Style or Substance?
August 17th, 2008
(By John MacArthur)
What’s the Biggest Problem with Contemporary Church Music?
It should be clear to anyone who examines the subject carefully that modern church music, as a rule, is vastly inferior to the classic hymns that were being written 200 years ago.
And incidentally, my own assessment is that the style in which music is written today isn’t really the biggest problem with contemporary music. Styles change. Bad church music isn’t bad just because it is “contemporary.” But the content of the lyrics is what reveals most graphically how low our standards have slipped.
This is not a problem that arose with the current generation. It dates back to an era whose musical style would seem quite old-fashioned by anyone’s standards today.
Before the middle part of the 19th century or so, hymns were wonderful didactic tools, filled with Scripture and sound doctrine, a medium for teaching and admonishing one another, as we are commanded in Colossians 3:16. Most hymns were written not by teenagers with guitars, but by pastors and theologians: Charles Wesley, Augustus Toplady, Isaac Watts.
Consider the profound content of this hymn about God’s attributes, written by Walter C. Smith in the 1800s:
Immortal, invisible
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.All laud we would render; O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.
Around the start of the twentieth century, however, church music took a different direction. Musicians and singers without formal pastoral or theological training (such as Ira Sankey and Philip Bliss) became the dominant songwriters in the church. Choruses with lighter, simpler subject matter proliferated. Popular Christian music became more subjective. Songs focused on personal experience and the feelings of the worshiper. The newer compositions were often called “gospel songs” to distinguish them from “hymns.”
Consider this familiar chorus, written in 1912 by C. Austin Miles:
In the Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Aside from an oblique reference to “the Son of God” in the last line of the first stanza, there’s no distinctly Christian content to that song at all.
“In the Garden” is by no means the only wretched favorite from the gospel-song era, either. “Love Lifted Me” (1912) and “Count Your Blessings” (1897) are two more “gospel songs” without much actual gospel content. If you want to see what thin gruel some of the “oldies” offer by way of actual biblical or doctrinal substance, review almost any random list of favorite old “gospel songs.”
Modern musicians have pushed this trend even further and often see music as little more than a device for stimulating intense emotion. The biblically-mandated didactic role of music is all but forgotten.
The effect is predictable. What we have sown for several generations we are now reaping in frightening abundance. The modern church, fed on choruses with insipid lyrics, has no appetite for her own great tradition of didactic hymnody.
We are in danger of losing a rich heritage as some of the best hymns of our faith fall into neglect and disuse, being replaced with banal lyrics set to catchy tunes. Thankfully, there are some wonderful exceptions to this trend — exceptions which we hope will soon turn the tide. In the meantime, our prayer is that both pastors and church musicians will come to realize the severity of the crisis and the vital importance of theologically-sound worship music.
I REPOST THIS FROM THE PREVIOUS BLOG ENTRY:
If I may raise one point as an ex Rock music adherent:
The style of music has much power to bring to rememberance a time of one’s life; in my personal experience, I have had to (In liberty) deny myself certain things which may be good in of themselves; such as MUSIC STYLE.
The reason is that, the particular brands of music that I used to love (And may still do - If I did not choose to limit my liberty) actualy are the anthems of a culture which itself is set AGAINST God and godliness.
For instance: The hardcore gangster rap (Ice Cube etc) that I used to listen to represent a gang subculture of hatered (Racial or otherwise), rebellion against authorities (Especially the police), sexual depravity (Rape etc). Now for me as a “New Creation” in Christ Jesus, it would be placing myself in a STYLE of music which would immediately (AND IT DOES), place a yoke of sinful lusts upon my mind. It reminds me of my prior LOVE OF SIN and ignites the same emotions that I had when I lived under the slavery of my sins.
That all said: As I grow in grace I make the conscious effort in my liberty to be conformed to the IMAGE of Christ and that means that I grow further apart from my “OLD MAN” and the lusts thereof; which means to say that I desire NOT to expose myself to the things of the former self. Whatever REPRESENTS the “old man” also is discarded and avoided for conscience sake and ultimately for the glory of our great King.
We al are sanctified at differing rates and come in at differing levels of moral charecter and strength, therefor Romans 14-15 is crucial: In effect I am sure that Paul is teaching the brother who is MORE mature and greater AT LIBERTY to suffer the weaknesses of the brother whose conscience is not able to be exposed to the “old man” and his former sinful self and culture.
