I've been more underwater than above it lately, swamped with writing deadlines (and falling behind in them). So my blogging has suffered. That stinks, because life has been full of blog-worthy events of late. For now, I pass on a question I posed to a fellow worship leader recently:
Where's the "evil" in our worship?
Studying Isaiah in depth this semester, the concepts of evil/wickedness/injustice occur as frequently as those of righteousness and goodness. The two go hand in hand, complimenting one another. [I'm not arguing that the universe is dualistic (like "the force" or the yin/yang of Eastern mystcism). It's not. There is only one power (Creator God) and creation (sustained by Him). Neither am I arguing for worship to equally address Satan and our Lord.] However, that people value the cross only as much as they understand their need of it. We appreciate forgiveness only as much as we comprehend our offense. Our view of grace is only as big as our view of sin. God's holiness in view of man's wickedness, etc. The one who loves much is the one who knows he's been forgiven much.
Thus, where is mention of evil in worship songs? Or wickedness? Or suffering, for that matter? They are intertwined theologically and ideologically. So why do they never comingle in worship of God? Why not mention the war when giving glory to our Deliverer? Where is mention of the fire, when giving thanks to our Rescuer?
Happy worship lyrics may feel good briefly, but evaporate quickly for lack of substance. At best, modern American worship seems quite incomplete. At worst, it's become idolatry—a self-centered service to comfortably fulfill our needs. If today's worship songs are devotively vanilla, perhaps it's because they they tell a only half the story. Maybe the struggle of life (so prevalent in the Psalms) is essential to reveal God's glory in fullness.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
PS. In going through my archive of worhsip songs/hymns, Martin Luther provided the strongest example of putting the "evil" in worship. In this hymn, notice how his lyrics described God, evil, the devil, and the redeemed all in proper context. The result is robust worship:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever!
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2 comments:
This is good--thought provoking. A lot of songs are about strength and weakness or sin and redemption, but I can only think of a few off the top of my head that only partially mention the concept of "evil" or a "battle" of why the earlier things mentioned might even exist: SING TO THE KING... "We'll join in singing with all the redeemed 'cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King."; BLESSED BY YOUR NAME - by Matt Redman; THE VOICE OF TRUTH - by Casting Crowns.
It is good to evaluate and check our lives and points of view. With these we communicate our beliefs to others. I think you’re right, but wondered why.
I think that the world has become too shallow and too comfortable to create the songs of the past (like the hymn you shared with us). I know Christian artists convey the beauty and majesty of God, but do not touch on our struggles, and especially not our sins. If there is one or two that do, the concept is brief, short.
Our greatest struggle (maybe sin) as humans living in this day and age is our selfish demand for comfort. In the days of hymn writing, there was great suffering and it was expected in life. But now with our technology and advances in science, we have found ways ease, even fix these struggles and elevate them.
Or allow me to rabbit trail even more on our society. T.V. now portrays suffering and sin (CSI, Desparate HouseWives, Dr. Phil) through a skewed perspective. We see sin glorified without consequence or resolution to injustice by the end of each show - we gain a false sense of reality and a false view of our sin. (I'm not condemning these shows, just using them as examples.)
So, could it be, that in our demand for comfort makes us ease our view of our sin. This in turn diminishes our need for God and His forgiveness. And if you agree with this, would it not offend you to hear a song on the radio telling you, reminding you, of our sin and need for God. Possibly... And don't we "control" what is on the radio based on our desire and comfort. We shoot ourselves in the foot in this loopdy-loop of logic.
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