Have you ever pondered the kind of music you hear in your church, why it is used and are there other kinds of music that could or should be used?
Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #200 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.
As noted in the podcast, Music in Church History, music, singing, and instrumentation have varied and been debated since the days of the Early Church.
Church leaders and worshipers struggled to determine which, if any, music, singing, and instruments, were suitable for church worship, glorified God, holy or unholy in the sense of what emotions, spiritual expressions, thoughts and physical response they promoted.
In the decades and centuries following Christ’s resurrection and ascension to heaven, and the establishment of the Church, no instruments were permitted in church worship, and singing was limited to voices chanting Scripture in unison.
With the passage of centuries, call and response, multiple voice harmony, vernacular languages, and instrumentation were added.
More recently, we’ve experienced the so-called “Worship Wars” wherein churches divided between those who favored “traditional” hymns, most written in the last 300 years, and “contemporary Christian music,” most written since I was in high school in the late 1960s.
My service in the past 40+ years has taken me into many churches, and I grew up the son of a church pianist/organist who is still playing for our home church. Some churches position their music as strictly "contemporary," which may be OK but could deny the fellowship the opportunity for edification and enjoyment drawn from the rich, diverse, and beautiful music developed throughout the history of the Christian Church. In fact, this can perpetuate a certain ignorance among young believers regarding the musical heritage of the Church.
On the other hand, some churches still position their music as strictly non- contemporary or "traditional," usually meaning what’s called “the great hymns of the faith,” which may be OK as far as it goes but can also limit worship expression or signal lack of dynamism in the worship experience.
And this approach often fails to tap the incredible wealth of developing music in the Church universal yet today. Christian church music is not static. It is not standing still. New forms, songs, and musical expressions are being written let’s say every month.
While the so-called “Worship Wars” debating traditional and contemporary styles still persist, still other churches schedule what’s called “blended services” that combine elements of both traditional and contemporary styles. The goal is to bridge the gap between different generations or preferences within a congregation and create a unified worship experience.
- In music, you’ll hear hymns played on piano, maybe even an organ, alongside contemporary worship songs led by a praise band with guitars, drums, and keyboards.
- The liturgy may retain some traditional liturgical elements (like the Lord’s Prayer, responsive readings, or creeds) while also incorporating casual, modern elements like multimedia presentations or informal prayers.
- Preaching styles tend to vary too, featuring a mix of expository or liturgical preaching with a more conversational, story-driven approach common in contemporary services.
- Even the informal dress code may be blended, a mix of attire—some folks in suits, others in jeans—reflecting the cultural blend.
Why Churches Do Blended Services?
- To honor tradition while also appealing to younger or newer generations.
- To unite congregations with diverse preferences, especially in churches that have limited resources for separate services.
Is there a biblical formula, one way we must sing, use instruments, make music unto the Lord? I’d say, no, because the Word of God does not specify one kind of singing or praise, type of instrument, or form of music. But the Word most certainly says to offer praise to God with music:
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord” Ps 98:1,4-6.
Years ago I wrote a book entitled, Christian Liberty: Living for God in a Changing Culture” (2003) – also available as an ebook, Living for God in Changing Times.
Christian liberty is summarized in 1 Cor. 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” And again in 1 Cor. 10:23, “All things are lawful, but not all things build up.”
In my book, I asserted that Christian liberty might be the least understood and least practiced doctrine in the Bible. I cannot prove this, but what I meant was, God gives us biblical absolutes by which we are to live our lives, and we ignore these at our own peril, like do not kill, do not commit adultery. But the Lord does not address every eventuality that can occur in our lives, because the Bible is written for all times, countries, and cultures, so he gives us principles to apply so that we can discern and make decisions that glorify God.
Music is one of those non-absolute concepts. God never said, here is the one and only holy music or instrument. Rather, he created us in his image, gave us reason and imagination, then he allowed us—actually, he commanded us—to develop culture, i.e., our way of life, again, hopefully in a manner that glorifies him.
Now, it’s sadly true, many people use their God-given gifts to develop all manner of evil things, including in and through music, but this does not make music evil.
In churches, God allows us to apply our Christian liberty in our preferences and convictions relating to music. There is nothing wrong with preferences – meaning what we like simply because we like it, and nothing wrong with convictions – meaning what we embrace because we believe Scripture directs or commands it.
There is nothing wrong with given churches holding to their music preferences or even that church developing certain music convictions. They must realize, however, that if some people do not agree, they may move on, and if done in a good spirit, there is nothing wrong with this choice either.
However, churches divide over controversy, the get in trouble, and fight among themselves when various churchgoers or leaders elevate a given style of music to a kind of holy list – in other words, this is it, any other kind of music is bad, wrong, of the Devil.
And since we are human beings, we tend to transpose that belief about a concept like music choice onto the other person – that is, we don’t simply not like that other kind of music, we don’t like that other person. This devolution into internecine culture wars has split churches, even denominations. When this happens, the church is right where the Devil, the father of deception and division, wants it to be, embroiled in a morass of conflict destroying its testimony and effectiveness in the world.
Christians would do well to recognize and apply the following principles:
- God gave us music and the ability to make music, but he did not say make only this kind of music.
- Christians do not answer to each other but are accountable to God for our choices.
- It’s OK to hold music preferences, even convictions, and it’s OK to be different from others, but we are called upon by God to exercise our liberty in love for God and respect for others.
- Music is a fine art, a preference, a universal language, a means of communication and of worshipping God, and a mirror to the soul.
Because philosophic values, time, place, culture, event, and individual mood can all cause variations in it, music is highly idiosyncratic. Our attitude toward and opinion of certain kinds of music or specific music expressions, like all the arts, must be spiritually discerned on the basis of biblical principle and Christian liberty.
Music not only can but should be discussed and debated in the church, but music should not divide the church. Informed discussion and even debate is a product of the Cultural Mandate. Division is a product of sin and a tool of Satan.
We must avoid “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel” Matt 23:24.
Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. Or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers for more podcasts and video.
And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.
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