I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the very modern hymns.
Today’s song is King of Majesty from 2001.
Back in 2001, I knew little about contemporary Christian music. I do remember the contemporary stuff back in the 1980s, but it was nothing like pop or rock music. It was more like folk music. Some might see the very modern music as irreverant. But why should we think that God prefers the worship that occurs in 13th century catherdrals or 1950s Baptist churches? It feels more reverant, but maybe that’s just a cultural thing. It’s often said that much music, from jazz, to rock and souls etc. is rooted in gospel music. So maybe all music has a spiritual connection.
Surely God looks at our hearts. I see many YouTube videos sneering at modern Christian music or highlighting scandals associated with it. I suspect that most people in these movement are fine. You’ll always get some bad apples. But from a personal point of view, I can enjoy a hymn without aligning myself to its movement. If Hitler had written Amazing Grace, I’d still enjoy it – though I have much more respect for John Newton. But he had his faults too – before he became a Christian. And I’m sure that he’d admit to failings after he became a Christian.
I see some debate too about Dolly Parton. Again, some highlight her flaws, but I like to hear people praising God. I see on Wikipedia that the writer of today’s song, Marty Sampson, no longer identifies as a Christian. But that’s not gonna stop me from getting to know and getting to love the song. And I pray that Marty’s faith will be restored soon.
I have no theories as to why Marty Sampson lost his faith. But I wonder if people sometimes attach themselves to movements or churches without thinking things through and repenting and finding a deep personal faith in Jesus Himself. And when they get hurt by someone or something, they lose their faith. I could think of all sorts of things that would cause me to doubt my faith, but I’m so convinced of the truth that I just see them as puzzles. We can try to solve them or wait until we can ask our questions from heaven. YouTube is full of people who might attack or defend Christianity. If you want to walk away, you’ll find plenty of folk who”ll be happy to reinforce your doubts. And if you want to stay, you’ll find plenty who’ll help to answer your doubts.
But I would never want to walk away from Jesus Himself, though I might be happy to steer clear of some evangelical movements or people 😀 in the same way that I might steer clear of some general movements or people.
Here are some other versions of today’s song:
Hibernia Gospel 