Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is lifting His name related to this vs? | John 12:32 | stjones | 104051 | ||
Greetings, Aixen7z4; In our church, we sing three or four "praise songs" prior to our formal worship time. Two of them talk about lifting up the name of Jesus. There may be others, but these are the only two I know. You say that songs should not "just say you are lifting him up. Lift him up. Talk of the things he has done. Describe how wonderful he is." Tell me if these songs don't do all of that: Lord, I lift your name on high. Lord, I love to sing your praises. I'm so glad you're in my life. I'm so glad you came to save us. You came from Heaven to Earth to show the way; From the Earth to the cross, my debt to pay; From the cross to the grave; From the grave to the sky. Lord, I lift your name on high. Majesty, worship His Majesty, Unto Jesus, be all glory, honor and praise! Majesty, kingdom authority, flows from His throne, Unto His own, His anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King. Majesty, worship His Majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings. Both songs contain the essential gospel; both praise Jesus for who he is and what he has done. They are simple songs - the first something of a children's song - they aren't pretentious or sophisticated; neither is worthy of Handel or Bach. But I think their straightforward words sung with grateful hearts are pleasing to Jesus' ears: "he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.'" (Matthew 18:3-5) Further, this blanket condemnation is simply false: "You used to sing, [words from traditional hymn, "How Great Thou Art"]. But you have abandoned songs like that for songs that say you are praising God when that is all they say." This is utter nonsense. We sing "How Great Thou Art" once or twice a year. During the formal worship service, we sing three hymns from the hymnal. Watts, Crosby, Spafford, the Gaithers, you name it. We also sing the Doxology. How much tradition to do you require? Praise songs may not be to your liking, or to the liking of others on this forum who seem to think that "lifting up" Jesus' name is pure heresy. But this is a matter of taste, not substance. I am amazed at the arrogance of fellow believers who presume to dictate which lyrics or which styles of music are acceptable and pleasing to God and which are not. The fact that such narrow-minded foolishness is propogated by people I normally respect is especially disheartening. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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2 | Where have all the old songs gone? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104835 | ||
I hesitate to return to this subject. I understand that there is some problem among Christians about the music being used in church. I imagine there are threads on this forum discussing this issue. I have not looked at them. However, I have spent the last several days listening to the modern music on the radio. I confess that I feel the same, that the majority of these songs are shallow. I can understand that these people, I guess they are young people, enjoy listening to these songs. It is my understanding that non-believers also enjoy them. The emotion in the voices seems to indicate that the singers feel something, and I can imagine that the listeners do as well. I have one question. Why do these stations play all of the new songs and none of the old songs? I have noticed that some stations specialize in the old songs. Yet some of the new songs graduate to their play list. I want to say that this makes sense. They listen to the songs very carefully and finally choose them, not as a group but one by one. I imagine that the words, the tunes, the beats, the lifestyles of the authors all play a part. It’s like a canon of songs being established. Let them first be proved. Test all things, hold on to that which is good. I do not see anyone being against the new songs as such. But why are some discarding all the old songs? I employ singing in my counseling and I have many song books in my offices. But I find that the young people do not know the songs in any of the hymnbooks. It seems to me that if the older folk are willing to sing some of the new songs, the young people should be singing some of the old songs. Can it be that they don’t find them to be meaningful? I hesitate to name songs here, but the old songs cover a wide spectrum, from classical Bach and Handel types to Southern gospel bluegrass types. There are songs among them that have brought tears to our eyes and weakness to our knees. The modern songs generally lift us to our feet, and bring us to rejoicing. Is it that the young people do not feel the need to cry or to kneel? I am aware that there are some among us who believe only the 150 psalms should be sung. Are there also some who believe that only the modern songs should be sung? I visit many churches. The ones with hymnbooks sing a few of the new songs. The ones with the projectors and no hymnbooks sing none of the old songs. Please, please, please, please. Think with me and wonder why. I am not saying that all our songs have to be deep. We have always had choruses for the children, and we have sung with them. But for some of our churches I wonder where growth and maturity is reflected in the songs we sing. This is not meant to spark any debate. It is not a matter of right and wrong. But there has been a shift, it seems, and a change is taking place, and part of it is reflected in they songs we sing. |
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3 | Where have all the old songs gone? | John 12:32 | joel k | 104846 | ||
Mr. Aixen , thank you for posting this. I couldn't agree with you more. esecially about the difference between the churches with hymn books and the churches with projectors. I have been the music director for a hymn book church and have strugled with the unacceptance of modern music. And recently I visted the church where my brother has been the music director for many years (both are the same denomination) and it is a projector church. The point is this; I led him to Christ some 25 years ago, and we have grown so differently that I didn't know any of the music they sang. Ironically, he is my older brother and I am the one who is the traditionalist when it comes to music. There is one flavorful compromise; I write gospel songs with modern praises and traditional music. ... good answer ... thank you Lord Jesus I really did enjoy your comment about how everyone should be required to post their testimony before they can participate. I love the testimonies the Lord has given me. Though they tell of my dispare, they are my praise to the King of all Kings. The tales of Christ redeeming blood in my life are like stories only a Master could write. And the Master keeps on writting more chapters, but I can't seem to find an audience with a Holy perspective. I find that most people believe the Word of God is true, but try to tell them about how a super-natural (God)event played out in your own life and they are full of doubt. with bubba-love joel k |
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