I just found out about this Christian songwriter today. Vicky Beeching just came out recently announcing she is lesbian. Coincidentally, this last Sunday we sang a song she wrote, "Glory to God, Forever".
This blog article by Russel Moore is a great perspective on how we should resolve this title question going forward.
Mike Wittmer
a blog article
July 22, 2013
"...I doubt that most Christians noticed the problem because the song once mentions forgiveness and right before the end mentions the need for Jesus and the cross. But then again, so did Pelagius. This chorus is straight Dr. Phil, Oprah, and Chuck Finney. You would never hear it from Augustine, Luther, Calvin, or Jesus...."
by Matt Boswell
"To make hymn-style and chorus-style songs enemies is not wise. The Psalms are filled with many formats of songs that are to be sung. From simple refrains to antiphonal responses, from songs of lament to hymns of remembrance, our hymnal is vast. We must conclude that western worship is one way of orthodox singing, but in no way can we impose on varied cultures around the globe that this is the only way. The modern hymn and the praise chorus are close friends, especially in many churches where the music encompasses both variants of music."
by Carl R. Trueman
June/July 2013
"Tragedy as a form of art and of entertainment highlighted death, and death is central to true Christian worship."
"Perhaps it is ironic, but the church that confronts people with the reality of the shortness of life lived under the shadow of death prepares them for resurrection better than the church that goes straight to resurrection triumphalism without that awkward mortality bit."
by John MacArthur
Christian Research Journal 23/2
This article had a huge impact on me in my early stages of forming my philosophy of worship, and it can be credited for part of the motivation to title this blog--colossians316.com.
This document was adopted as part of the music and worship philosophies of Faith Baptist Church by the pastors and deacons July 10, 2003. For a more extended discussion on music and worship issues, please refer to Pastor Viars’ Summer 2003 Worship series and our other documents entitled “Corporate Music and Worship Philosophy,” and “Discussion of Music and Worship Issues.”
notes from Donald Hustad book, "Jubilate II"
Chapter 1
What is the purpose of music in church?
What is more important: music or lyrics?
music =emotional part, universal means of expression
words=the language part, infuse actual meaning
church music = art music ?
music functions in society as:
music functions in church:
Worship in the Scriptures
Notes taken from "Worship-A Way of Life, Chapter 4" by Patrick Kavanaugh
Private Worship in the Old Testament:
Private Worship in New Testament
Examples of Corporate Worship in New Testament
You can purchase his book here at this link.