JESUS ISN’T SAFE: THEOLOGY, THE POWER OF SONG, AND A FEW EXAMPLES

Posted on: February 14th, 2012 by mattpapa 27 Comments

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PART THREE:  SONGS

As a way of reminder, let me begin with some foundational premises:

I think theology is the most important thing in the world.  Theology, in layman’s terms is simply the study of GOD.  A.W. Tozer said “The most important thing about a person is what they think about when they think about God”.  I wholeheartedly agree.  Why?  Because how you view God colors everything about you.  If God is supremely loving but not Holy, you will abuse grace because grace will be trite.  If God is supremely Holy but not loving, you will live in utter condemnation.  If Jesus is safe, you will compartmentalize Him.  If He is not sovereign, you will live in unrest.  ETC. (I think you get the idea.)  This means, if we want to love people, we must give them God.  And not just God, but God as He is (according to the Scriptures).

One of the most influential things upon a people’s theology, equal if not greater than preaching (in my opinion), is music.  Songs….”christian” songs….are sermons people remember.  You forget a sermon in a couple weeks.  You remember a song forever.  Aristotle said, “give me a nation’s songs and I care not who makes it’s laws”.  Music matters.  Things with Jesus’ name tacked on them matter.  Theology matters.  And christian radio is hugely influencing the music people are aware of, and the songs that churches are singing.

Now to the issue at hand:

Mainstream christian radio is not giving people God, but a safe, condensed, and feminine version of God.  The songs are trite.  “Love” is celebrated more than the God of love and His demonstration of love (the cross).  Listen for 20 minutes and you will see.  But you might say:

Matt, stop freaking out.  What’s wrong with happy, encouraging, positive music?  Nothing at all.  It’s FANTASTIC.  Really.  However…

It has been said that a false prophet is defined as a false prophet…..not primarily because of the things they say, but because of the things they don’t say.  I think Joel Osteen is INCREDIBLY encouraging.  I mean, really, I do.  It’s amazing and I think encouragement is definitely his spiritual gift.  Most of the time, when I listen to him, there is not ONE THING WRONG with what he is saying.  But what is he NOT saying?  A LOT, and he should not be a pastor if he is unwilling to say those things.  Author?  Go for it buddy.  But PASTOR of the Church of Jesus Christ?  I’m not so sure.

The same goes for christian radio.  If we’re going to label it Christian, then let’s make it Christian.  Let’s stop mis-representing the Lord on such a large scale through an imbalanced presentation of Him.

Let’s list a few examples of what I mean by an imbalanced, or inaccurate view of who God is.  As a disclaimer, I would like to remind my readers of things I have said in previous posts; namely, that I don’t necessarily point the finger of blame at the artist here, but at the theological imbalance on mainstream radio as a whole.  The following are lyrics of songs that have been extremely successful in recent years on christian radio, and are a fair (in my opinion) presentation of what is regularly played:

 

“Hold Me”

I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me

I love, I love, I love, I love the way you, the way you hold me

 

VERSE 1:

I’ve had a long day I just wanna relax

Don’t have time for my friends, no time to chit-chat

Problems at my job, wonderin’ what to do

I know I should be working but I’m thinking of You and

Just when I feel this crazy world is gonna bring me down

That’s when Your smile comes around

 

CHORUS:

Oh, I love the way You hold me, by my side You’ll always be

You take each and every day, make it special in some way

I love the way you hold me, in Your arms I’ll always be

You take each and every day, make it special in some way

I love You more than the words in my brain can express

I can’t imagine even loving You less

Lord, I love the way You hold me

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh whoa, I love the way You hold me

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh

-

I think this song is written to Jesus, but I’m not sure.  “Lord” in the chorus could easily be an explicative and then sung to a boyfriend or girlfriend.

 

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“Can’t get over You”

verse 1:

I love the way You love like no otherIt’s got nothing to do with anything that I doTime and time again You forgive meSo this time I choose to stay here with Youchorus:Hold me

Pull me just a little bit closer

I don’t want to lose this moment

You’re love has covered me

And now I can’t get over You

I can’t get over You

I can’t get over You

I just can’t get over You

 

-

In this artists defense, they do say the word “Father” in the second verse, and “oh Lord” in the bridge, but this song also could be easily sung to a human being.

