Time for a rant. I have some bottled up frustration about some evidences of the sappy, superficial theological perspectives of some of our “contemporary” music that we call “praise and worship.” Before you write me off as an old fogey, I will tell you that I have been shaken to the core by much of creative energy and inspiration of writers to catch the emotional flavor of God’s love for us and our responses to Him. Much of what we sing is taken right from scripture and it blesses my heart, as, I am sure, it blesses God.
Yesterday, I experienced a moment in worship that, in my wildest imagination, I never dreamed I would ever experience. The worship team chose to use a song by JohnMark McMillan called, “Oh How He Loves.” It is quite popular through the Hillsong movement in
I do not presume to know what the author was experiencing when he wrote those words, or if his relationship with God involves that particular act, but for me, it was another evidence of superficiality and tastelessness in worship. The
So, is it just me or does anyone else have that same type of reaction? I am trying very hard not to react as an “older” person, but to understand. I am just thinking that “sloppy wet kiss” is not a very appropriate way to relate to how God loves us, especially in Sunday Morning worship. I’d invite your arguments, but more importantly I’d invite us all to engage with our worship leaders to examine closely those songs that fit and those that don’t. If the song is good but doesn’t say what we want it to say, why not write some lyrics that say it well? Unforseen kiss or sloppy wet kiss? I would choose the former. What about you?
12 comments:
Dave-
I am writing this from my Blackberry but wanted to reply, so it will be without deep reflection.
I love the song, but the song was not even written as a worship song. It was written about a youth pastor to Mark McMillan who died at a young age. He touched many lives in his ministry to students, and therefore was loved. He loved students and people in ways Mark said, "I can't explainm.". This song was written in honor of him, and as a result, for many has been turned into a worship song. Ok?
However, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think if Fanny Crosby, or any of the great hymn writer would have wrote about anything other than the unbridaled love of God for us, you might not even know them today as hymn writers, but mere bar room piano song writers.
We sang the song in our service about three weeks ago, but emphatically and deiliberately changed the words to respect the holiness of God as well as let His love meet us in our most human moments.
He is our Father not our buddy that died too early. There is a difference and the difference should define a song as worship or just a tune.
Donnie Hinshaw
Haviland Friends Church
I'm not sure if my two cents has much to add to the discussion but if 8 years of leading worship and a Bachelors of Arts in Music Ministry helps make it three cents then I hope it's worth listening to.
Right off the bat, I want you to know that I agree with you 100% Dr. Robinson. I recently went to the National Youth Workers Convention with the other youth pastors from our region and I heard this song for the first time from the conference worship team. They, like David Crowder, took to thought the idea of using the latter "unforseen kiss" to describe Heaven and Earth's encounter. I was, like you and others, thrown a little when I later found out that these words had even been changed to keep if from being so... "sloppy."
I do think that the artist who originally wrote the song was personally expressing his vision and art of the description. I don't think he initially thought it would ever be used in a corporate worship setting where it might be seen as offensive. The artist did give David Crowder permission to change the words when asked to use the song, otherwise it would've been against the law, so I'm sure there was a theological or tasteful discussion between the Christian writers.
David Frazier explained a lot of this to me while on our way home from Atlanta. He would be another great resource to explain Mr. McMillan's thoughts behind his version of the song. I see why this song could cause some controversy; nonetheless, I saw this song strike a deeper chord in the hearts of 3,000 youth workers than most of the songs. That must mean something. So I feel like it could be used, and already has been, as a worthy song for worship.
Gabriel Hancock
When I first heard that song on the radio I immediately came to attention. I was almost reluctant to hear the rest of the song. Maybe this is a younger and less inhibited generation but if that is true we have failed in teaching core values of propriety.
The causual use of slang by our "church" kids using terms that would have gotten our mouths washed out with soap at their age causes a verbal reaction in me when I hear it. Sucks, bites, freakin', jeez, Jesus is an OK dude, etc., etc. These words have found their way into the new contemporary Christian music as well. OK, I'm starting to preach here and that is not my intention. Perhaps our examination of lyrics presented in worship should be extended to the language used in our Sunday Schools and youth groups as well.
In other words, Dr. Robinson, YOU ROCK!
Tom Decker
Dr. Robinson,
I have enjoyed your rant and would agree with most of what you are saying....
However, Jared sang "unforseen kiss" as this is how we have sung it in youth group. I myself learned the song this way, and was surprised to learn of the other "sloppy wet kiss" lyric while in Atlanta when David Crowder was leading us in worship....I did not even know that it was the original way that the song was published until then, as we have ALWAYS used the lyric "unforseen kiss" I too was alarmed yesterday when I saw that lyric written (even though jared sang unforseen) as I knew then that it would be alarming to folks in the congregation - as it has been to thousands of folks who have heard the song. The lyric has created quite a stir.....
