It's Not ALL about the Words

In the world of Christian music, specifically among the purposeful think tank of those concerned for God-focused corporate worship, I fear a trend.  I suggest it is a reaction to the saturation of superficial and emotionally-driven music that has permeated many evangelical churches the past decade(s).
Rising out of this in resurgence toward a prominence of God-exalting messages in music is the pendulum-like swing the other direction… which I judge to overcompensate.

Specifically: the trend is a hyper-emphasis on the words which downplays the rightful role of its accompanying music.

It’s not ALL about the words.

Oh, music is indeed to be LED by Scripturally rich, theologically true lyrics. Truth is primary.

But it’s not ALL about the words.  Don’t throw out the (proverbial) baby with the bathwater.
That is, don’t eradicate or minimize rich melody/harmony/musical expression and its sensory influence because it’s been used inappropriately by others.

How is this done? (Note the following examples are not intrinsically nor always inappropriate; instead, consider them red flags to solicit pause and analysis---especially if their use is frequent).

• Using newly-penned words to an artless but functional tune. 
• Frequently displaying text of music to the backdrop of a simplistic melody accompaniment. (Teaching a new piece of music is one thing; posting a known song’s text to the accompaniment of simplistic piano melody is another).
• Regularly using a centuries-old text and its corresponding ancient-era melody which reflects a burdensome musical style very distant from current experience or context. 
• Musical selection that gives priority to safe & inoffensive over artistic and sensory, when the message (text) of the songs are similarily sound. 
• Musical text that is frustrating in its density or so specialized in its theological vocabulary that the average person struggles to identify its meaning. 

Allow me to offer 4 reasons  it’s not ALL about the words.

1. It’s not all about the words because we are not merely and only thinking beings.
We are rational, emotional, and physical. To differing degrees,  each of us, no doubt.  But God’s creative hand fashioned us mind, emotion, and will.  Indeed, our response to God is commanded by Christ Himself to include mind, heart, and will.  Knowledge, affection, and activity. Truth,  feeling, and response.  Musical expression, whether in corporate worship or individual enjoyment, when accurately employed, captures and directs in all of these aspects.  Minimizing it to one supreme element, with only a nod to the others, is counterfeit and sells short the multi-dimensional nature with which God created us and in which He Himself communicates to us.  Did he merely state that the heavens declare the glory of God, or did he in tandem with this declaration display the majesty of a mountain sunrise, craft the aroma of sizzling pancakes, dazzle the exhausted birthing mother with her baby’s cry, ordain the sense of accomplishment after a day of hard work?  Indeed, intellectual truth combines with sensory support to communicate better in combination what alone would be only half as effective.

2. It’s not all about the words because the primacy of the message does not negate the influence of the music.  Perhaps it is the prevalence of “Christian” music whose lyrics are a mile wide and an inch deep, perhaps it is the attempts of believers to mirror the world’s sensory driven musical style, perhaps it is the imbalance on this one side of the ditch that makes us feel safer  on the other side (both are ditches!).  However, imbalance, distortion, and misuse do not repudiate the beauty of music’s proper and God-intended design.  Music affects the senses. Melody impacts the mind and heart. Song is meant to influence the soul. Harp or guitar, drums or cymbals, our physical senses are not evil in themselves .  We dare not become functional ascetics in our fear of being improperly influenced by melody, rhythm, or sound. Yes,  proclaim the words, allow them lead role in the parade of musical expression, but don’t cut the parade off before the backup of the full band follows.  Allow God’s masterpiece of musical expression to play with a full orchestra.

3. It’s not all about the words because presentation is important.
Thanksgiving dinner on paper plates?  Pachelbel’s canon on a toy piano?  A Shakespearean sonnet scribbled on a crumpled napkin?   Though none of these mediums changes the value of the masterpiece, how each is delivered enhances (or insults) the significance of the work and impacts how the recipient takes in the experience.  Rich truth put to pedantic melodies cheapens the message.  Scripturally-rooted doctrine and declarations attached to dry, dirge-like tunes or predictable, trite scores mask and distort the intended use of music itself. One does not transport gourmet cuisine in a brown lunch bag, no matter how functional it may be and excuse its use by saying, “it’s all about the food”.

4. It’s not all about the words because neither was Jesus.  
Our Savior spoke much truth; indeed, his declaration was that he IS the truth.  Primary and preeminent is the objective propositional truth He spoke…they were the words of eternal life!  But in backdrop fashion he framed this truth in non-verbal expression:  spitting on the dirt to heal blind eyes, turning jugs of common water into exquisite wine, walking atop the waves, multiplying bread to feed thousands from a boy’s meager lunch, taking cloth and water to scrub dirty feet, and then at the Crucifixion, in addition to the spoken “It is Finished” were added God himself tearing the veil, darkening the sky, emptying the grave of countless dead.  Propositional truth’s melody joined by the harmony of sensory declaration produced an unforgettable message. And the empty grave offered visually and tangibly its coda, the triple fortissimo of truth’s climax: Jesus is victorious even over death!  God communicated this with the trifecta of declaration, demonstration, and display.

I fully acknowledge that in this discussion individual preference for and concern about music varies greatly. Some will care little, and some will care a lot.

Some will mutter,” what’s the big deal?”

Some will cry “It’s not about you. Worship is to happen regardless of style/words/preference, etc.”

Indeed, this is true.

But though my hungry stomach is satiated after tator-tot hotdish served on a paper plate, my entire being is served after sitting down to our Easter buffet .

And when judging the value of the two above mentioned meal settings: only one ranks high in memory and is more obviously appreciated and enjoyed by all---and it is requested again & again. It is what family & friends  return to because it so superiorly accomplishes its goal.
In music, as well, the same truth applies.

The whole body of Christ is more fully edified, encouraged,  and strengthened by full-service musical expression which marries the strength of a true message with the beauty of true melody.

Allow me to repeat:  It’s not ALL about the words.