 

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“What Faith Can Do”

verse 1:
Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

chorus:
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

verse 2:
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

-

This song doesn’t mention God or Jesus.  At all.

 

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“Free to be me”

 

verse 1

At twenty years of age

I’m still looking for a dream

A war is already waged for my destiny

But You’ve already won the battle

And You’ve got great plans for me

Though I can’t always see, ’cause…

 

chorus:

I got a couple dents in my fender

Got a couple rips in my jeans

Try to fit the pieces together

But perfection is my enemy

And on my own I’m so clumsy

But on Your shoulders I can see

I’m free to be me

 

verse 2

When I was just a girl

I thought I had it figured out

See my life will turn out right

And I’ll make it here somehow

But things don’t always come that easy

And sometimes I would doubt, ’cause…

 

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“Me And Jesus”

 

When there’s nowhere else to turn

All your bridges have been burned

Feels like you’ve hit rock bottom

Don’t give up it’s not the end

Open up your heart again

When you feel like no one

Understands where you are

 

[chorus]

Someone loves you even when you don’t think so

don’t you know

you got Me and Jesus

by your side through the fight

you will never be alone on your own

you got me and Jesus

-

Good news everyone.  We’ve got this guy.  Oh yeah, and Jesus.

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“This Is The Stuff”

 

verse 1:

I lost my keys in the great unknown

And call me please ‘Cuz I can’t find my phone

chorus:

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I’m blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

verse 2:

45 in a 35

Sirens and fines while I’m running behind

Whoa

chorus:

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I’m blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

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“You Are More”

 

verse:

There’s a girl in the corner

With tear stains on her eyes

From the places she’s wandered

And the shame she can’t hide

 

She says, “How did I get here?

I’m not who I once was.

And I’m crippled by the fear

That I’ve fallen too far to love”

 

But don’t you know who you are,

What’s been done for you?

Yeah don’t you know who you are?

 

chorus:

You are more than the choices that you’ve made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You’ve been remade.

-

This song tends to point to universalism….without faith in Christ as a precursor to being remade.

 

 

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“Someone worth dying for”

 

You might be the wife,

Waiting up at night

You might be the man,

Struggling to provide

Feeling like it’s hopeless

 

Maybe you’re the son,

Who chose a broken road

Maybe you’re the girl,

Thinking you’ll end up alone

Praying God can you hear me?

Oh God are you listening?

 

(Chorus)

Am I more than flesh and bone?

Am I really something beautiful?

Yeah, I wanna believe, I wanna believe that

I’m not just some wandering soul

That you don’t see and you don’t know

Yeah I wanna believe, Jesus help me believe that I

Am someone worth dying for

-

This song clearly emphasizes our worth, and not God’s grace.

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I realize that these are NOT the ONLY songs played on christian radio, and honestly, these songs by themselves are probably just fine and dandy.  However, and in holistic sense, the gospel and the glory of God seem to be lacking altogether on what is labeled christian radio, which is a very, very, very sad thing.

Please hear my heart:  I love the DJ’s who do christian radio and I love people who listen to christian radio.  That’s why I’m writing these posts.  I realize the Lord does not need me to defend Him.  He’s doing just fine.  But I do want to do my part…and pass the gospel on to the next generation.  I also realize that the explicit gospel of Christ may never be “popular”….but I’m forever hoping and fighting that it would be.

Writing that Christ might be treasured above all-

Matt

 

  • David

    Thank you for this. It is so encouraging seeing this issue finally articulated well. Praying He would use your obedience for His fame.

  • John Mark Allen

    I agree in most parts. But in theology you must have context. In the stellar kart song I believe the context is written to a friend, and you’re letting them know that you are there got them, and the God of all the universe.

    With Mikeschair. Context once again. Someone worth dying for. “Jesus wants you to see, you’re something worth dying for”. In reference to the cross.

    I do believe that songs should have more depth, and poetic meaning, and a solid biblical core.

    • Mr. Warshaw

      Re: worth dying for

      Even with your explanation though, it misrepresents Christ. Jesus died principally for his Father’s glory. And as it relates to us, he had to die precisely because we *aren’t* worth dying for. I don’t think the context saves it here

      • John Mark Allen.

