I believe many Christians often sing in worship without a true thought about what they are singing, especially when the same songs are sung week after week. We sing songs that talk about the rapture, which the Bible does not speak of (not as it is taught in some churches, anyway). Many of our songs are metaphorical, just like many of songs (Psalms) in scripture. I have never “stood on Jordan’s stormy banks and cast a wishful eye” nor have I been in the garden alone walking and talking with Jesus when “He bids me go.” Our singing should always exalt God and encourage one another.
Thanks for the comment and you're exactly right. It is so easy to shift your brain into neutral in worship and disconnect in ALL aspects of the worship - whether singing or praying, observing the Lord's Supper (seems like Paul had something to say about that in 1 Cor. 11:29-31), giving, or hearing a sermon. I can absolutely be near to the throne but far from His heart.
To your other point, there are songs that the church would do well to avoid that are not in line with sound doctrine, yet evaluate whether there is also room for poetic license. "Rapture" though perhaps an ill-advised term in the religious understanding of today, CAN refer to a blissful, carrying away of the emotion of joy ("filled with delight my raptured soul..."). I may not have physically stood on Jordan's stormy banks, but I have stood in awe as God has providentially worked in the seemingly hopeless times in my life as I look with hope towards His promises. His voice in scripture has "bid to go" through suffering like He has (1 Pet. 2:21). You are right that we must be careful of such a literal interpretation of that which is poetic to cause us to see error where none exists. (Reread the Song of Moses in Exodus 15 and see the poetic description of God, His salvation, and the picture of the Egyptian defeat). Amen to your last statement! Thanks! ab
I know of one congregation and marked songs in their songbook that they were not allowed to sing (most of them were more recent songs). Some of the songs they disallowed were directly from scripture. Singing is a vital part of our worship as it usually sets the tone for worship.
I believe many Christians often sing in worship without a true thought about what they are singing, especially when the same songs are sung week after week. We sing songs that talk about the rapture, which the Bible does not speak of (not as it is taught in some churches, anyway). Many of our songs are metaphorical, just like many of songs (Psalms) in scripture. I have never “stood on Jordan’s stormy banks and cast a wishful eye” nor have I been in the garden alone walking and talking with Jesus when “He bids me go.” Our singing should always exalt God and encourage one another.
Hey Steve,
Thanks for the comment and you're exactly right. It is so easy to shift your brain into neutral in worship and disconnect in ALL aspects of the worship - whether singing or praying, observing the Lord's Supper (seems like Paul had something to say about that in 1 Cor. 11:29-31), giving, or hearing a sermon. I can absolutely be near to the throne but far from His heart.
To your other point, there are songs that the church would do well to avoid that are not in line with sound doctrine, yet evaluate whether there is also room for poetic license. "Rapture" though perhaps an ill-advised term in the religious understanding of today, CAN refer to a blissful, carrying away of the emotion of joy ("filled with delight my raptured soul..."). I may not have physically stood on Jordan's stormy banks, but I have stood in awe as God has providentially worked in the seemingly hopeless times in my life as I look with hope towards His promises. His voice in scripture has "bid to go" through suffering like He has (1 Pet. 2:21). You are right that we must be careful of such a literal interpretation of that which is poetic to cause us to see error where none exists. (Reread the Song of Moses in Exodus 15 and see the poetic description of God, His salvation, and the picture of the Egyptian defeat). Amen to your last statement! Thanks! ab
I know of one congregation and marked songs in their songbook that they were not allowed to sing (most of them were more recent songs). Some of the songs they disallowed were directly from scripture. Singing is a vital part of our worship as it usually sets the tone for worship.