Music In The Modern Church

[Jason B]

I believe I am going to start a study on the subject of music/singing in the church. I intend to do this as a private study, not on AFF-but AFF is always good for different viewpoints and opinions. I desire to build up my doctrinal beliefs from scriptures, rather that popular church opinion/tradition and though I have opinions on the topic, I am willing to allow my presuppositions to be challenged and corrected by the Word (if need be). I welcome your thoughts, opinions, arguments.

Here are some random thoughts. Should we be more conerned for the style of music or the content? It seems like the trend is to sing upbeat songs (that one can juke and jive to) that are very weak on lyrics, some times called "7-11 songs" because a chorus of about 7 words is sang over and over (about 11 times).

How important are lyrics? What if they are set in a musical style that makes them difficult to understand (I.e. rap or hard rock)?

Are secular songs acceptable (like a former AFF poster who spoke of using the Beatles song "all you need is love" or NewSpring church in S. Carolina that used "highway to hell" in one of their services)? It is ok to sing songs that are essentially spirtually nuetral,I.e. not particulary mentioning God or anything definitive, but neither gorifying sin,e.g. "I believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly? What about using secular songs as one church did at offering time using Pink Floyd's (?) "Money"?

How important is doctrine in song? For example if we sing a song with scripture taken completely out of context, but yet its a catchy tune so everyone likes it, should we rock the boat and quit singing it?

Should we address satan in a song? (Satan you're kingdom's coming down)?

Should singing in church ever manifest a club atmosphere with a "worship leader" using phrases like "get ya hands up, get ya hands up", "uh huh, uh huh", etc?

How does what we accept as praise and worship (especialy churches which favor a very progressive style) compare in spirit and lyrics to 1)what scripture reveals about heavenly worship and 2)what we know about the secular "worldly" music industry?

Should "worship" service be like a concert where the audience isn't actively involved (not counting capping or dancing), or should all members of the body sing "congregationally"?

Just some things that crossed my mind, I've got opinions on nearly all of them, but I'm going to dig deeper in scripture to see those things are so.