        On our own. We are worthless. But. Christ gave us worth. Therefore. We are worth dying for.

        • Dr. Mom

          This is a circular argument, which is a logical fallacy. Moreover, one of the main themes that Matt draws out is the self-centeredness present in the selected songs. They are principally about us and our benefit. Matt says it perfectly that the issue at hand is not primarily because of the things they say, but because of the things they don’t say. Of course we benefit from Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, but the songs curiously leave out ANY reference to the gospel in its fullness.

          As a middle aged soccer mom (see Matt’s previous article on the golden calf of Christian radio), I could drive around all day pumping this pablem into my soul, and I would be no better for it. I might feel a bit more “encouraged” temporarily, but the trite, pithy bumper-sticker theology that comes from these songs does no more for my sanctification than reading Ladies Home Journal magazine in place of the Bible. I think that the theological value of these types of songs is completely on par with The Shack. It may not be inherently wrong to listen to them, but why would we waste our time on junk when the availability of good, soul-stirring music is so vast?

          • John Mark Allen

            You are correct. And I agree. The self centered attitude is wrong. Though reflecting on these things in and of themselves are not, to have our music based on self is wrong.
            I agree that there is better music to be heard. I listen to maybe, maybe an 8th (and that’s pushing it) of Christian music on the Radio. I do prefer music that is more relational, Biblically based and honest. That’s why I mainly listen to Lecrae and the Reach Records crew, Matt Papa, Gungor, and David Crowder. It is a more passionate worship experience for me than anything else when I listen to them. So I agree. In fact, I’ve agreed with Matt from the beginning, but I don’t want us to be unfair to these artist when we don’t know their heart. They could be just as passionate as Matt. We simply don’t know.

          • Mr. Warshaw

            I’m not trying to pick, so please don’t take it as such–just trying to contribute.

            I don’t want to be unfair to folks, either, and I would agree that ascribing motive to them without basis would be incorrect.

            What matters, though, is that experiencing music (or other arts) is, most of the time, not done with a view into the artist’s heart. The message isn’t the one they intended; rather, the message is what the song actually says. And so giving lots of grace and hoping that they do love Jesus, offering loving correction is appropriate. I have no intention of leading the youth that I work with astray, but I need correction if my words lack Gospel clarity. Correction =/= condemnation here.

          • Jerry R Wood

            Sic em Dr Mom gr8 comment.

        • http://coryhartman.blogspot.com/ Cory

          I agree with this. God thinks sinful humans are worth sacrificing his Son for. That’s not so much a statement about how good humans are as it is about how loving God is. How dare we say we’re not worth dying for when we are worth that to the only one whose valuation matters.

          That said, the song quoted above doesn’t express this concept adequately (and may not imply it either).

  • Fred

    I don’t listen to radio very often. But I play in a contemporary christian worship band at my church. I consider myself to be fairly up to date on christian music, pop and worship. I’ve got to say, I don’t recognize these songs, but I’m not denying that they exist or that they are getting air time.

    • Meganlee26

      I’m also a worship leader at my church, and I’m not usually one to listen to contemporary Christian music. I got my ipod stolen recently so listening to my radio is the only option. Every time I turn to the local station, one of these songs is playing. They’re definitely out there.

    • Dan

      I was thinking the same thing, Fred… I did not recognize any of these songs, and I live in the same part of NC as Matt and am familiar with our area’s most popular “family friendly” christian radio station. What I hear (when I listen) is a boatload of Chris Tomlin and David Crowder and Third Day style of songs. Not that I don’t agree with Matt’s overall point (I do), just have never heard any of his examples.

      When he started this series I thought Matt was going to take on some songwriters like Chris Tomlin (like Scot McKnight did several years ago).

      • Stephen Beck

        You may have to look up some of these lyrics on youtube. It surprised me on a couple of these songs that I recognized them but really hadn’t considered the vapidness of the lyrics when I only absorbed it on radio. By just casual Christian radio listening (I have long tried to have my ipod plugged in a majority of the time, and though I would rather listen to Christian radio than mainstream music, I have enjoyed the local classical station much more in the past year since moving to NC), I recognized and could almost sing along to all but 2 of these songs when I found them on youtube, and one of those exceptions I was still vaguely familiar with (that’s to say, only 1 of Matt’s examples I have never heard of). I even tried to look up Christian charts, but finding that a little difficult, I will say without concrete evidence that I don’t think Matt used obscure songs here. These are songs that are recognizable to the subculture, especially teenagers.

