Don't overuse this song like a radio DJ and thus destroy it for your people!
3 comments:
Anonymous
said...
In my opinion, the only songs that can be considered "great" are those that stand the test of time. Passing fads like "Shout to the Lord" and this won't even be remembered by anyone in 20 years, much less 100.
There's nothing wrong with finding joy in contemporary music, but declaring something "Top ______ Ever" or "_________ of the ________" is a bit premature when it bears all of the trademarks of music which is built on trends that change constantly.
I remember when "Shout to the Lord" was declared to be "the new Amazing Grace". Well, absurd overuse and changing trends have already negated that claim.
In my opinion, the only songs that can be considered "great" are those that stand the test of time. Passing fads like "Shout to the Lord" and this won't even be remembered by anyone in 20 years, much less 100.
There's nothing wrong with finding joy in contemporary music, but declaring something "Top ______ Ever" or "_________ of the ________" is a bit premature when it bears all of the trademarks of music which is built on trends that change constantly.
I remember when "Shout to the Lord" was declared to be "the new Amazing Grace". Well, absurd overuse and changing trends have already negated that claim.
I think that "In Christ Alone" may have a longer life in the church than "Shout To the Lord." ICA's lyrics have more theological "meat," and the music seems less like a pop song than "Shout." (I mean no disrespect to those who like "Shout" though-- as far as comtemporary songs, I like it too!) Who knows about the staying power of a song ultimately, though, other than God? Having said that, I do think that both songwriters and leaders in church should strive for songs which are Biblically theological in their lyrics, fairly singable, and reverent in their music.
Reverence doesn't have to always mean "solemn," of course-- though I do think that the American evangelical church, as a whole, seems to suffer from too many "happy-clappy" worship songs (thanks for the term, Michael Horton!). Life is not all giddiness, even for those who know the true God. The Christian life has its "minor key" days (and sometimes weeks, months, and even years), and I wish that more of the music used in Bible-believing churches reflected this reality. It's strange that in the more structured, "main-line" Protestant churches which have ceased to truly teach the Bible, the songs are sometimes more reflective of both the joy and the sadness of the Christian life, as we find it in Scripture.... ok, I'm off my soapbox now! :-) Zach, I am thankful that you strive for a Biblical balance in the music at DSC!
3 comments:
In my opinion, the only songs that can be considered "great" are those that stand the test of time. Passing fads like "Shout to the Lord" and this won't even be remembered by anyone in 20 years, much less 100.
There's nothing wrong with finding joy in contemporary music, but declaring something "Top ______ Ever" or "_________ of the ________" is a bit premature when it bears all of the trademarks of music which is built on trends that change constantly.
I remember when "Shout to the Lord" was declared to be "the new Amazing Grace". Well, absurd overuse and changing trends have already negated that claim.
In my opinion, the only songs that can be considered "great" are those that stand the test of time. Passing fads like "Shout to the Lord" and this won't even be remembered by anyone in 20 years, much less 100.
There's nothing wrong with finding joy in contemporary music, but declaring something "Top ______ Ever" or "_________ of the ________" is a bit premature when it bears all of the trademarks of music which is built on trends that change constantly.
I remember when "Shout to the Lord" was declared to be "the new Amazing Grace". Well, absurd overuse and changing trends have already negated that claim.
I think that "In Christ Alone" may have a longer life in the church than "Shout To the Lord." ICA's lyrics have more theological "meat," and the music seems less like a pop song than "Shout." (I mean no disrespect to those who like "Shout" though-- as far as comtemporary songs, I like it too!) Who knows about the staying power of a song ultimately, though, other than God? Having said that, I do think that both songwriters and leaders in church should strive for songs which are Biblically theological in their lyrics, fairly singable, and reverent in their music.
Reverence doesn't have to always mean "solemn," of course-- though I do think that the American evangelical church, as a whole, seems to suffer from too many "happy-clappy" worship songs (thanks for the term, Michael Horton!). Life is not all giddiness, even for those who know the true God. The Christian life has its "minor key" days (and sometimes weeks, months, and even years), and I wish that more of the music used in Bible-believing churches reflected this reality. It's strange that in the more structured, "main-line" Protestant churches which have ceased to truly teach the Bible, the songs are sometimes more reflective of both the joy and the sadness of the Christian life, as we find it in Scripture.... ok, I'm off my soapbox now! :-) Zach, I am thankful that you strive for a Biblical balance in the music at DSC!
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