On My Grievances For Worship Music...

I recently have been experiencing a dilemma from my musical endeavors, as well as my perceptions on music-worship in particular. I constantly find myself (frankly) annoyed at Christian music for its monotony, lack of creativity, and most of all how I feel about what the role of that music is supposed to be. When I say monotony, I mean to communicate just what you all have, that it all sounds the same.

I oftentimes find my opinion aligning with that of Neil, that is, it must be insulting to an Almighty Being for such uncreative music to have been offered by a being of such greater potential. I think that we are better than G, D, C, (refrain) compositions, or are we? Some people just aren’t creative. Maybe those people are creating the best that they can. I don’t know, do you? There is a great struggle inside of me that begs the question of whether or not I am in the right place. Perhaps my understanding of the function of worship music is not where it needs to be.

Scripture tells us that the LORD delights in our song, but certainly HE expects the act of worship to be the most powerful, expressive, and humble act of our being. Maybe that is presumptuous. It probably is. Is the way that I judge music (especially worship music) even appropriate? With secular music, I feel as though I have the right and privilege of providing a social, creative, and personal critique upon it. On the other hand, is worship music even to be graded by the same standards? Pastors seem to tell me that it is the message that is important, that our singing is to be as a prayer to the LORD. I believe that is true; however, with me personally whenever I hear worship music I feel a strange, violating, almost haunting sense of distraction from the message of worship and find myself analyzing the music and placing scrutiny upon it. Who am I to do such a thing? I am belittling a faithful person’s worship to the LORD as being inferior, insufficient, even insulting when I fail to ask if what they are doing has a scriptural basis; or more than that IF WHAT I AM DOING EVEN HAS A SCRIPTURAL BASIS.

I have this feeling of not being able to fully communicate how I feel about the subject. Recently in church, I confronted my pastor about this issue that I’m having because it really has, does, and probably will continue to bother me until I resolve this problem within myself. I remember the passage that tells us that when we pray we are to, “let our words be few.” I wonder whether or not the simplicity of the music is necessary for the sake of worship. For me, it might be-I’m not certain yet. Maybe it is necessary for the masses as they would not have the ability to sing along to a song written in a 7/4 verse ending with a perfect cadence transitioning into a 13/8 chorus all the while making way to a free-time bridge. It’s simply not possible. I think that it is popular to have a 4/4 song in a simple major key because it is necessary for the large majority of the culture. They can interact with it much easier than a song that is more complicated like some songs written by my past band, Mayday!

This conflict eats me alive during every Sunday service or every time I turn on the radio hoping to find a good sermon on WFCJ (93.7 FM) and come to find a three hour period of worship music. I want to criticize the music for its lack of progressivism creatively but I am nearing the conclusion that I don’t have a place in doing that. However; that is not to say that I don’t think that individuals gifted with creative ability and aspirations shouldn’t pursue those abilities. I believe that individuals such as my close friends Neil, Kevin, T.j., and myself need to provide that option for people with a greater yearning for creative outlets out of commandment (“…do all that you do to the glory of God.”). The variety needs to be, and should be there.

Like Neil has outlined in his blog, he as well as all of us need to be reminded of just who all of this belongs to, HIM. None of this belongs to us; we are merely stewards of our abilities and our possessions for HIM as well as for others. What is ours now will pass on to another when we die, no matter how much less “worthy” they may be having not worked for the fortune that they inherit. We need to be willing and active in lifting up everything that we have and do to God. Like Neil, I find myself periled by the fact that I am so reluctant to give up that piece of “my” creative ability. In instances such as this, people have historically given such things up if they interfere with their ability to do all that they do to HIS glory. That is, if something causes them to stumble, to remove it from themselves. Sometimes I wish that I could do that, but other (and most) times I find myself praying for and trying to simply “gain the strength” to cope with this inadequacy. I think, “Why can’t I just suck it up and get strong enough so that this won’t be a problem?” –as if giving up is the easy way out. MAYBE SOMETIMES IT’S THE NECESSARY AND SAFE WAY OUT. Maybe it works for some and others are not called to do that, I don’t know. I can’t even talk about it, nor do I even really know what I am talking about.

Too many times; however, I find that those who are in positions of influence (musically) abuse that privilege and become the beast that they so thought that they fought to overcome. That is, that a lot of times even Christian musicians use their musical talent and status publicly to get attention, recognition –things of the world for that matter. Many musicians, including myself, like to look cool on stage having everybody’s eyes fixated upon them. I like it because it feels good, recognition. It is sinful; it is wrong. I sometimes wonder if maybe that was why Neil was reluctant to play out with Mayday! He had played out so many times that it didn’t mean anything any longer. Like Solomon in a sense, he recognized the vanity of it all, I suppose. This brings me to my greatest peeve in Christian music today, the Christian metal scene.

