What type of music should be in the church?

[Jude24]

Although my current church of membership does not practice it, I hold to what I would call exclusive scriptural singing. Basically, the psalms and any other passage of scripture that would reasonably be sung in worship (Revelation 4, Philippians 2, etc.).

I definitely understand the appeal of hymns through growing up with them and still currently singing them in worship, and I would not go so far as to say that singing hymns are "sinful". However, I do believe it is unnecessary. While I admit there is not an explicit command in the Bible to only sing scripture, the question that I ask is that if God has provided us worship songs in scripture, why try to add to them or improve upon them? God has provided an entire book of worship for us, and countless other places in scripture that are fitting to sing. I just do not see why we need anything else. Hymns can have faulty theology or accidental errors-God's word is inerrant and infallible. I believe it is most appropriate to stick to scripture for corporate worship.

 

[David1701]

What type of music should be sung in church?

All three types! I can't pick all three, so I can't vote!

Remember that all hymns were once contemporary...

 

[David1701]

Did you mean twerkly? I hope ya didn't!

Now, where's that barrel of cold water...?

 

[Carbon]

All three types! I can't pick all three, so I can't vote!

Remember that all hymns were once contemporary...

But the hymns from years ago were much more biblical.

 

[Deleted member 5]

But the hymns from years ago were much more biblical.

Which ones?

 

[Deleted member 6]

Which ones?

"And He walks with me" is an oldie, but not so goodie, eh?

 

[Deleted member 5]

"And He walks with me" is an oldie, but not so goodie, eh?

Actually I think its a good one. Seems to fit the experiences of the walk with God in prayer. What do you see?

 

[Deleted member 6]

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

All His children know the joy of serving Him and being His own. This line creeps me out.

 

[Deleted member 5]

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

All His children know the joy of serving Him and being His own. This line creeps me out.

There are some of those experiences that God has given to some, that others have not had, or few have. Some were puritans.

 

[Deleted member 6]

There are some of those experiences that God has given to some, that others have not had, or few have. Some were puritans.

I don't think that line is conveying that, but I don't know who wrote that song, nor their Christology and/or soteriology. I think it refers to joy of knowing Him, or rather, being known of Him, and we can say all His children have experienced that joy.

But I could be wrong and will gladly accept correction.

 

[Deleted member 5]

I don't think that line is conveying that, but I don't know who wrote that song, nor their Christology and/or soteriology. I think it refers to joy of knowing Him, or rather, being known of Him, and we can say all His children have experienced that joy.

But I could be wrong and will gladly accept correction.

Well, it ain't perfect.

I think Enoch wrote it right before he was translated.

 

[PeterJens]

What type of music should be sung in church?

Songs that express christian love, theology, praise to God, are part of Gods people expressing their love of Him.
Sadly many song writers are expressing a theology in their lives that their songs might not reflect, or reflect only in part.

Many old hymns worked at expressing our relationship with God and how we have walked, like Amazing Grace.
Some music is just an emotional high, a kind of rave in a church context, which I now question its value.

Some Bethel songs are literally heretical.
Some songs from centuries ago express views of the weather that are deterministic to a degree any educated person in weather systems
would have a hard time with.

Often church music and themes have left the more rural themes and seasons but which are still valid and worthwhile, yet city folk
look at food just coming from shops.

Music should reflect the cultural expressions of the people and their joys and sadness etc. I went to a church with the congregation in the 70's to 90's singing songs from the framework of the 50's. There form of worship and expression will die when they pass away because no young people will participate with that.

In our church a similar age group set up a service on mondays which played all the old hymns etc. which they took great interest in.
So it appears in faith we link our worship in expressions of our time, and find it hard so change.

God bless you

 

[civic]

Good article from Got ? on the topic of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs.


Ephesians 5:18–19 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (ESV). Colossians 3:16 continues that idea: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” So what is the difference between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and how are they to be used?

The book of Psalms is the collection of songs written under the direction of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:36; 2 Peter 1:21) by ancient Jewish leaders such as David, Moses, and Solomon. These inspired songs were part of the Hebrew Scriptures and used in corporate worship. The word psalm means “praise.” Although many of the psalms are cries for help, laments over Israel, or questions about God’s plan, the major theme in all of them is worship. Even when the psalmist was crying out his questions or frustrations to the Lord, he usually ended with a call to praise God in spite of everything (Psalm 42:11; 43:5; 71:13–14). The psalms have a timeless quality and are as relevant to our lives as though they were written yesterday. Many people find great comfort in reading or praying the psalms when they have difficulty finding adequate words to express their hearts to God. We can encourage, challenge, and extend comfort to ourselves and others by memorizing and sharing a psalm. Many of our modern worship songs are based on the psalms, and when we sing them, we are singing God’s Word.

A hymn is a song that gives praise, honor, or thanksgiving to God. Unlike psalms, hymns are not written by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are not considered part of Scripture. However, the best ones often incorporate portions of Scripture and are filled with rich doctrinal truth. Hymns are often metrical poems arranged to be sung corporately. Even in Jesus’ day, hymns were part of Jewish worship. After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn (Matthew 26:30).

The term spiritual songs is more general. Believers are to express their faith in song—but not just any song; Scripture indicates the songs of believers must be “spiritual.” That is, the songs of the church deal with spiritual themes. They might not directly praise God, but they will teach a doctrine, encourage the body, or prompt others toward love and good works. A spiritual song might express the joy of one’s salvation, revel in the grace of Christ, or exalt the greatness and power of God—in short, a spiritual song can communicate a wide variety of sacred themes.

From Psalms to Revelation, the Bible encourages us to “sing a new song to the Lord” (Psalm 96:1; 144:9; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9; 14:3). Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” A new song is one that arises from the spirit of a person whose heart overflows with adoration for God. Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians about music is preceded by the command to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). When we are filled with the Spirit, then psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are the natural expression of our hearts. A Spirit-filled person is a singing person. One clear indication that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit is a natural desire to sing and praise God. Musical ability has little to do with it. God created us to find great spiritual expression through music (Psalm 135:3; Judges 5:3). Scripture is filled with music, and God delights when we use what He created to worship Him (Deuteronomy 31:19; Psalm 33:2; 149:3).

Music finds its highest purpose when used as a tool to extoll the greatness of God. It can console, encourage, teach, and even admonish those who are away from God. Music is a biblical way of expressing our worship of the Lord. Spiritual music gives voice to our joy and adoration unlike anything else. Whether a psalm or a hymn or a spiritual song, the purpose of music is to glorify God, and He wants us to use this gift as a means of worshiping Him.

 

[David1701]

But the hymns from years ago were much more biblical.

Remember that it's generally the best ones that have survived. The best ones from nowadays are also biblical.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Remember that it's generally the best ones that have survived. The best ones from nowadays are also biblical.

Now if only the music of Hillsong would self combust.

 

[Munro]

Now:

6 x hymns
5 x psalms