I love praise and worship music. It's emotion and connection is almost mystical. It took me a little longer to get used to the dominant choral style of the Episcopal Church; although we do also have some praise and worship. But you know what I love, the good sound theology found in the hymnal. Check it out if you haven't. Our church uses one from 1982, I was six, Ha!
It can be a little funny how some of the modern songs can sound like 'Jesus is my boyfriend' but that isn't all together damaging. There are two popular current songs that are actually pretty sad. The first I will talk about is "Burn the Ships" from For King and Country. They have a line that says "Flush the pills" That is pretty rough. Most of their music is pretty inspiring from what I've heard on the radio. But what do they mean by "flush the pills"? Blood pressure, cholesterol, or are they shaming for "lack of faith" those who live with mental illness? Or are they talking about drug addiction? That would make more sense. But the song is unclear. I know these guys are popular and I wish they weren't so idealistic. Maybe they're young. This country and world has significant mental illness (1 in 5 are diagnosed) as well as a suicide problem. Medicine saves lives. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and there are no simple answers, even with faith. I am all for reckless abandon and trust my Lord. However, an opposition to the tools and science the Lord has helped us to acquire isn't a healthy or faithful road. It's arrogant. We are weak humans who can't even add a single hour to our lives if we wanted to. What if the medicines are evidence of the "Kingdom Come"? All the disciples still struggled, suffered and died even with tremendous faith. Our cross is unavoidable. St. Paul to Timothy said "No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." 1 Timothy 5:23.
Medicine isn't an easy choice for a person, and it is a grace. To grind our teeth against any medical issue because of faith is a misunderstanding of faith. Faith is trust even in the midst of suffering!
The next song really insensitive to the gun violence of our culture and is unrealistic in its avoidance of the past: Bulletproof by Citizen Way. It is a pretty unhealthy song for mental health. Yes, Jesus has freed us from guilt and shame but this is also an ongoing work to deal with unfinished business of our past. Particularly any experience of trauma which effects way more of humanity then we tend to acknowledge. Yes, it’s catchy and has a decent hook but it has a tough time with reality.
A mentor of mine often says "Healthy spirituality equips us to deal with reality, not avoid it."
Don't get me wrong, there is some healthy deeply spiritual and religious music coming out these days from the likes of: Jason Gray, Lauren Daigle, Switchfoot, Jon Forman, Tenth Avenue North, The Avett Brothers and Matt Maher, plus others.
My criticisms are in love. I have held unhealthy spiritual beliefs in my life and don't pretend to be perfectly healthy today. Shame has to die in the communion of the saints. Thankfully God is always faithful.
Great is Thy Faithfulness- Thomas Chisholm with music composed by William M. Runyan
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. “Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!