Thread by @Andrewnsnyder

Too many Christians derive their theology from contemporary Christian songwriters who derive their theology from other contemporary Christian songwriters who also have never read the Bible or studied historical theology.

*Contemplating whether I should leave it at this or unload*

Plot twist: People on Twitter are encouraging me to say controversial things. I never saw that coming.

I’m heading out for a few hours, so my crusade against CCM will be delayed until later tonight.

So I got home later than expected and have work in the morning.

Crusade delayed until tomorrow afternoonish. Stay tuned.

Honestly, this is probably for the best. I have some things I want to say, but I should organize my thoughts to make sure I’m not just making noise.

First, I'd like to recognize that Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is an easy target, but the widespread reality and acceptance of a problem does not make it any less problematic.

Second, I don't doubt that many CCM contributors work out of great passion. However, passion alone does not make for theological leadership. As John Calvin said, "Zeal without doctrine is like a sword in the hands of a lunatic.”

So what is the problem? CCM (which is really just a self-perpetuating facet of contemporary Christian culture more broadly) is largely unmoored from the Word revealed in Scripture and clarified in church history.

Instead of pursuing theocentric awe in Christ by the Spirit unto the Father, CCM is so often directed at the self through nonsensical spiritual (but, of course, not religious) platitudes, and superficial sentimentalism.

This aesthetic heresy often results in objective heresy as well. I don't think CCM songwriters are setting out to promote heresy, but it is bound to happen when ignorant sentimentalism is the driving force rather than the Spirit working through the Word.

I'll now provide some examples. This won't be a methodical selection, but rather songs that just happen to come to mind. Some examples will take the form of specific lyrics with brief commentary and others will be more categorical. They are provided in no particular order.

1. "Jesus, You Alone" - Highlands Worship

"You are the Lord God Almighty
Strong in compassion and mercy
Oh-oh-ohh, Jesus, You alone"

This is unitarianism. This is heresy.

2. "Reckless Love" - Cory Asbury

"Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God..."

Nothing about the omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God is reckless. His love is sovereign. Not to mention the generally egocentric lyrics that pervade the rest of this song.

3. "What a Beautiful Name" - Hillsong

"You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now"

While not technically wrong, I'd consider this a rhetorical error. It implies divine loneliness.

4. "Above All" - Michael W. Smith

"Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all"

Did Christ think of his Church? Yes. But are we the ultimate (above all) end of his passion? No. The gospel is theocentric, which is precisely why it is so good.

5. "How He Loves" - John Mark McMillan

"So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently in side of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way
He loves us
Whoa, How He loves us"

Weird. Also, HOW does he love us?

6. "Love So Great"-Hillsong

"You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares"

After making two comparisons - one directly relating God's love with "the wildest ocean" - this verse says "nothing else compares." So does this mean that these comparisons are invalid or is it making the odd claim that these are the only valid comparisons?

7. "Chain Breaker" - Zach Williams

"If you've got pain, He's a pain taker
If you feel lost, He's a way maker
If you need freedom or saving, He's a prison-shaking Savior
If you got chains, He's a chain breaker"

This is so vague that it's effectively meaningless.

8. "Feel It" - TobyMac

"Oh, I feel it in my heart
I feel it in my soul
That's how I know...
Everybody talkin' like they need some proof
But what more do I need than to feel you."

This is total sentimentalism.

9. Any song that implores God to send the Holy Spirit down.

The Spirit was sent at Pentecost and has been with the Church ever since.

10. Any song written from God's perspective that isn't directly from Scripture.

Even IF the content is generally in line with how God has revealed himself (which it generally isn't), how is it possibly appropriate to do this?

This applies to books as well.

In conclusion:

Also: Cue presby friends telling me that all songs beyond the Psalms are heretical.