We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Sunday, September 6, 2015

More Spiritual Junk Food


Here we go with another example of a the “Jesus Is My Boyfriend” genre of “praise and worship” music invading the Church at large from the aberrant church organization known as Hillsong.

This song was sung as a couplet with the last one I posted about (“Beautiful One”), and this one went first.  With these two songs together, it was sort of a weird, “yuck” feeling.  Notice the double phrase in almost every other line, and how long it goes before you discover it is addressed to God/Lord/Jesus rather than the boy next door. 

Forever Reign

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I'm running to Your arms,
I'm running to Your arms.
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough

Ladies and gentlemen, this is nothing more than spiritual junk food.  Why are we putting up with the “Hillsongization” of our churches?!?  

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glen,

You keep listing the songs we sing in our conservative (?) Baptist and Assembly of God churches. I would be offended except there is complete agreement with you in this area and unfortunately, the hymns full of good, sound doctrine never make it into the top 10 songs sung every Sunday morning.

Guess there aren't too many guitar solos for the praise team musical show-offs to 'wow' us with amazing sacrifice of musical prowess in those 'boring' hymns.

Tired of the 'praise team' shows and all of the back patting/idolatry that ensues. Sure do miss worshiping our LORD in spirit and truth, giving up our hymns of praise and thanksgiving only unto Him. And in the secret places of our hearts and minds, too totally worship our LORD, involves crucifying the worship of any flesh.

The repetition of most of our praise songs puts me into an emotional hypnotic state of boredom.

Anonymous said...

Hate to say this Glenn, but songs like this are common even in the most "solid" churches.

-Carolyn

Alec said...

This type of music is the faith for a whole lot of people.

I wonder if they find traditional hymns as detrimental to their worship as so many of us find their songs to our own.

Glenn, do you sing them when they play them at your church?

Alec

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Carolyn,

Yes, I know, and this is why I'm "making a stink" about them. Unlike those with aberrant or even heretical lyrics, these are just junk food and shouldn't be used, but virtually every church IS using them. We've discovered that in this area, and it is just sad. It is the "Hillsongization" of the church because every one seems to want the emotions rather than reason, pap instead of meat, and "relevant" to the culture -- essentially being like every one else.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Alec,

Those who find such songs beneficial in worship only find them so because all they are being fed is pap instead of meat, and they rely on the created enthusiasm. How "traditional" hymns could be detrimental to worship, with the meat of solid doctrine (yes there are some "traditional" hymns which are also bad - e.g. "In the Garden"), would be beyond me unless they are more self-focused than focused on God/Christ.

And, no, I don't sing these. First, they are what I call "radio songs" and the only people who know the tunes are those who listen to them on the radio or buy the CDs. Without music, I have a difficult time learning songs, especially when they aren't really designed for congregational singing.

Secondly, the moment I see "Hillsong" or "Vineyard" on the credits, I refuse to sing them because they come from aberrant and heretical places and I refuse to give them tacit approval even IF the lyrics are okay.

Thirdly, I am repulsed by "Jesus is my boyfriend" songs, and really don't like to go around and around and around with so much repetition - sort of like thinking prayers will be heard for their many words. :oD

Anonymous said...

Hi Glenn,

I know. I know. Sigh. I've about thrown in the towel, regarding church worship. As a musician, I do songs on my own at home most of the time as a way to praise the Lord.

-Carolyn

Anonymous said...

I'd just like to add that this song is hard to sing because of the phrasing. The melody is choppy. One day at home, just for fun, I sang the same lyrics to a tune from my hymnal, and it became monumentally easier to sing. It didn't change the lyrical content, but what a difference a change in melody made.

-Carolyn

castiron said...

Yeah, for some reason, the music of this song bothers me more than the lyrics. I always feel manipulated when it gets to the "running" part.

Anonymous said...

Alec,

Do you sing these songs and eat pork?

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

Can you please explain what eating pork has to do with anything?