I am staunchly convinced that there is absolutely nothing glorifying to God about this music. Every inch of it is produced from the ego seeking recognition and even expressing and oftentimes advocating sin. My church has hosted many of these concerts because (and it so greatly grieves me that I could never describe it) it is what the youth these days want. They want to live in a culture of indulgence being permissive and tolerant of all things. Many of the groups that we hosted were encouraging violent mosh pits in the very sanctuary. Granted, I don’t feel any particular sense of holiness about a building mind you; however, in an environment and in particular an event geared at an outreach to the youth to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to me repulsive. Perhaps I’m wrong for thinking that; I probably am. It accomplished exactly what an outreach is geared towards, getting non-believers into an environment in which the Gospel can be presented. The musicians most of the time are exalting themselves, not God; however, it says in scripture that God works in all things for the good of those that believe in HIM. Maybe those selfish musicians do serve a purpose. I just feel really uncomfortable about it for whatever reason. This is how I feel even if it is not logically sound.

I suppose it bothers me not because the motives of these bands are selfish and for vain things, but rather for the reason that they profess that they are Christian bands which in my opinion tarnish the name of Christianity. Those who encounter Christianity may remember this band and think of them, only adding to layers of preconceived inconsistencies within the Christian faith and lifestyle. That’s probably not entirely true, but nonetheless, it is now a face that Christianity has and will have to answer to. Like I said earlier, God works in all things for the greatest good of those who believe in HIM; however, does that put me in the wrong for feeling offended because of the now shared title that I have with these hypocrites? I don’t know. I’m a man without answers.

I think that they way things are may be for the best (as much as I may not agree with them). The simple, horribly uncreative, monotonous music created by the Christian pop music culture is “working” for the masses. For those that have a greater yearning or need for creativity, the options are out there. For all of the hypocrites within the Christian music scene, God will use them anyways. What they do cannot tarnish whatever plan that God has. What is necessary though, is the focus. Just as when Peter encountered Jesus walking on the lake he only plunged into the waters after his eyes became unfixed from Jesus. No matter what we do or how we feel, we need to place our trust in him; take our burdens and leave them at the cross, lift up everything that we have to HIM, and never lose sight of HIM.

I like so many others really do need to forget myself and pick up my cross and follow HIM, though I often fail. Thank God that I have grace, though I don’t deserve it. In fact, I so undeserve it that I cannot even conceive of why HE would ever give it to me in the first place. I’m all the more grieved by my sins for the suffering endured on the cross in my stead. I feel grieved by my musical conviction, for it is a sin in that I stumble because of it. I judge the musical prayers of others by placing value upon it and the type of music I would like to make in HIS name, I fear, would not be totally to HIS glory. Like I said, we must never lose sight of Christ, what HE has done for us, and what HE is doing for us every minute of every day –allowing the Spirit to convict us of sin and to forgive us through grace, justifying us through faith.

I leave this post without an answer or an opinion about it other than it troubles me, it grieves me, and most of all it reminds me of just how unworthy I am of HIS forgiveness. Praise be to God.

In Christ,
Στεφανος Άρρις

A Disappointed Rant

What has happened to the atheist movement? There used to be a day when intellectual integrity, sound logic, philosophy and reason dominated academia. We find ourselves now in a world of atheists that now buy into the obscurities of the Zeitgeist Movie, and The God Delusion, and The God Who Wasn't There. Walk into any classroom of serious philosophy students and all will shun such works for the intellectual failure that they are. Propaganda, perversion, and control. The very things that these films and books profess they use to indoctrinate the masses. Flemming encourages all to escape indoctrination when people have succumbed to his pitiful aim to fight against God.

Does anybody even check the references of any of those films or books anymore? The two films I noted are all based on the Christ myth which is possibly the least respected intellectual position in modern scholarship. In my opinion, Dawkins did himself a great disservice by making an appearance in Flemming's film. To even associate one's self with Flemming brings into question just how respectful their attempts to antagonize God really are.

Notice that not a single Christian scholar or respectable Christian protagonist is consulted in the film. Who will win do you think? An atheist scholar (not even a very good one at that) or a street Christian who (I apologize for this) doesn't have a clue about what it is that they believe in and what it is that they are asserting intellectually when they say that there is a God; more than that, to say that He even came down in bodily form and dwelt among us. It's a disgrace, and a travesty to which I know Flemming and the creators of Zeitgeist will never admit. This is largely because they honestly believe what it is that they are asserting, but also because they are idiots.

Richard Dawkins was recently outraged by a university that refused to include his contributions to atheism on a course for students on atheism because there were so many more respectable atheists in history than he. They argued that much greater intellectually formidable atheists would be reviewed such as Sartre, Kant, etc. as he stood by outraged that he was not compared with them. What arrogance is this?

Having been an atheist at an earlier point in my life I can't help but feel depressed that I will have to waste my time dealing with such intellectually repulsive arguments as those of Dawkins, Harris, Stenger, Dennett, and Hitchens. It's a fad, and a trend (I hope and pray) that will someday stop once another great atheist of our modern era silences them all with a new breathtaking argument for theists the world over to face.

What many fail to realize is that it is intellectually reputable to be a Christian. Many run from Him out of weakness, though certainly they will say the opposite; that is that they walk away out of strength, that they no longer need the mythologies of an ancient and un-evolved man with which to cope with the existential burdens of our universe. However, I tell you that it is the fool who says this in their heart and believes these things. The fool assumes that he might brave the seas and swim without the lifeboat that Christ has provided for us. This wage is sin, and it leads to death.

