The reality is that much of what is passed off for modern praise music is written by non-Christians working for the major “Christian music” companies, most of which are now owned by large, secular corporations. There is a reason why praise music has grown simplistic: Many of the people creating it do not know of Whom they write.

As for me, I stopped attending church nearly 20 years ago. When I began to question the “why?” of church service “procedures” and to apparent need to sprinkle my speech with Christian buzzwords so the other believers would know me as part of their group, it was not well received. In time, because I refused to conform to the superficial social customs of the modern church people began to question whether or not I was even a Christian.

When it comes to my faith in Christ and the reading of Scripture I’m about as traditional and fundamental as you can get. But somehow that very conservatism seems to have led me in a different direction than others who, much like the Amish or the Catholics, seem to trust tradition as much as they trust Jesus.

The journey continues and I continue to believe Jesus will nudge me in the right directions and I will continue to try to do what He appears to want me to do even if no one knows about it. I no longer seek the approval of men.

Years ago when I worked as the clubhouse manager (pastor) of a local religious establishment, I actually took a copy of our denominational hymnal and put a large “X” across the pages of inappropriate songs. That hymnal was then given to our volunteer choir director as a guide in choosing music for our corporate gatherings. I wish that a hidden camera could have recorded his reaction as he flipped through its pages.

“How Great Thou Art”, What are we actually singing about in this song? Is it just the writer’s experience, or does this really happen to us when we look at creation that “our soul sings” out to God? A lot hymns are not sung “to God” but are about the writer’s experience with God, and then we just sing that.

As for me, I have always remained clearly within the right-wing, conservative, evangelical movement within Christianity. This particular blog article arises from my passion for God-centered worship among believers, rather than the silly choruses that could just as easily be sung to one’s girlfriend with very little change of wording. I’m really sorry that my outrage strikes you as nothing more than “irritation, aloofness, arrogance, and annoyance.”

I cannot control the tone of those who comment here, as I maintain a fairly open policy for comments.

Again, the author of the blog is on track with truths, but the attitude is very much one of irritation, aloofness, arrogance, and annoyance.

Question: Which is a characteristic BEST known of the Emergent Church participant:

A) Humility
B) Patience
C) Irritation
D) Goodness

Answer: “C”

I used to be an atheist and when I would hear this type music it made me feel like God was kind of a light, happy-clappy concept. Now that I’m a believer it just seems so disrespectful to praise God in this way. I know that that’s not how the people mean it – I’m sure the writers and those who sing it mean well – but, like you say, if it’s hard to distinguish whether a song is about someone’s boyfriend or our Lord and Savior, it might not be respectful.

Great post.

My wife and I also hate it when our P&W songs say things like “I’m falling on my knees, offering all of me…”

We’re NOT falling on our knees, we are standing, maybe lifting our hands IF WE’RE REALLY BRAVE! It just makes a sometimes forced experience feel even more plastic to be singing about something im not doing. I guess I could literally fall on my knees right there as the song played, but i think that would be even more plastic.

anyway, cool blog nice read.