Why Is So Much Christian Music Leaving Out the Name of Jesus?

General Faith
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Why Is So Much Christian Music Leaving Out the Name of Jesus?

Why Is So Much Christian Music Leaving Out the Name of Jesus
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Have you noticed how many modern worship songs avoid saying the name “Jesus”? You’ll hear about grace, hope, love, and even the “Spirit”—but often, the actual name above all names is missing.

Is this just lyrical variety, or is something deeper going on?

Some suggest it’s a shift toward more seeker-sensitive, less “offensive” language. Others say it’s an effort to make music more palatable to a broader audience—including those who may not follow Christ. Still others believe it’s an honest attempt to express faith in fresh ways.

But Scripture doesn’t shy away from the name of Jesus—in fact, it elevates it: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10). The name of Jesus holds power, identity, and intimacy. It is how we are saved, how we pray, and how we worship. Leaving it out isn’t a minor edit—it may reflect a deeper theological drift.

So what’s your take?

Do you think the omission is intentional?
Are we watering down our worship or reaching people in new ways?
What songs still lift high the name of Jesus in a way that stirs your soul?

“To say His name is to speak healing, power, and salvation. So why would we ever leave it out?”

Explore more on the meaning and significance of His name:

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Have you noticed, brother? That same trend is happening here too, the name of Jesus, Yeshua, is rarely mentioned anymore.

Johann.

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I want to state right away that it’s been a long time since I’ve been part of a tradition that was immersed in contemporary “praise and worship” musical forms. So I don’t know what the current state of affairs are. I will say that my personal experience was, around twenty years ago, that as emotionally fulfilling much of the music we sang in church was; it felt very shallow as I began to encounter the historic music of the Church (from Byzantine and Gregorian chant, to early-modern Protestant hymnody).

I don’t want to present this as a debate over aethetics or “style”, I think that’s vapid. What I do think is more substantial is what, exactly, we are confessing when we sing. Is the substance of our musical confession if not theologically deep (though, I think it should be), at least theologically good? Lex orandi Lex credendi (what we pray is what we believe) and all that.

Now, having said that, I will freely admit that I have encountered some very good music, music that is good confessionally and theologically; and also has the aethetic of the contemporary “praise and worship” sound. Often it is more historically grounded hymns reworked with new sound. Some examples: