Chopsticks and Praise Songs
by on January 21, 2008
Chopsticks are made from many materials—bamboo, plastic, bone, jade and ivory, and it’s been rumored that silver chopsticks were used in the Chinese imperial palace for the detection of poison in the Emperor’s meal. If the food was poisoned, the chopsticks would blacken when the poison encountered the silver. And someone usually lost his life because of it.
Christian music needs a Chinese chopstick test. Years ago, I attended a church in my city for the first time. Several friends told me that it was the hip, new church in the area, so I went to see it for myself. As I sung the praise music, I noticed a theme threaded throughout the service—the songs had nothing to do with God. Some of the tunes described the Christian life; others contained verses about struggles and temptations. Still others included a “pull yourself up by the boot straps” message. It was a Sunday morning I’ll never forget because I was struggling with a sin I couldn’t shake. So there I stood, singing songs about how I can pull myself out of my problems while my soul was craving was a worship experience that took the focus off my abilities and placed it on God’s glory. Only God could lift me from my mire and I left the sanctuary disgusted and dirty from digging in my own centeredness.
Music finds its primary purpose in the worship of God. I’m a sucker for all kinds of music—blues, jazz, classical and some Reggae here and there. And I love all the uses of music—entertainment, relaxation and therapy. But music finds ultimate significance in the adoration of its creator. While the Psalmist does say, “Sing God a brand-new song” (Psalm 96:1), there’s nothing wrong with the old ones. Some of the greatest hymns of the faith were written when the United States was still in diapers. Take a look at Charles Wesley’s Hymn, “And Can It Be?”
This isn’t miniskirt music—songs that barely cover the essentials. In this hymn Jesus Christ is the theme. His saving work on the cross is adored and his power to keep us from hell magnified. Songs like these revere the God who sits highly upon his throne while mortals are kept humbly before his feet.
There is a great absence of theological songs in our churches and we need to recover them. It’s so encouraging to see modern hymn writers like Keith Getty and Stuart Townsned writing songs like “In Christ Alone.” If you are a musician, resist the urge to water down your talent with whatever the market says is selling. Entrench yourself in the Scriptures and extract praise songs that bring glory to the God who “sings over his creation,” as C. S. Lewis writes.
Revival is brewing, and it’s time for authors and musicians to take the lead and be the voices of a new generation.