Sin, the arrogance of man to assume that he can brave the storm; he certainly will drown from his own iniquity.

I believe that the truth will set you free. I am sure that you believe that too; we all do. I believe that as a category it exists, truth. There is also a category that I believe exists, that is untruth. There is much untruth to be sorted through out there, even in the midst of the church. Politics, propaganda, personal agenda it is all vain. Truth is an imperative that will outlast all things. You think and therefore you are, so too truth exists and will face us all. The brevity of life; the vanity of things; the haunting uncertainty of death.

I apologize for all the rubbish; the media, Christians who live unbiblically yet publically for all to see and mock, the man who is intellectually dishonest and produces a film to free a generation of believers from the shackles of belief only to lock them again into the despair and death that will come from untruth.

Be a skeptic, don't believe everything that you hear, read, and even think. Be reasonable, genuine, and most importantly of all HONEST. We are most often dishonest with ourselves to make our existence more palatable. Let it be known and seen that such a disposition is vain and without reward. Just look to the parent who became an alcoholic and still searches life for meaning when they have really lost everything. Look to those who scour the earth fighting their way to the financial summit only to find out that it is a lonely place, still haunted with desire. There is no hope in this world. A season comes and a season goes only to remind you that regardless of what you do, you will die anyways. No matter what fortune your life amounts to, it will be inherited by someone who has not worked for it and who is less capable than you. It is of no consequence what you become; you will meet the same fate as all men, death.

One may say this isn't perhaps so depressing as we have this life to look forward to and that life isn't intended to live in despair. I agree. Not for the same reason as the atheist; however. Why would one care if someone who has not labored inherits your fortunes? Why should you or anyone care whether or not you have contributed anything to the world? You will be dead, and what becomes of things afterward would be non-consequential anyways. I would argue that it does matter, just as the sensible atheist would for the simple virtue and reason that what it is that you do invariably affects everyone else.

My only derivation to this is that there is also a God to whom we are accountable who has demonstrated such and given warning so that we might not fall because of sin just as the first of mankind did. However, I implore you to not be a fool. Search your heart, your wit, and your very essence and find what it is that is truth; NOT what is TRUE TO YOU, but rather what is true categorically, imperatively, what exists apart from you. I tell you that it is the arrogant and the fool that insists that truth is subjective, that there is a reality special to each and every one of us, NO. These people will stand judgment as well, yes; even the fool who claims to be a Christian and insists that there is such a thing as their own spiritual reality. Their "truth" will perish with them; truth is everlasting and will survive even to the end of time.

Proverbs 14 tells us:

1The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.
4Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
5A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.
6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
7Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is good will.
10THE HEART KNOWS ITS OWN BITTERNESS,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
11The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN,
BUT ITS END IS THE WAY OF DEATH.
13Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
14The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his.
15THE NAIVE BELIEVES EVERYTHING,
BUT THE SENSIBLE MAN CONSIDERS HIS STEPS.
16A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated.
18The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
19The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20The poor is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
21He who despises his neighbor sins,
But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
22Will they not go astray who devise evil?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
24The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the folly of fools is foolishness.
25A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who utters lies is treacherous.
26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And his children will have refuge.
27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
That one may avoid the snares of death.
28In a multitude of people is a king's glory,
But in the dearth of people is a prince's ruin.
29He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
30A tranquil heart is life to the body,
But passion is rottenness to the bones.
31He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker,
But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
32The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.
33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But in the hearts of fools it is made known.
34Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
35THE KING'S FAVOR IS TOWARD A SERVANT WHO ACTS
WISELY,
BUT HIS ANGER IS TOWARD HIM WHO ACTS SHAMEFULLY.

If you want to see the rest, see Proverbs chapters ten through eighteen.

It is not the foolish who thrive in the eyes of God, but the wise. The likes of the New Atheists, Dawkins, Harris, Stenger, Dennett, and Hitchens will fade into the past, forgotten (I pray). The reputable philosophies of a forgotten age will one day resurface and be given the attention of an intellectually starved academia ravaged by the likes of boundless masquerades of the truth. This “fad” so perfectly characterized by Keith Breeze is, “…so ironic it’s painful, so hip it’s almost passé.”

You yourself know the iniquity of humanity. You have seen the evil deeds of man. Dishonesty, theft, sexual objectification, jealousy, dissentions, drunkenness, envying, carousing, and worse; mankind is a selfish creature by nature. All these things are vanity and lead to shame, guilt, and ultimately death. The Good News is that in spite of it all, our failures, iniquity, and shortcomings is that God has given you a way out; the gift of salvation and freedom in his Son Jesus Christ with grace and justification in faith.

Faith, so commonly a scarcely trodden upon word; it is the summation of your impressions. It is what you believe about the world around you. Faith is not a magical, mystical thing that you see in fairy tales but rather a certainty. Cogito ergo sum. I have faith that I exist, just as I have faith that God exists.

In Christ,

Στεφανος Άρρις