Many church music authorities attempt to establish common ground between defenders and critics of Christian worship music (CWM). While some may argue that such choices are presumably a disputable matter, the fact remains that some disputable matters lie in a direct, straight and narrow path to the Cross, while others may take a more circuitous route, and often detour into the weeds on their way there.
CWM already represents common ground; the musical style as a whole therefore represents a compromise of pop-culture-sounding music and very often only a modicum of Christian theology in lyrical content. It seems that the culture (and pop music industry) got the better deal in the compromise. So, how can we reconcile seeking “common ground” between that which is already a compromise with pop culture, and the admonition in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” which would seemingly apply to our choices for music for worship?
Before I am accused of not showing any tolerance for contemporary worship music styles, let me explain that most people believe the word “tolerant” means embracing all views. In fact, the historical non-medical definition of the word is “putting up with some error” despite the many other definitions embraced by various social, political, and special-interest factions. When manufacturers have to machine a part to exacting specifications, that spec assigns a certain level of “tolerance” to that exactness. The part must meet the specifications, which include an acceptable level of error, and not just any error. Whenever too much error is present beyond that defined by the specification, the part is “out of tolerance” and can’t be used for the intended purpose.
While the reproach is aimed at those who would seek neutrality with the world in intellectual endeavors, should it not also apply to such issues (such as music for worship) where worldly compromise has already occurred? The late Christian theologian and philosopher Dr. Greg Bahnsen wrote in Always Ready:
The Christian who strives after neutrality in his thought is found actually to be endeavoring to efface the fact that he is a Christian! By denying his distinctive religious commitment he is reduced to apostate thought patterns and absorbed into the world of unbelief.”
John Calvin wrote in the first book of his Institutes of the Christian Religion that worship is what separates man from the remainder of creation; everyone worships something, and because of sin, we have become what Reformed theologian Dr. Cornelius Van Til called “creature worshippers” by venerating something created rather than He who created us. In every church that offers traditional and contemporary worship services, there will be those who state that they attend service for the music, with all other considerations– which may include the act of worship–being of secondary significance.
Worshippers who hold to a biblically reinforced Christian worldview (they believe in God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ, and they believe Scripture is the infallible Word of God) do not seek common ground or compromise with unbelievers in matters of the faith; worshippers take for granted God in everything first. Is it a stretch for that approach to serve as a type of “portal” through which all offerings generated from the culture enter the sanctuary? Being “in this world but not of it” does not imply concession; it entails maintaining a true course by negotiating around—not compromising with—cultural obstacles that lie in our path.
