Sunday, I was sitting through worship, as chipper as can be, when I looked at the worship bulletin, and then I started laughing and mumbling at the same time. You probably know that feeling , that one contemporary worship song, with the horrible theology and bad metaphors that just drive you bonkers. So, after a couple of days of struggling with a title for this meme, I went all politically correct again.
So, here is the meme,
Please try to name ONE (I know, there are so many to choose from) CCM praise song that you find unbearable and at least 2-3 reasons why, pointing to specific lyrics if you must.
My personal favorite is “Days of Elijah”:
My issues with the song:
1. “These are the days of Ezekiel”– Oh really? These are the days of Ezekiel? Have you ever even read the first 11 chapters of Ezekiel? Ezekiel was not a nice guy and let’s just say there are a lot of corpses in the temple by the end of chapter 11. I don’t see many Christians in the US sitting on the banks of Chebar in exile. So no, I don’t think we want the days of Ezekiel, not for anyone!
2. “The fields are as white in Your world”– Ah, isn’t that lovely? Jesus is just coming back to save Europe & America. Lovely.
3. “And these are the days of Your servant David, Rebuilding a temple of praise”– One word. Solomon.
I tag: Joel & James McGrath & Scott & Amanda!!
If you were not tagged, know that I love you, and that you are tagged anyway.
Maybe the writers of the song took a hit of something and they saw a flying chariot and all that business?!
Yeah, they must have been on something. I am pretty sure a first grader would know that Solomon built the temple.
Oooo!!! This will be fun! Having been a worship pastor, I might have a hard time choosing just one.
I know, cant wait for your response!
I love: Barlow girl – I need you to love me.
1) if the line wasn’t about God wasn’t in there this song is the lamer version of “I want you to want me” by cheap trick
2) the song is clingy co-dependent and downright unhealthy
3) if we are created Imagoe Dei and take that seriously than God already loves us
4) Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead how much more do you need love? Really?
Link to lyrics:
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/i-need-you-to-love-me-lyrics-barlow-girl/fe988fb2edf47ee64825709900074979
lols, oh man!
“The fields are as white in Your world”– Ah, isn’t that lovely? Jesus is just coming back to save Europe & America. Lovely.”
Okay, here’s my weird random thought: Robin Mark wrote the song, and he’s from Ireland, so “fields are white” would be quite a sight in the land o’ the green.
Ha ha. interesting.
Maybe I’m missing something, but isn’t “fields are as white” a reference to John 4:35? The NASB reads “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” The Greek there is leukos, right? Seeing race in this is a bit of a reach, isn’t it?
No, i wouldnt say its a reach.
And the NRSV has that the fields are RIPE for harvest. Same with the NIV
Leukos can mean shining, but in the context of harvests, it means ripe.
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“There is no God named Jehovah. There is no God named Jehovah. There is no God named Jehovah. There is no God named Jehovah.”
Bahahaha! So true!
I’m coming via James McGrath’s site and don’t know this CCM songbook you mention, but from more traditional sources I nominate:
the faithful few fought bravely, to guard the nation’s life
Everything else in that hymn (Thy hand O God has guided) can be passed-off as at least a religious / faithful sentiment. But that line betrays the whole thing: it’s about nationalism and war, and so I will not sing it.
Good choice as well.
Nationalism is a real turn-off.
My current gag song is “Trading my Sorrows” (link to lyrics in case you need it: http://christianlyricsonline.com/artists/darrell-evans/trading-my-sorrows.html). this graphic comes to mind: http://friendlyatheist.tumblr.com/post/638216130/posnonrel-christians-not-persecuted-found In fact, if I have to make slides for that song, I just very well might put this graphic as the background
Definitely,I cant stand when Christians in the US claim persecution. Ugh.
David Crowder – No One Like
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/no-one-like-you-lyrics-david-crowder-band/959625f3f8cc163048256e9c00243940
totally Jesus is my boyfriend type song. Seriously only 3-4 references to divinity without them it is totally about a significant other type song.
Hahahahaaha.
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“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.” ‘Cause worship leaders inevitably try to take the title literally.
funniest comment! LOL LOL LOL
I was coming to play this game really late, but I see above that Hannah already mentioned the praise song that bugs me. First, “Trading My Sorrows” is all about how great I am (“I’m trading my sorrows/shame/sickness/pain, I’m laying them down). Second, you are bang on about the whole persecution complex and us versus them mentality, especially when the song lyrics quote 2 Cor 4:8 about people who were actually persecuted. Finally, the repetition of the word “yes” a million times, just in case it wasn’t clear the first time
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Okay, there, no wait
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
i want to play. this has been a favorite game of mine some time.
may i submit a candidate?
Yup. Go right ahead. Cant wait to see which one you pick.
ok. here she is: ancient words
http://robertcargill.com/2011/02/10/my-choice-for-worst-christian-song-ever-ancient-words/
Cool, I will head over and check it out, and will link it when i do the update tomorrow.
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Elijah and Ezekiel live! They have everlasting life in the Messiah!
In the Bible we have the most comprehensive and only inSpired account of “Him with whom we HAVE TO do!”
At the time I write this, Syria is in melt down, Isaiah 17 is unfolding before our eyes! As a man, and one who has been accused of being articulate, I am still “not (anywhere near) enough” to tell you everything God is doing. But this I fear: Those who have not found shelter in the shadow of the Almighty and the Name of Adonai Yeshua (Lord Jesus) are living under just the same just judgments as everyone did BEFORE Jesus said “It is finished.” Jews and gentiles who do not receive Yeshua are both together judged as unbelievers! In fact there was a mercy and grace for men before Jesus died and rose which has now disappeared with the preaching of the gospel! They had not yet received the full revelation of God! Yet if men were without excuse before the cross (Romans 1:20, 21) how much more are they not excused now after having heard and understood the Gospel! And none of is ever excused, but we may be forgiven!
The church age has been called the age or the dispensation of grace. I’m not totally comfortable with that definition. Is this day not more accurately an age of forgiveness? Of mercy for sinners repenting in grief over their sins against God’s love? And yes grace is real too. Some say mercy and grace are two sides of the same coin, and that would be “one denarius,” yes?
So these are the days of Jesus the Lord of heaven and earth. But if one refuses Jesus Grace and Truth, for that one it is as in the days of Elijah and Ezekiel, and worse in that the One who can save… they refuse!
God has not changed. Man must. Repent believe TRUST GOD in THE MESSIAH! And pray for me, I’m as needy as you, or more so.
Save your sermons for your own church.
Another adventure in missing the point.