Blokey blokes and church music...

Maybe what we need to do is set the psalms to heavy metal music. Power chords are very masculine, especially when blasted out of a Marshall stack at 110 decibels.

On the other hand, the congregation could not hear themselves sing, but they could still mosh and head-bang to God.

[I'm joking.]

>Why not chant the psalms the way God's people did?

Because the martyrs of the Reformation were insufficiently masculine.

I don't know if the word "bloke" is used in American English, but if you haven't come across it, it's British for "regular guy". Which, curiously, is what Matt's accent sounds like, which makes me wonder how on earth he could write one of the songs he did. Because he can and has done a lot better.

But I digress. I have challenged my own pastor, more than once, about songs of the Jesus-is-my-boyfriend variety, and will no doubt continue to do so. At the moment, though, I'm listening to one modern worship song:

I was born

I was born to sing for you

I didn't have a choice but to lift you up

And sing whatever song you wanted me to

I give you back my voice

From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise ...

Justified until we die

You and I will magnify

The Magnificent, oh the Magnificent

Now, does anyone know where it's from? ;-)

Very interesting change of heart by Matt Redman, certainly makes me interested to hear what changes to expect for his next album (hope that wasn't his only intent), and how it might change the face of CCM. Between how widespread his music is, and his contacts within CCM (via touring, etc). All that from a human-perspective, of course. Sounds positive.

Ezra 3:13 "...the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away."

1Samuel 4:5 "As the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded."

1Kings 1:40 "All the people went up after him, and the people were playing on flutes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth shook at their noise."

Kevin, I'm convinced from Scripture that the worship of God's ancient people Israel bore far more resemblance to the vociferousness of these fine "blokes" then to the principled politeness of white-collar Reformed congregations today.

Thank you for posting the link.

3 higher education degrees.
Classically trained violinist.
Harvey Fellow.
Well traveled.
Well read by today's standards.

I'll be white collar till the day I die no matter how much wood I split.

Where in the world does this peculiar obsession with "social class" come from?

I drive a forklift and work on a dock and have a couple higher-ed degrees. Does that make me some kind of white/blue collar hybrid? Do I need my own worship service?

Dear Matt,

I am afraid you have made an error in calling for a response from Pastors Tim and David on this issue. You assume the argument over worship in the church or the way class affects that worship is a new one to this blog. They have addressed these issues several times by now and calling them to answer is calling them to repost past work.

Ben Curell

Dear Matt,

For starters, I would direct you to the following posts:

First, this post contains probably the most extended, instructive discussion and interaction of any such post I've seen:

http://www.baylyblog.com/2009/06/worship-and-music-you-dont-want-to-miss-this.html

Second, this post on some principles of the Good Shepherd Band: http://www.baylyblog.com/2008/08/church-of-the-g.html

And finally, this series of posts on music and musical style in worship (though note, not written by Tim or David):

http://www.baylyblog.com/2005/12/thoughts_on_mus.html
http://www.baylyblog.com/2005/12/thoughts_on_mus_1.html
http://www.baylyblog.com/2005/12/thoughts_on_mus_2.html

There are others, but I'd start there.

Warmly,

Josh