Comments on: Against Music*

By: One Last Quote Post « Ardent Cries

One Last Quote Post « Ardent Cries — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:16:48 +0000

[...] to return to regular posting. This week I thought I would pass on an outstanding blogpost from The Gospel Coalition website. It’s written by Greg Gilbert of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and it is [...]

By: Truth and/or music « The Wanderer

Truth and/or music « The Wanderer — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:44:32 +0000

[...] a comment » Greg Gilbert makes some helpfully unsubtle points regarding our tendency to be moved emotionally by the music to which we sing truth rather than the [...]

By: » Blog Archive » Functional mystics and anemic Christians?

» Blog Archive » Functional mystics and anemic Christians? — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:21:12 +0000

[...] Gilbert over at The Gospel Coalition Blog is wondering if the modern praise and worship movement hasn’t had unintended [...]

By: sam

sam — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:22:15 +0000

I'm concerned about what is being called "excellent" music.
As one who grew up in the loud electronic music era, I must insist
that everything with guitars, loud music and vague lyrics is
not necessarily "excellent", in fact usually not. Having been to
many churches with "contemporary" music-- most of it is FAR from
"excellent". The singers and instrumentalists in many cases
are far from being considered anything above poor-average.

I admit that many churches that sing acappela psalms and/or
piano-and-organ-accompanied hymns could not be considered
excellent in their particular talents, but at least what they
are singing is the word of God, and/or (usually) doctrinally
sound lyrics. Yes, there are lots of beautiful modern hymns
being sung. I often say-- read the words of a psalm, hymn, or
song as you would prose or poetry. Its content and beauty
will strongly determine its worthiness to be used in the
worship of the true God of the universe, as the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.

I certainly agree with the premise of the article. The lack of
"excellence" in psalms, hymns and songs, as well as our
instrumentation speaks more of our lack of dedication to
the worship of God in which we would use our talents to the
fullest. How many homes are centers of singing practice,
voice training and musical instruments??? No time for that--
soccer practice and TV , you know.

Our lack of desire for Bible-based lyrics that teach doctrinal
truths and the word of God, is due to our total lack of
Bible study. Again, we just don't have the time to study
God's word diligently-- mustn't miss my e-mail messages, etc.

I'm speaking of our lack of maturity as Christians--
grandparents, parents, yes, and elders, deacons, pardon me--
I've been to your Sunday School Classes--....

And so our young people have no idea what it means to be
a Christian. They have no idea what is going on around the
world in the lives of other Christians. Youth know nothing
of church history, and have read zero biographies of great
men and women of the faith. They've been told that Christianity
is a big party. Join in. Have fun. Pizza. Great coffee.
Lots of rock music. P.S. No need to dress up... God loves
you just the way you are. We don't have to show any special
reverence.. He just wants you to enjoy yourself.

And so I'm done. Thanks for listening. We have a lot of work
to do.

By the way-- go to countries around the world-- a service of
Baptism in Africa, Asia, etc. What are they singing??
Popular tunes from their former pagan culture with new
words about "Jesus" substituted? No-- they like to sing
Amazing Grace (original words and tune).

Looking back at the article I must add one more IMPORTANT
point-- which should have been my first.

How we worship God is all about HOW GOD WANTS US TO WORSHIP
HIM. We are to pray, preach and sing HIS WORDS BACK TO HIM.
If we worship God in a way that honors Him, we will feel close to
God. When the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all worshiped
in an appropriate way-- we are guaranteed a nearness to
God that no rock music or self-centered service can give.

Pray for the church. Pray for the young people who perish for
lack of knowledge. It's our job to continue the reformation.
We're the ones who need the prayer, and may our young people
forgive us for our failures.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:35:57 +0000

Good article to start a meaningful discussion. I have a blog dedicated to much of what was written. Here's a link to my first blog post (http://sounddoxology.blogspot.com/2009/02/whats-real-issue.html)

If anyone is interested, the rest of the post's are more or less related to the bulk of this article...

By: Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:22:06 +0000

All good points, but this cuts both ways, such as when you say: 'The reality is that a single flat-back piano just doesn’t gig their emotions as much as a full electric band does. They don’t get that “transcendent feeling,” so they get discouraged and end up saying they “can’t worship.”' I've had this discussion several times with people in my church and we all share frustration with the mindset that says, "I need a certain style of music to worship well." Nonetheless we must be fair. What if the tables were turned? What if you *did* pull the piano and put up the worship band? Now the other segment of the church would be the ones saying, "I just can't worship to that music!" People are wired in different ways and respond to different things. Some forms of music *will* help people better experience worship, just as some forms of music are more or less appropriate for worship. A great way of illustrating all this is to look at missionaries. Do they carry western songs and western music to other cultures, simply translating the words, or do they adapt the music to what communicates to the new culture? Culture in the west has shifted and there is a gap in the tastes and expectations of older and younger generations. Some of that shift has been quite detrimental but some of it is neither good nor bad, just different. The question is how can we best communicate the gospel in ways that fully display the glory of God before all people. Quite a challenge!

By: Against Music? « Growing In Grace

Against Music? « Growing In Grace — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:49:09 +0000

[...] Mr. Gilbert raises some good questions that should spur some healthy thinking. I’d love it if you’d go and read the whole article. [...]

By: Richard Morgan

Richard Morgan — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:52:38 +0000

It is so important to distinguish between generating emotions in order to "feel" the Holy Spirit, and to feel emotions engendered by the moving of the Holy Spirit.
This article makes a vital point that needed to be made - because the question is : what happens when the music stops?
Saint Augustin said, "He who sings well, prays twice."
The psalmist recognised the value of instruments in praise.
Christ himself sang with the apostles!
I am sure that many young people feel attracted to and uplifted by good "music". But you can see the same enthusiasm and uplifted arms and tears of adoration at a Britney Spears concert. That should perhaps tell us something. (I have nothing at all against Britney Spears - it was just an example.)
Thank you for this timely reminder, Greg.
And thank you TGC for bringing it to our attention again.