ElElohe said:
Speaking in generalities:
P&W songs seem to focus on people.
Hymns seem to focus on God
Has anyone else noticed this?
A number of P&W songs also border on redundant. I understand the value of repitition and can't say when it turns redundant (it likely varies with the song). A song, I think called Let the River Flow, was one that worked against worship, personally. I once counted the number of times Let the River Flow was sung in the song, not starting at the beginning, and it was more than 50 before I quite counting.
That is counterproductive, and, IMHO, is an example of bad songwriting.
Hymns that I like, as well, often are those that don't have chorus'. When I Survey, Be Thou My Vision, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, My Song is Love Unkown and so on.
Comments . . . ?
RC Sproul ( a reformed presbyterian speaker on the radio) made a similar observation and is very well educated and able to delve much more deeply into this matter.
I would add that many of the modern songs are individulistic relecting our current cultures extreme bent in that direction.
However, I would also point out that modern songs are a reflection of where we are at in this generation. There is both positive and negative to this. Many of the songs that I have heard including the one which you mentioned as repetitive is actually a prayer.
Much of the modern music is designed to bring about an intimate prayer-like atmosphere. One can debate whether this is appropriate for a corporate worship time and would possibly be more appropriate in personal prayer times or even group prayer at times.
One personal "pet peeve" of mine is along this line. I believe in altar calls and providing a time for repentance and prayer which in my opinion is what many of these songs are about. However, it bothers me to no end that there seems to be very little real discipleship and so what should be a corporate time for worship becomes personal "spiritual housecleaning" time for a large percentage of the church which neglects their daily spiritual disciplines. This is repeated week after week and not simply a once in a while event and makes me wonder if more effective and lasting means of sanctification could be pursued rather than taking away from the corporate time of worship.
One last point, I once heard a very learned theologian say the greatest and most profound theology he had ever heard was found in a children's song entitled "jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so"
And let us not forget that jesus gave two great commandments which are the foundation of all the law and the prophets which are love God and love you neighbor as yourself.
Fellowship is very much a correct part of church and I also find myself disturbed by some in the church who suggest that our worship services should be focused entirely on God and indeed our very lives should be. I find this contrary to scripture and I might add just plain common sense which tells me if God wanted my entire focus to be Him and nothing of this earth then I should be translated to heaven.
So for me the issue is not so much that all the songs are not God centered as I think there should be a balance between that and fellowship. What I find more disturbing is the fact that a person can go to many worship services and commune with God but never fellowship with their brothers and sisters in the same room.
Sorry if this sounds like a "rant' . Just a pet peeve of mine that the primary scriptural role of church is glossed over by a hyper-spiritual emphasis on individual piety and passion.
