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Note – The worship of God involves our whole being and every act we perform. In this article, worship is used to refer to singing in a corporate worship service.
There is nothing more important than sound teaching in a church. To many churchgoers, however, the type of music used in the service is often a high priority. Church leaders sometimes struggle with the task of choosing music that both appeals to the congregation and teaches sound doctrine. More and more often, complicating the issue, church leaders must decide whether to use songs that are finely crafted and theologically sound but come from a church or writer who holds unbiblical views.
Many believers strongly believe that songs, even those with doctrinally sound lyrics, should not be used if the writer, composer, or parent ministry has unbiblical teachings. Those with such convictions should follow their conscience. If they feel the need to talk to the church leadership about the issue, they should do so in a spirit of gentleness and humility and seek answers with the goal of peacefully settling the matter. If the answer they receive from the decision-makers is not acceptable to them, they may quietly submit to the outcome or quietly leave the church.
Ephesians 5:19 says that, when we are filled with the Spirit, we will be “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.” Music is thus an important means of communication in the church. It should go without saying that any song whose lyrics contain false teaching should be rejected. The Spirit will not communicate falsehood. Beyond the doctrinal test, there are several possible complications in considering a song to use in worship:
The songwriter has unbiblical beliefs. Horatio Spafford, the writer of “It is Well with my Soul,” didn’t believe in eternal hell or Satan. Francis of Assisi, who wrote “All Creatures of our God and King,” was Roman Catholic.
Catholic. Matthew Bridges, the author of “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” converted to Roman Catholicism. Should we remove those songs from our hymnals because of this? If the lyrics of the song are based on the Bible, does the theological background of the writer matter?
Recent controversies typically do not revolve around hymns. Nowadays, there are various churches and music groups that release impactful, and even doctrinally sound worship songs, yet are associated with promoting incorrect theology in their services and concerts. If the flawed theology is not reflected in the lyrics of their songs, can we still use those songs in our worship services?
What should be done if the songwriter has fallen into sin? How should we handle worship songs composed by individuals who have come out as homosexual or who have engaged in adultery and divorce? While the composer’s sin does not alter the quality of the song, it may affect the appropriateness of using the song in a church service—depending on the connections the song evokes in the minds of the congregation.
The lyrics, when correctly interpreted, may convey an unscriptural message. For instance, some contemporary songs commonly mention the Holy Spirit “raining down.” Many Christians interpret this as a figure of speech, referring to the nurturing and purifying blessings the Holy Spirit bestows in our daily lives. Singers may not be aware that the songwriter meant something more literal: a fresh outpouring of the Spirit bringing new prophecies, signs, and wonders. Which holds more weight: the intention of the songwriter or the interpretation of the singers?
Using the song could endorse an organization that teaches incorrect doctrine. A significant argument nowadays is that utilizing a song created by groups with doctrinal flaws would endorse those churches or music groups, thereby aiding in the propagation of their unscriptural beliefs. A popular song could attract people to explore the church that originally created it and expose them to false teachings. Furthermore, the producing church or music group earns money whenever their songs are downloaded or performed, and whenEver their lyrics are publicly displayed. The concern becomes less about the song and more about boycotting an organization that does not adhere to orthodox beliefs.
Worship must be done in spirit and in truth. It helps to go back to Jesus’ command that we worship “in spirit and truth” «But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. », (John 4:23). To worship “in spirit” means that we worship sincerely, with our whole heart. We can’t do this if the song reminds us of the unbiblical theology of the church or songwriter who produced the song.
Also, our worship should be “in truth,” that is, based on a true biblical knowledge of God. Every element of our worship should be theologically sound. If a song’s lyrics reflect questionable or unclear theology, it is foolishness to use those words to worship God; if we would not stand in front of the congregation and say it, we should not sing it.
Regarding the choice of songs for worship, as in all things related to the ministry of a church, we should act with wisdom, grace, and humility. We need wisdom in choosing the best songs for our specific congregation and in determining the importance of secondary considerations such as the identity and character of the songwriters and composers. We need grace to avoid becoming judgmental and to help distinguish between personal preference and vital doctrinal matters. We need humility to live according to our convictions and at the same time live in peace with our fellow believers.