My ongoing battle within then raises this question?> If I am at more liberty is it better; for the sake of my weaker brother; to be less at liberty among others, so that I do not put a stumbling block in the way of a weaker brother? Who is the weaker brother - The Legalist? or the one whose Conscience is at Liberty?
If I love my brethren I must and will by grace incline myself to be the stronger brother and be the servant of my weaker brother.
In all these possible discussions what I find the most needful is considering the weaker brother and doing all things as unto him and to the LORD in the fear of the LORD.
As for styles or content; I am sure that both are vitally important; ESPECIALY FOR THOSE OF US WHO COME FROM A LEWD LIFE OF SINFUL LUSTS AND DESIRES whose cultures include MUSICAL STYLES ADN CONTENT that is harmful, who now walk in the light, not seeking gratification but the glory of the LORD.
As a servant of our MOST HIGH LORD God, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit; our Redeemer from sin.
—————————————
P.S. - I hope that John MacArthur is not implying that STYE has NO value to music, culturally speaking (As I am from South Africa, I know that STYLE REPRESENTS all sorts of CULTURE and even in America SUBCULTURES; such as gang-culture represented by Rap “music”). I am sure that this short article has a BROADER CONTEXT; perhaps that would be helpful?
My question regarding Christian music in general is, what is the purpose of the song? Is “didactic” the only accepatable focus? or are thanksgiving and praise acceptable foci?
Does a Christian song have to be a discertation on theology?
We need to be careful on how we avaluate music. One can fall on either side of the horse. The standard for Christian music is NOT the “Old classic hymns.” The evaluation is God’s word. If we were to use the “old hymns” and their didactic focus we could find ourselves even finding fault with some of the Psalms, such as Psalm 150.
The practice of the Christian faith is both doctrinal and experiential, no? Our love for God - and His love for us - is not founded in a dry belief system. Reverence for God, while missing in many circles today and yes - definitely watered down - remains of vital importance. But I think it goes a bit far to blame the banality of contemporary “worship” songs on the old Gospel hymns that sing of the joy of the relationship with Christ. Did not the Psalmists often do the same? They sung of the mighty power of God, and they also often sung of the beauty of the reality of His presence in theier lives. That, I believe, is one of the wonderful gifts of being one of His own - that personal part, that encouraging part that comes from one member of the body of Christ - someone who wrote a song about a common experience with Christ some hundred years ago, and a believer today reading and singing it and recognizing his or her own indivdual difficulty in it. There is comfort there. And what, may I ask, is wrong with that comfort? Is that not what we are here for? To encourage and uplift each other whether the words used are written in a book, put to song, or spoken quietly between sisters or brothers in Christ?
The banality of modern-day “worship” songs with a “me-focus” has more to do with a “Me-first” generation that has a shopping-cart mentality about everything in life than with songs that encourage the believer in his or her daily walk with Christ. If either aspect of one’s walk is missing - reverence for the Father or an intimacy with the Son - then I do believe there is a problem. As children of God in fellowship with our Savior, we should have both - and there is no reason why we cannot sing and celebrate both.
Some today talk about praise songs and being on the praise team . I always thought that the songs we sing were for the purpose, or at least one pupose ; to praise God. Not at all about my feelings. Actually feelings can be stirred when God and His majestic glory is praised. And I always thought every member of a congregation was on the praise team when it is congregational singing. It can happen when the biblical command to sing is obeyed and with each song the congregation participates. Spectator and super star productions and passive watching occurs when there is the special music of a chorus, quartet , etc. All innovations of human tradition added to the reality of new testament worship.
i can’t believe i am about to say this, but i mostly agree with the assessment of modern “worship” music. while i believe dr. macarthur’s approach to many issues to sound overly religious, i agree with his premise.
modern christian music, for the most part, has certainly made for some very shallow thinking and worshipping. it’s very man-centered and is not exactly suited for corporate worship.
i would suggest that the people on this board check out jon foreman. he is the lead singer of switchfoot and has come out with some incredible solo albums that feature songs ripped right out of Scripture. take special notice of the songs, “equally skilled”, house of God forever”, “your love is strong”, “white as snow” and “instead of a show”.
on another note, i agree with much of what Barbara wrote as well.
