Fundamentally Reformed

Overview of the Issue

With many fundamentalists, music is a topic for heated discussion. A majority of fundamentalists teach against the use of contemporary orchestration in church. I’m not talking keyboards and violins, I mean guitars and drums. Such music is worldly, even Satanic. Classical music styles are preferred, and everything from Southern Gospel to Rap, Jazz and Country is frowned upon. Various Scriptural arguments are raised, but generally the argument comes down to such music being “of the world”. Christians should fill their minds with godly music, not that which Satan uses for his purposes.

I don’t want to downplay this issue. There are many good reasons for holding to a conservative music only position. But I don’t see this supported in Scripture. The fruits of modern Christian contemporary music reveal that such music is not Satanic. Rather it ministers to the hearts of multitudes of believers, and encourages them to live lives of faith. I conclude that modern music styles when coupled with decent lyrics are fine. And when coupled with Christian lyrics can be used to the glory of God in the church.

My Blog Posts on the Topic

One can view all my posts on the topic by clicking this link, but the major posts, where I hash out the details of this debate are listed below. Following those posts, I provide a list of recommended Christian music, as well.

The Music Debate

Are certain forms of modern music unacceptable for Bible believing Christians to enjoy or employ in corporate worship? This is the music debate. The posts below are my attempts to defend the discerning use of contemporary Christian music.

• The Rise of the Modern Hymn Movement
• Morality, Music and the Bible
• Great Thoughts on Music, Style and Worship
• The People Clapped, He Sat Down, and the Fundamentalists Went Wild [includes an informative, lengthy debate in the comments section]
• More on Music
• Christian Rap — Take 2
• 10 Points on the Music Issue
• Chuck Colson, Sam Storms, and Jonathan Edwards on Music
• A New Song for the Nations
• Music and Munchies: Romans 14’s Instructions on Food Applied to Music
• Dictating Applications and Enforcing Personal Convictions: Three Case Studies [one is music]
• Casting Crowns & MercyMe: A Look at Motivations
• They are Wrong, We are Right: Worship Wars and Music
• Dissonant Views on Music
• A Musical Antidote to Legalistic Thinking
• I Don’t Wanna Know If the Answers Aren’t Easy…

Music Recommendations

Many fundamentalists are simply unaware of how good many modern praise songs really are. They’ve heard a few shallow ditties and have written off the genre completely. Or they don’t understand that some of the songs are still worth singing when set to a more traditional accompaniment. Because of this I have tried to highlight the best modern worship songs available in hopes of encouraging more to use these Christ-centered, doctrinally rich, beautiful songs.

• In Christ Alone — Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
• Before the Throne of God Above — Steve & Vikki Cook; Charitie Lees Bancroft
• I Will Glory in My Redeemer — Steve & Vikki Cook
• The Gospel Song — Drew Jones & Bob Kauflin
• Worthy Is the Lamb — Darlene Zschech
• Knowing You — Graham Kendrick
• Your Great Renown — Eric Grover & Steve Cook
• Receive the Glory — Bob Kauflin
• Marvelous Light — Charlie Hall
• Hope of My Heart — Ken Boer
• The Power of the Cross — Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
• How Deep the Father’s Love for Us — Stuart Townend
• I Love You, Lord — Laurie Klein, with additional verses by John Piper
• How Great Is Your Love (How High and How Deep) — Mark Altrogge
• Jesus, Hope of the Nations — Brian Doerksen
• Across the Lands — Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
• Only Your Mercy — Scott Wesley Brown
• Be Unto Your Name — Lynn DeShazo & Gary Sadler
• O Church Arise — Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
• Hallelujah, What a Savior — Phillip Bliss, arranged by Bob Kauflin
• You Are My King (Amazing Love) — Billy James Foote
• My Heart is Filled — Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
• Here is Love — Steve & Vikki Cook
• Who Am I? — Casting Crowns
• Still the Cross — FFH
• On My Cross — FFH
• Wonderful Maker — Jeremy Camp (written by Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman)
• Lord God Almighty — Fusebox
• Once Again — Fusebox (written by Matt Redman)
• Let My Lifesong Sing — Casting Crowns
• With Hope — Steven Curtis Chapman
• CD Recommendation — Lifesong by Casting Crowns

Other Recommended Sites and Articles

coming soon…