  • http://twitter.com/JacobtheCloer Jacob Cloer

    Oh man, Rachel Held Evans is gonna give you grief about that “feminine version of God” line. She has been on a crusade as of late. Now, she is just gonna lump you in with Piper. Not bad company.

    Great piece. I’m loving your take on this.

  • http://twitter.com/brocklove Brandon Lovelace

    It’s interesting that many of the lyrics are me-centered. Not that singing about “my” relationship with God is a bad thing, but we are not the object of our own faith. God is the object of our faith. Our main focus should be on Him and the glory of the Gospel. Not simply what the Gospel does FOR us.

    Thanks for being bold and sharing your thoughts with us.

  • Haley Morgan

    Thank you for this! As a worship leader, I have been convicted about playing some of these songs for our youth group! In a time when youth NEED Biblical TRUTH spoken to them, I have to hold in high regard and be intentional about leading them to the cross, Christ! Jesus is what they need, fixing their eyes on a truthful representation of who He is, HOLY, Sacrificial Lamb, Love, All-powerful Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Simple encouragement without biblical, piercing truth behind it is not going to result in changed lives! We live in a time where the enemy is bold with exploiting sex, drugs, depression, and selfish ambition. As followers of Jesus we have to be BOLD in this world! I’m sick of hearing that it is legalism when followers of Jesus speak boldly about the things that God is passionate about (keeping His commandments- John 15:10-14 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love…”). It is truth and, Matt, like you said in your post, giving people half truth is not truly loving people as Jesus did. Love your obedience!

    For the glory of God!

  • Kmblouin7

    YES! YES! YES! Oh wow, thank you, Matt for this post. I haven’t heard your music yet, in fact yesterday was the first time I’d ever heard your name. And then earlier a trusted friend posted this article on facebook and now you have DEFINITELY earned a new fan. Thank you for saying what a lot of us have been saying for years. You can reach a crowd we cannot. Amen!

  • Jacob Lee

    Great Matt!!One suggestion for these eyes of mine,the black background and white words makes it hard for me to read.

    • Stephen Beck

      I’ll echo this. The white on black is a good look for the site on general, but it’s not very conducive to reading long articles. Thanks for all your work and diligence on this issue!

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  • CVH

    This is a good follow-up to your previous two posts on this. I commented on the second post and my thoughts on this one are similar. For those who have said they don’t recognize the lyrics you posted, they’re all songs by mainstream Christian bands that have been (or still are) on the top 30 charts in the last couple of years. The typical AC Christian station will be playing these songs anywhere from 20 to 50 times per week. That’s a lot of cheap grace and lousy theology being broadcast. But as I said in my previous comment, it’s not going to change as long as consumers keep buying it, going to the concerts and Christian radio keeps playing it. And whether you’re looking at the record/publishing side of the business or the radio side, where is their motivation to change? McDonalds could offer a healthier burger but it won’t sell like a Big Mac; schools could graduate smarter students if more parents got involved with their kid’s educational experiences but as long as they push all the responsibility on the teacher and the ‘system’ to fix their kids it won’t happen; there would be more intelligent discourse and action taken on the many problems facing our culture if people would turn off ‘American Idol’ and read a book (either the real thing or on a Kindle or Nook) but don’t expect that to happen anytime soon. WE are the problem.

    And while we’re at it, why not examine the horrendous deficiencies in the whole praise and worship genre. The P&W industry began in the early 70′s as something distinct from the rest of the business but in the last 15 years the lines have blurred and today a proverbial monkey could write a worship song that people would love. Superficial, unsound lyrics, banal, repetitive music and marginal performances. I’m not suggesting that every song has to be a magnificent work of art, but come on! Tomlin’s new record with Passion will be out soon; talk about a franchise that they’re going to milk as long as they can. I don’t anticipate a boycott at Christian bookstores or Christian radio. I doubt consumers are going to say, “Why would I buy that crap? He hasn’t written a decent song since 2007.”

