Hymnody: The role of worship music in spiritual formation
Posted on February 21st, 2011 by adamdiehlI’m currently reading a book on spiritual formation, and there is a paragraph written by Kenneth O. Gangel regarding worship music in the spiritual formation of a believer. I want to share it with you below. It should be noted that where Gangel says “hymns,” the context seems to indicate that he is referring to “the congregational songs we sing in church” rather than making a stylistic division.
Worship music exists to glorify God and edify others. Based on God-given ability and skill (1 Chron. 15:16-24), those who serve the church in this capacity must develop their ministry most carefully (1 Chron. 16:4-6). and above all focus a doctrinal understanding of what they and we hear and sing (1 Chron. 29:20-21). We render all this in the power of God’s Spirit (Col. 3:15-17) and focus on hymns [songs], that reflect simplicity, singability, sound doctrine, clarity of message, and God-centeredness. In a fascinating study of New Testament hymns, [another author] concludes that the early believers developed their theology in precisely this way. (1)
What are your thoughts about this quotation? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Do the songs we sing shape our theology as much today as they did in the early illiterate societies? Leave a comment below. I have a few thoughts, but I’ll let you weigh in first.
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Comment By: Bruce Prosser
February 21st, 2011 at 10:32 pm
I agree totally with Gangel. Indeed the songs we sing in worship to God shape and mold what we think about Him. I love songs that are straight from the Psalms and other Scripture. It reinforces the truth and also gives almost immediate memory retention for some reason.
Our songs, hymns and spiritual songs that we are commanded to sing in the context of worship and personal devotion must reflect deep and abiding truths of the Gospel alone.
When we left our former place of ministry service one of the three requirements that I had for joining a new church was 1) verse-by-verse expository preaching and 2) Christ centered, Gospel promoting worship music and 3) a doctrinal statement that I could live with. I also had some other requirements. The poor pastor that met with me before even attending the church was not expecting the wringer I put him through. I had a series of over 20 questions that I drilled him with.
In a day of so much biblical illiteracy, it is an imperative that those who develop worship programming (not to mention pulpit ministry preparation) must carefully screen the words and thoughts that are presented. After all we will be held accountable on That Day for what we taught either by what words we used via singing or preaching.
Worship is a form of discipleship, it is not only about the preaching-teaching ministry.
Looking forward to more on this Adam.
Comment By: T Filbrun
March 22nd, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Gangel is absolutely correct, especially that our music must be of sound doctrine and God-centered. So much contemporary music labeled Christian sounds more ME-centered than HE-centered. Only A God LIKE You? Worthy of MY praise? There is no other God; He’s worthy of ALL praise. Music very powerfully shapes our thoughts of theology, just as in illiterate societies. How literate do you think our society is? Pray much.
Comment By: adamdiehl
March 22nd, 2011 at 10:41 pm
I of course agree with Gangel 100%. ALONG WITH THIS, should be the understanding that for centuries the early church shaped the theology through songs because people had no other way of reviewing theology away from the church facility. Reading for themselves was no option (illiterate). Podcasts were no option, etc.
So although I don’t disagree at all, I think there is an ADDITIONAL dimension. Worship music in the church today is no longer our primary way of teaching theology, necessarily (we have many other choices). Luther and Gutenburg changed quite a bit about our methods and the way we understand things – but that’s not at all to devalue the spiritual growth that songs can take in a congregation).