As a classically trained musician, I find it difficult to accept most of what we have come to call “Contemporary Christian Music” and I find Dr. MacArthur’s assessment of it to be accurate; however, it is merely the most obvious indicator of what A. W. Tozer calls a “low view of God”. I have heard that the Beatles sought to intentionally violate established rules of good music based on rules of aesthetics, musical acoustics (physics), harmony/music theory, etc. which was consistent with their world view and also right in line with the ethos of rock music which is rebellion (expressed in sexuality, anger, chaos, depression, etc.) This is confirmed by the proponents, composers, and performers of rock/pop music so it is not a “Christian” argument against such music, merely a statement of its intent from those who promote and propagate it (Romans 1:32). Rebellion is said to be like “the sin of witchcraft” in I Samuel 15:23 so the association of rock music with rebellion makes its use in worship of God questionable, at best. Make no mistake, rock/pop music (with or without lyrics) expresses the spirit of the genre and the spirit of this age, just as the arts have historically reflected the same. In addition, it is a package and merely changing lyrics doesn’t change the character of the music. What, you may ask, does this have to do with a “low view of God?” Proponents of CCM argue that God created music and “its all good”. While that can’t be supported scripturally, it certainly follows that God created the human voice, the ability to create instruments, the laws governing sound (including the laws of harmony), the ability to “create” various forms of art, etc. It also follows that the aforementioned abilities and laws are subject to the depravity of man and the influence of the devil, so the creation of God (God is a God of order) and His intent can be distorted, perverted, twisted, trivialized, etc. It is in this last area (trivialization) that I believe most CCM demonstrates a “low”, perhaps I should say casual, view of God that is neither worthy of Him or ultimately edifying to His people.
I am encouraged by, and agree with, most of the thoughtful comments posted on this subject and hope such comments are an indication of a more scriptural and thoughtful approach to the issue.
Let’s talk a little bit about the sensual beat to many of the gospel songs and choruses. Forget the words, repeat a few lines over and over and and your mind has zoned out and open to many sensual feelings. Is that coming from the Holy Spirit or your own fleshly feelings? The same thing happens when singing many of the worldy songs today. Think about it.
I wonder how much God is truly praised by a congregation who sings songs only because it is the thing they are supposed to do when the music starts (regardless of the type of music), the worship team begins singing and the words appear on the screen. I wonder if we are becomming like the people God describes through Isaiah (and Jesus) who “draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me…” Jesus says that these are worshiping him in vain. Where is the worship when the focus is on the nuances of man’s music instead of the heart?
Alan,
Thank you for expressing what I was trying to convey on last Friday’s Topic.
Doug Sachs,
I am encouraged by your sensitivity to the methods used to worship God, yet you seem to be going down the path of determining other people’s motives. A path none of us should travel.
Walk carefully,
Jeff
“It should be clear to anyone who examines the subject carefully that modern church music, as a rule, is vastly inferior to the classic hymns that were being written 200 years ago.”
Actually, I think this is somewhat of an illusion. Yes, I believe the hymns we sing today ARE better than most of the contemporary music, but I don’t believe that music written hundreds of years ago is better than today’s music. A majority of the old music is just as bad as the new music, it’s just that time and discernment has deleted it from history. Only the good stuff is left. The bad old music just isn’t around anymore.
A majority of contemporary music is bad, but a little bit of it is very good. Two hundred years from now all of our garbage will have disappeared, and our era will be looked at just like we look at previous eras. The best of each era survives. I was “raised” on traditional hymns, but have come to like the best of the new as well. We shouldn’t refuse contemporary music; only the bad stuff.
If I may:
Here in the United Kingdom we are undergoing a time of severe Spirtitual famine and the true Church is desolate in many places. But as I have experienced “both sides” of the devide and have been able to enjoy fellowship in a country Chapel where about 6-8 faithful (Mostly elderly) believers meet for the LORD’s Day and Hymns are from the Grace Hymns booklet (Evangelical Press)accompanied with a small organ; another fellowship of about 40-50 (Main service; evening about 15) where CCM and a few Hymns are sung in a “contemporary accompanyment” AND a fellowship of about 50 where Hymns are sung from the Reformed Hymns Book (Metropolitan Tabernacle) with a small organ.