This comes down to a lack of communcation between the band and the tech persons who simply download lyrics online ( and they are often varied depending on who is leading )
I too would prefer unforseen....as that is the only way I have ever sung it until yesterday..
Jesse Penna
Dr. Robinson,
I for one really prefer Crowder’s re-write of the lyric. To me, it’s a great song that has great lyrics and imagery built into all of the verses, but for some reason when I hear that “sloppy wet kiss” section, it distracts me from being present “in the moment” in worship. “Unforeseen kiss” doesn’t have the same sort of problematic imagery for my own preferences.
However, that’s how I try to view it—as my own preferences in worship. Perhaps (and clearly, for the writer/composer) those lyrics have poetic meaning and value to others in worship. But it’s just plain distracting for me; I very much agree. And at 26, I try not to think of myself as an “older” person, so you’re not alone in this!
Other than that one line, however, I really enjoy this song as a worship song. And even more so, I appreciate the creativity in art that is expressed through the writing of worship songs. So I guess that while I agree with you on the lyric, I can’t totally agree with the statement that there is a problematic “superficiality” or “sappiness” among our “contemporary” music that we call “praise and worship.” (Ha!) I say this, despite my dislike for the way that some of these “contemporary” songs are performed (which can be quite superficial, again, in my opinion). The way that these songs are performed, to me, does not reflect on the writing, theology, or usefulness in worship of contemporary worship. Blame the musicians in this case, not the music.
Additionally, my opinion is that by writing songs like this, artists are able to express themselves, and we as a culture (similar to how we treat other forms of art) learn what we like and dislike with art. Clearly, as seen with Crowder’s desire to re-write, there is an issue with this specific lyric; seeing the issue with this lyric will help other artists writing worship songs to learn what is helpful and artistically viable, and what is not. So if something is overly sappy or has a certain superficiality, hopefully other artists learn from that and it helps to shape their own poetic creations. This is all within the context of the idea that it is good for us to make art as an act of worship, however, and that it’s good for us to use that art to continue to worship God. Both of which I agree with, strongly.
In the meantime, by all means, I think we change the lyrics if we feel the need to change them. Especially if we are trying to use the art to corporately worship God as a body together—if it is generally more distracting than helpful, it’s probably better to err on the side of caution in a worship service.
Sorry this got so long! Mostly, I’m just thinking out loud. And good call!
You think Kubiak goes after this season?
Bobby Kirkpatrick
Dave,
I am with you on this one. We have sung contemporary worship music in our church since we started it in 1975 – so I have a strong bias toward contemporary worship music. On more than one occasion over the past 34 years we have rejected (or re-written) songs with questionable lyrics or message. To me worship with music is beautiful, so is the imagery of “an unexpected kiss”; but a “sloppy wet kiss” – not so much. But then, I might be an old fogey as well…
David Davenport
I too have been highly involved with worship music from it's inception. Through this journey I have come to realize that music, like other things, has a couple of important elements. First, there are songs with inspired music, but non inspired lyrics. Second is the reverse, inspired lyrics but uninspired music. Obviously, we are looking for songs that contain both inspired lyrics and music.
I believe today we get a lot of "junk" worship music because people are under contract to finish albums - thus it's about the task not the inspiration.
In my opinion, the song in question doesn't really lead our people to worship, so we don't do it.
Looking for, and loving worship,
John Penrose
Independence Friends Church
Dr,
Thank you for speaking up.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (Amp)Test & prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
The discussion, the testing is the healthy part. Some express their worship, with heightened emotions, from their past lifestyles or life influences (could be innocent, God tests the hearts).
The highlighting, sprinkled with love, acceptance & forgiveness, could gently correct without stifling healthy creativity.
Please continue proving all things.
Jim Land
Miami Friends Church
Actually I must be an old fogey as well. I like contemporary music but
really have to study the lyric before I would bring it into worship
service. Sometimes I also feel that the songs are superficial and self
serving, instead of God serving. I don't mind a good beat and
"non-traditional" instruments; in fact, I enjoy it and often reflect on
the "joyful noise" described in several places in the Psalms and O.T. I
also have images of the people dancing for joy, like King David, before
the Lord, but.. I digress to another "point of contention." That's a
whole 'nother discussion.
Mike Herriges
Marva Dawn offers at least two outstanding resources on this topic. I'm hopeful that anyone serious about leading worship (all worship not just singing) would check out at least the first one.
Reaching Out without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for these Urgent Times (Eerdmans, 1995).
How Shall We Worship, Vital Questions Series, ed.. Daniel Taylor (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2003).
Sorry...above post from David Bridges
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