing songs?
So I’m left pondering the question: Are churches watering down and compromising worship services by “mixing and matching” the secular and the holy? Or should secular songs be used as sermon tools and/or praise music?
Recent Comments