Fritz
You asked the question, “Should the songs we sing in church be evaluated for theological accuracy?”
I’m sorry you posted this question back in January, and here it is March, and I am just seeing it. My Bad.
Actually, from a personal perspective, there are quite a few songs that are commonly sung in the congregation that I can not bring myself to sing. Most of the time I can’t sing something that I know is untrue. I recognize that I may be dull, or fail to appreciate the poetry, or as some say “I am making too big a deal over a small thing”. But I am not making any “deal”, I am simply not participating in that portion of the event. When I sing, as when I pray, or when I speak to others, I do not feel the liberty to say or infer something that I don’t actually believe is true. Specifically, I do not feel it is OK for me to express something about myself or others that is not sincere or genuine. When led to do so, I simply refrain. If I began to list songs I do not sing, I’m pretty sure some would immediately find it offensive; they may feel I’m judging them because they do sing it, or they may feel I think I’m better or Holier than they are, or they may be offended for other reasons altogether. I do not tell others what they should sing; that is not my role, “Who am I to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand”. Romans 14:4.
I have been called to follow The Truth; a perfect person who embodies all truth, and so as His disciple, I believe I am responsible to testify of His Truth. I am His representative, so I purpose to only “speak the truth in love”: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth”. 1 John 3:18. John also testifies that “the truth abides in us” and therefore it is only truth that should escape my lips. In general I usually don’t participate in songs that ask Jesus to save me (since He already has), or speak of one day entering the Kingdom of God (since I already have), or songs that ask Him to come near, into my heart, or to be kind, or faithful, or any number of things he already is. I won’t go on.
When I am singing in the congregation, I know I am praying and singing to my creator, often about my creator (I recognize there are exceptions). He knows my heart perfectly, and so to be sincere and genuine, I want what is true in my heart to come out of my mouth. I am convicted when I say or sing something that I don’t actually believe is true,and I am made sad when others try to get me to do so. I recognize I do not always say what is true, I’m fallible, but when I don’t I try to repent and then rest in His forgiveness.
I do very much respect the theological labor some of the old hymn writers put into their lyrical testimonies. They resonate Christian unity with me and seem to pull me into deeper love and appreciation for our Savior. Some are so profound and so true that they bring tears to my eyes and rejoicing to my heart. I do not find the same unity with many of the modern choruses, for multiple reasons. Some I find to be completely heretical; it is often the most popular ones, in my opinion.
My 2 cents
Resting in Him with you
KP