I have also visited a Evangelical Brethren assemby on occasion where about 20 people meet and sing Hymns and have been at the Metropolitan tabernacle at their School of Theology when te Church building was full and their Hymns where used.
I have found that the BEST worship has been with the smaller assemlies of the LORD’s people and in particular with the elderly and even at the burial services of our brethren. This leads me to a strange conclusion; that it is the heart and the truth that deliver worship when the two are combined. The one cannot be without the other as an act of Freewill Sacrifice and True Worship.
This type of worship seems to be mostly lost between the contempraries of my generation (30′-50′).
I believe that the heart has to be willing and ready to give ALL glory to the LORD Himself for His grace and mercy on a sinful person and people; before True Worship (Any type) will be done rightly.
To be sure the LORD our Father is the GIVER of such a heart and mind; without which we canot please Him.
It is my conviction that UNTILL all people become convicted of their personal sins and grace has been given and applied to them by the Spirit of truth ALONE; and then appropriated by them through Faith ALONE; ALL WORSHIP STYLES AND FORMS will be unacceptable to God, because the LORD seeks the heart of a man and not the work in of themselves.
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation OF MY HEART Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Mark 12:30 (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.”
Let us pray for the Church and it’s people to have a real true love for the LORD and to do His will freely from the heart, so that we desire to be conformed to the Image of His Son as the firstborn among many.
Sola Gratia!
Hi all,
Does anyone have anything to say about Petra or Keith Green? I like their music but I still want to know your input on this two artist/group. I’m a young Christian and Petra was my entry point to Christian music. We sing hymns in our Church but at home I usually play contemporary Christian music. I just want to be enlightened.
In Christ
Dean
I say, why let 99% of modern Christian music give all the rest a bad name?
Kidding, I’m a CCM fan, but believe that any church that throws out the spirit of Colossians 3:14 (teaching and admonishing one another) by eliminating theologically rich singing is making a tragic mistake.
Dean,
Petra and Keith Green were, and still are, influences in my faith, as well as Rich Mullins, Chris Rice, Billy Crockett, and many others. I always appreciated the Petra albums because they gave Scriptural references that served as the inspiration of their songs.
Keith Green was a prophetic voice in Christian music who challenged Christians to a faith of “no compromise.”
I think Dr. MacArthur’s comments are helpful. The lyrical content is very important, and believers need to use discernment about that. I don’t believe Dr. MacArthur was endorsing all styles, he just mentioned that style was not the biggest problem. Obviously, some styles need to be considered carefully. (See Alan’s post above.)
Can anyone tell me about Steve Camp? How is he? Where is he? Last I heard he and his wife had divorced, and at one time he was a pastor at Dr. MacArthur’s church.
BoDean
I was thinking about this very topic when I wrote this post. - http://thegospelshowonevoice.com/Pieces/?p=825
The lack of depth or outright heresy in so much of today’s popular “Christian” songs is deeply disappointing.
BoDean,
Tnx for the input and God bless.
I think that the question asked, “style or substance,” needs to be examined. It has been stated before that the style of the music has no effect upon whether it is Godly or not. There is good and bad music in any style. The question is not the style, the question is whether the music portrays the character of God. If not, then why would we want it in our lives, let alone in the church.
The question, “style or substance,” also seems to indicate that the words are the only part of the song that carries a message. Music is a more powerful language than that of speech. Music is the language of the emotions, and we all know that there are good and bad emotions. One rock musician noted that “the words make very little difference.” The music is what gives the message. Are the words important? Yes, absolutely. However, the music itself portrays a totally opposite message to that of the words in most CCM music. But really, the words are of very little significance. When compared to the music, the words effect us very little.
I say why throw out the baby with the bath water? It has been alluded to, and I agree, that there is plenty of “contemporary” music not fit for church, but there is also some great music. We as Christians(and many others too) tend to generalize too often, and that is not only unfair, it robs us of many good things. We just need to discern what is good and bad, that is why God gave us minds, and what I feel is part of the gift of discernment. While what we sing DOES matter, it is what is in our hearts that determines what is worship and what is noise. I would suggest to you that you can find plenty of churches singing “old hymns”, and dying… because it is all about our hearts. I think it was William du Plooy that touched on this, and I agree 100%.