Theologically Awful Worship Songs
July 27, 2009
There are a few of those, aren’t there? I’m not talking about vague songs, or ones with perhaps awkward metaphors, but just plain bad theology. What would you nominate to such a list?
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These are the days of Elijah fo’sho.
Haha, that’s always number one on your list
I wrote a mirror reading of Days of Elijah based upon experiences with a Toronto blessing offshoot in Thornhill. However, apart from its actual incoherence, the song isn’t that bad (oh, except the incorrect view that David built a temple).
How about these three: “Draw me close to you”, “You raise me up”, and “Breathe”?
Hilarious!
You guys nerds. ;l
Draw Me Close To You is like a banal torch song. Given that bride/bridegroom imagery populates the Bible when talking about God and his people, I guess in theory using lover/beloved images isn’t entirely out of the question…
Not entirely out of the question no. Have you seen what Chuck Colson wrote about “Draw me close”? http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/april/15.116.html
The main problem of erotic imagery in my view is its overuse. I’d choose to do this song if the lectionary reading itself draws on erotic imagery. Otherwise, I’m personally drawn more to God as warrior songs (e.g., Psalm 46; Psalm 76).
I see what Colson is saying, certainly I’m with him on the emptiness of the song (though I do LIKE music at what Colson would call “ear-splitting levels”). I went through an old binder of worship music recently, sheet music I had collected over the ears and I was struck by how forgettable a lot of the stuff in there really was.
I found Colson’s reaction very amusing and not atypical of people of his generation. I personally prefer music at normal levels because worship is a participatory event, in which the voice of each congregant makes a contribution. If the music is too loud because of a p.a. system or say, a drummer who can’t control his volume, and if the members of the congregation can’t hear themselves sing, then I find that problematic. The song leaders then too easily slip into concert mode and the congregation becomes an audience.
So I guess the sheet music was collected over the ears to muffle the ear-spitting levels?
I *like* not being able to hear my own voice, I enjoy the music better that way
I stumbled on this on YouTube, Matt Redman talking about how some worship music doesn’t really resonate with “blokes” somewhat relevant perhaps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFljv_wit4k