Words And Music

I remember reading a post from a friend on his blog talking about the lyrics to worship songs and why they matter. He mentioned a song that he found helpful, a real celebration, and another song that he disagreed with some of the words to. The song describes God's mercy as a miracle, and he thinks of this as a category error. We've briefly discussed it, and (I think) agreed to disagree; but I'm fairly sure he would agree that a category error is probably pretty much harmless, particularly when compared to the theology of some songs.

One issue I do have with the words to some songs (which I don't know the names of, but it's definitely more than one) is ones which have an idea something along the lines of God being my only desire. Apart from the fact that I find these difficult to sing along with because it almost never feels true, I really don't think it's Biblical. One of the first things God says about Adam is that it is not good for him to be alone, and yet he walked with God every day. Adam knew God at that point better than any of us will before Heaven, and God still decided he needed something/someone else. Also, the Bible says that God will give us 'the desires of our hearts' - i.e. more than one desire. And if the only thing God wanted to give us was Himself, why would He need to say that; surely it would be obvious.

And I also have problems with bad grammar in songs, and when singers don't enunciate clearly. The most common occurence of this is when they sing something about 'your rarms', whatever they are. I suppose I should just be thankful there are no songs that say anything about 'your ears'. That I know of, anyway. I don't mind the words being simple, as long as they are good words - sometimes we need simple. Just as long as it's not our constant diet; we also need thought provoking stuff as well.

And on another subject, in a way, another type of 'Christian words' that bothers me in songs is when people seem to insist that all songs recorded by Christians should be about something obviously 'Christian'. I don't have any problem with people writing about God/Jesus/Heaven/judgement etc; but, that's not all there is in the world. God cares about a LOT more than that. About war, and self-worth, and looking out for one another, poverty and politics, greed, beauty, and building up relationships to name just a few things. So why not write about those things as well? I'd certainly listen to songs on them.

And another thing is why is it that a lot of popular Christian music sounds so similar? Not all of it; there is some really creative and unexpected stuff out there, like Rend Collective - and when the David Crowder Band split up last year, he ended up forming a bluegrass worship group. They have an album out called Neon Steeple. Now that was unexpected. We know a creative God who made us in His image, so why isn't there more visible creativity?

And another thing...