Songs with Bad Theology or Repetitions

Dr. Couch, do you think the Lord is pleased with Christians singing songs with bad theology or mindless repetitions? ANSWER:  Of course not. But we are all limited in our perceptions and understanding about things. And we all make mistakes. Someone has well said, God will not judge us for our mistakes but He will judge us for our sins. None of us see 20/20 in our spiritual vision. God is an understanding heavenly Father. He knows for better than we what our limitations are.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6/10)

Christian Music

Dr. Couch, some time ago you gave your opinion about Christian music today. Could you repeat that? ANSWER: I'll try though I'm up to my ears writing books presently that I think need to be done. But I believe Colossians 3:16-17 is an important verse that settles the issue of what kind of music churches should be promoting in their assemblies.    Paul starts off with a general statement that "the word of Christ richly dwell within" us. He then says that the word should be coupled with "all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ..." In other words believers should be aware of what the word of Christ is doing for the believers. We are to "admonish one another with psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing with thanksgiving in your hearts to God."    Songs are to be used "to admonish." This is the Greek word "noutheteo" which means "to establish, place the mind" in a proper position. This is in the Present Tense which means that such admonishing with spiritual songs should be the standard continually practice that needs to be always carried out this way!    The word "mind" ("nous") is in the word. In other words, we are to be in the good sense "brain-washed" by "spiritual" music. "Spiritual songs" means songs that are controlled or influenced by the Holy Spirit. Every time the word "spiritual" is used it has to do with such an influence of God's Spirit.    Therefore you cannot have junk music being sung!    I really don't think it is that difficult to know whether music is influenced by the flesh or by the Spirit of God! The modern, hot-rock music is meant to please the ears of a younger crowd who like and want fleshly songs rather than songs that have to do with something spiritual and that which is solid!    Good spiritual music should also inspire thanksgiving in the "hearts" (emotions) toward God. We are speaking to Him! Paul adds that whatever we do (including singing) we are to be "giving thanks" through Christ "unto God the Father." Twice God is to be considered in what we do, especially in the issue of singing solid spiritual songs.    Here is my little list that I think is important when considering music: 1.Can I understand the words? 2.Do the words conform to the Word of God—are they doctrinally solid? 3.Can I hummm the words and tune in the shower? In other words, do they stick to my soul and allow me to repeat them over and over again?  I personally believe most younger people are in rebellion with the churches and with the Lord. They want to imitate the world, and sound like the culture. They squint their eyes when singing, go up and down like a roller coaster, warble like a bird, and sing tunes that no one can repeat or share with others. The words cannot be understood, and I think that this is a strategy which they carry out in order to be "contemporary"! Garbage either is or it is not. It does not take a rocket scientist to know what is spiritual, right or wrong in music. The Spirit of God is either with the music or He is not!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Apr., 10)

Celebrating Christmas

Dr. Couch, should we be celebrating Christmas, since this is a "Catholic" word: Christ-mass? We are not commanded to do so in Scripture. ANSWER:  This reminds me of the Church of Christ folks who argue, since musical instruments are not mentioned in the Bible to use for worship, therefore, it is wrong to use musical instruments in church worship!    And, I guess Christ was wrong to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, since the Jews were not commanded to do so in the OT! (see John 10:22-30.) Did you know that He did that? There is nothing wrong with remembering certain blessings in either the OT or NT. This is what Christ did. This is what we do with the Lord's Table. It is a "remembrance" and it is Passover condensed and abbreviated. I don't know of any true believer in Christ who became a Catholic because of the word Christmas. Some words become embedded in our vocabulary by usage, but most people don't know of the origins of such words.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

Dr. Couch, in Ephesians 5:19 we are told by Paul to speak to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Are we supposed to do this literally, and if so how? ANSWER: This is not a moral command. It has to do with the heart of the fellowship time of the believers in the church. "Hymns and spiritual songs" is what we all do in churches right now, hopefully! We have to avoid a legalistic approach to such words by Paul and the other apostles. This is to be the spiritual result of the Holy Spirit making such sharing real as Paul says in verse 18. He adds "making melody with your heart to the Lord; and giving of thanks ..." (v. 20).    In my Ephesians commentary just out I made this statement on the passage: "The greatest unsaved vocalist on earth is totally incapable of making a pleasing melody to God from the inner recesses of the soul. One has to be in close fellowship with the Lord to be controlled by the Holy Spirit for this to happen. Yet the Spirit-filled (controlled) believer can scarcely be restrained from such activity, whether a good vocalist or not. The 'heart' is what speaks to the Lord."    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

Loud Music in Church

Dr. Couch, what about loud music in the worship service at church? There is a difference between "loud music" and "strong music" that is, beautiful music in its composure and presentation. As a teenager, I sang in the choir at church, and each year we presented in concert George Frideric Hendel's Messiah. Now that is strong, forceful, and overpowering music! But it is not "loud" in the discordant sense.    They deny the truth, but younger people like just plain old loud, noisy, ear-splitting music, that in no way can be classified as meaningful. Some argue, "But that is what speaks to us! I say: Garbage! That is what they like but in no way is it edifying.    I have three rules that I believe are right and correct when evaluating music. And to a degree, the same rules, adjusted, can be applied to art.    They are: (1) is the music theologically correct? (2) can you understand the words? (3) can you hum the tune, and repeat the words in the shower? If so, the music is coming up and out of your soul. And it is repeatable! If these three rules are violated, then, in my opinion, it is not good music!    I do not automatically reject contemporary music. Common sense lets us know if it is a good piece of music or not. But unfortunately, most contemporary music does not come up to the standards I have just alluded to. "But Dr. Couch, that is your opinion!" No, it is common sense. Some younger people like the loud, discordant music because, they would argue, it is part of their musical scene, and, it is not accepted by older people, therefore, it is good!    Try to follow what is being sung in most contemporary pieces of music, and then listen to Amazing Grace! End of discussion!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Oct. 2009)