    I agree that Christian radio bears some of the responsibility for the current state of affairs but so does every writer, A&R person, publisher, record label, artist, retailer and consumer who buys it. There’s just too much money to be made. God? Mammon? Who says you can’t serve both?

    e P&W industry has devolved

  • BTG

    I have somewhat mixed feelings. Good points were raised. However, most of these songs are not praise and worship songs so much as simply Christian songs, or at least songs with a positive message and feeling behind them, which is something that’s good to have in radio stations. Beyond that, to paraphrase C.S. Lewis, “what we need are not more Christian writers but more writers who are Christians, in other words, writers who know how to invade the secular marketplace.” Although this was obviously originally referring to books, the same principle applies to music, film, etc.
    Also, again, some of the specific examples are somewhat case-sensitive by issue and/or audience. First, foremost, and most personally, “You Are More”. To address the issue of not specifying faith in Christ as a precursor, the song goes on to say, “She knows all the answers/ She’s rehearsed all the lines.”, which, to the audience that’s actually likely to hear the song, seems to imply something to the effect of the person having something of an understanding about Jesus. Also, the song is largely intended as an attack against legalism, another thing running rampant among Christiankind. Also, while it doesn’t necessarily help on the radio, the singer for the band put out a video explaining the song, and makes clear the Jesus component of it. Going a step further, it was actually because of this song that my eyes were opened to what the Gospel actually means for us, so I find the idea of categorizing the song as shallow to be somewhat personally insulting.
    As for the others, not all, if any, were necessarily intended to be specifically praise and worship, and each has value in the points they are trying to get across. A bit to much “I” or “me” in some of them, but even there, much of it is self-diminishing.

    • Jerry R Wood

      Going a step further, it was actually because of this song that my eyes were opened to what the Gospel actually means for us, so I find the idea of categorizing the song as shallow to be somewhat personally insulting. “quoted”
      Might be more profitable if you were more personally insulted over our Savior being sullied by much of what is called “christian” music especially “christian” rock than the idea of categorizing the song as shallow, could you also tell me what your idea of the gospel is that you have gleaned from today’s contemporary music?

  • http://coryhartman.blogspot.com/ Cory

    I’m enjoying this series, and I’m looking forward to you finishing it. But I do wonder exactly how widespread the Christian-radio-that-isn’t-Christian phenomenon is. I don’t listen to Christian radio much, but the station that I listen to occasionally in my area consistently plays music that is doctrinally explicit (if often simple). It’s not that I don’t hear music that I think is musically banal or lyrically hamhanded (both of which are at least partly a matter of taste). But the message of most songs is straightforwardly Christian.

    So I’m wondering, does “positive”-and-wholesome-but-not-Christian music get substituted for Christian music on Christian radio more in some regions of the country than others? I’m also wondering if commercial vs. listener-supported makes a difference.

  • TJ

    I have been listening much more closely to Christian lyrics after seeing this blog, and I agree with Matt. I help lead at my church’s youth group, and tomorrow we are featuring the song “Someone Worth Dying For”. I think that I have a problem with this. We are NOT worth it, this song lifts US up and NOT GOD or his mercy and grace. I am conflicted though, because there are so many students who do not know God loves them and do not know about His grace. The beauty of this God’s love for us, though is that He still died for us even though we were not worth it! In light of this fact, we should not sing about how we are worth it, but how incredible and merciful God is.

  • Zach

    What’s wrong with the song “Free To Be Me” Besides the fact that it’s not centered around Gospel? I’m currently going through great struggles with Christianity, interacting with other Christians, and finding good Christian community (I mean BIG struggles). This song gives me comfort that when I’m with God, I’m accepted. I don’t feel accepted anywhere but when I’m with God. Please give me an answer, Matt. I need wisdom.

    • Anonymous

      hi zach-

      thanks for writing man! i appreciate and respect your openness.

      my main point in the post(s) is not to critique individual songs AS MUCH AS christian radio in general. if that song, “free to be me” encourages you, i think that’s AWESOME! I would just encourage you to ask yourself….WHY does this song encourage me? that’s an important question, since you said yourself that the song does not center around the gospel. just food for thought.
      I would encourage you to find a solid bible proclaiming church to be a part of.
      hope this is helpful to you zach. blessings bro

      matt

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