What Are Some Theologically Sound Worship Bands & Songs?

Ashley755 said:

I cannot listen to Hillsong or Bethel anymore, friends. And this is why—very, very questionable theology.

So, from a reformed perspective I suppose, who are some trustworthy Christian artists and groups with Biblically sound lyrics?

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I have found it increasingly hard to find good solid P&W music; the older songs/groups from the 90's and back before that seemed to be more Biblical correct. Even Hillsong in the 90's and early 2000's when Darlene Zschech was the leader had good Bible derived lyrics; now not so much. There are some new artist that have good songs; but I find I have to pick and choose.

Here is one from the 90's and the group put out a lot of good songs:
Maranatha! music.

I enjoy the worship songs put out by Sovereign Grace Music.

If the Pentecostal theology bothers you, here are some options that are still putting out new, more modern P&W music.

Passion
Elevation Worship
Phil Wickham
Matt Redman
Chris Tomlin

I could list others that do Christian music, but since the 2 mentioned in the OP are Praise&Worship, I went with that for the list here.

Try Shane & Shane.

Ashley755 said:

I cannot listen to Hillsong or Bethel anymore, friends. And this is why—very, very questionable theology.

So, from a reformed perspective I suppose, who are some trustworthy Christian artists and groups with Biblically sound lyrics?

Click to expand...

Hey sister, perhaps you can point out which song(s) you worry may be unbiblical, so that we can help by checking them? The only Hillsong songs I know (just a few) are expressing Bible verses, but it's not always clear to people I bet. I even ran into this myself in my own theologically conservative, sola scriptura ("Scripture Only" -- Martin Luther) Lutheran church.
(Sola scriptura - Wikipedia)

I heard a song in our contemporary service that at first I didn't recognize or know the Bible verse(s) it was using, because I'd not read through the Psalms in a long time (having spent most of my reading time in the New Testament, reading gospels and epistles over and over).

So, it's an aid any of us can need, to have help to find whether a lyric fits scripture.

Let us help, by telling us which song or lyrics you are concerned about. Since millions of Christians are listening to Hillsong, it's worth our while to check.

Ashley755 said:

I cannot listen to Hillsong or Bethel anymore, friends. And this is why—very, very questionable theology.

So, from a reformed perspective I suppose, who are some trustworthy Christian artists and groups with Biblically sound lyrics?

Click to expand...

Possibly the most popular Hillsong song is "What a Beautiful Name". I'll try to look up some of the verses for it --

"What a Beautiful Name"

You were the Word at the beginning (John 1:1)
One With God the Lord Most High (John 1:1)
Your hidden glory in creation (John 1:3)
Now revealed in You our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King (Revelation 19:16)
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down (Mark 1:15, Luke 17:21)
My sin was great, Your love was greater (John 15:13)
What could separate us now

What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

How sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are
Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all?
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You (Matthew 27:51)
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again (Matthew 28:6, Romans 6:4)
You have no rival, You have no equal (Rev 19:16)
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory (Rev 22:13, 16)
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What A Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship Lyrics and Chords | Worship Together


Is that enough? Are there any lines you need verses about?

Halbhh - not speaking for the OP, but many of the people I know who have concerns with Hillsong and Bethel are concerned not with the content of the songs but with some of the things they believe are taught by the church. That is a whole other topic. The logic I have been given is that the songs may be OK but if people like the songs they may start checking out the churches and be exposed to poor teaching. I don't share that point of view and look at Hillsong and Bethel (and any worship groups) songs for the content of the song - but I realize others do care, so try to help out people who ask.

WolfGate said:

Halbhh - not speaking for the OP, but many of the people I know who have concerns with Hillsong and Bethel are concerned not with the content of the songs but with some of the things they believe are taught by the church. That is a whole other topic. The logic I have been given is that the songs may be OK but if people like the songs they may start checking out the churches and be exposed to poor teaching. I don't share that point of view and look at Hillsong and Bethel (and any worship groups) songs for the content of the song - but I realize others do care, so try to help out people who ask.

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Yes, post #8 is sincere. We'd like to *help* in a practical way with actual testable things -- check out lyrics regardless of any other stuff, because the lyrics matter because of the millions of listeners. If someone has a specific thing to check.

Ashley755 said:

I cannot listen to Hillsong or Bethel anymore, friends. And this is why—very, very questionable theology.

So, from a reformed perspective I suppose, who are some trustworthy Christian artists and groups with Biblically sound lyrics?

Click to expand...

How about Casting Crowns:

Or Matt Redman:

Radagast said:

How about Casting Crowns:

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Great suggestion, particularly if the OP is interested in Contemporary Christian as well as P&W. They come from an evangelical Baptist background, if that matters to anyone. (My wife and I are going to see them in concert in a month!)

Halbhh said:

Yes, post #8 is sincere. We'd like to *help* in a practical way with actual testable things -- check out lyrics regardless of any other stuff, because the lyrics matter because of the millions of listeners. If someone has a specific thing to check.

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I understand you are sincere. I was simply saying it might not be the lyrics that are causing the concern, but the theology of the churches.

WolfGate said:

I understand you are sincere. I was simply saying it might not be the lyrics that are causing the concern, but the theology of the churches.

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The OP says it's the theology of the lyrics. I see no reason to doubt that.

Radagast said:

Or Matt Redman:

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This was the very first Christian worship I listened to and love it

Ashley755 said:

I cannot listen to Hillsong or Bethel anymore, friends. And this is why—very, very questionable theology.

So, from a reformed perspective I suppose, who are some trustworthy Christian artists and groups with Biblically sound lyrics?

Click to expand...

Even some Hymnal music is not good theology ... we need discernment

There's Fernando Ortega

Ashley755 said:

I cannot listen to Hillsong or Bethel anymore, friends. And this is why—very, very questionable theology.

So, from a reformed perspective I suppose, who are some trustworthy Christian artists and groups with Biblically sound lyrics?

Click to expand...

I have personally believe you really cannot go wrong with the traditional hymns. Many artists today, to include Lauren Dangle, sing contemporary version of traditional hymns. I don't like Lauren Dangle very much, but she sings "In Christ Alone" wonderfully.