"he set his poem, "A Mighty Fortress" to a tune from a saloon"
That claim has been disproven by musicians. The reason for this faulty statement is that EIN FESTE BURG is in AAB form, which is commonly called "bar form" which refers, not to use in a saloon, but to "a medieval verse form, the Bar." (http://tinyurl.com/c96ctl)
The tunes Luther did use are not at all comparable to the rock music of today.
I disagree that the primary debate is about taste. I'm one who desires to "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness," and that eliminates worship in my way. Amos 5 talks about worship that displeases God. God said He hates and despises those things the Israelites were doing, thinking they were worshiping Him, because they were persisting in sin. Their hearts were not right with Him. So let's pray for each other that we come before God to worship Him with "clean hands and a pure heart" because only then can our God be glorified.
Posted: March 17, 2009
Monique (Guest)
Coming from a soon to be young local minister, I have attended both or all kinds of worship services, traditional, high mass with the bishop, contemporary, and praise and worship. Some I found extremely moving and others I did not. However, I have never walked away critisizing or tearing down ones way of worship. That would be judgment, if it brings you to a place where your in the presence of God than that type of worship is for you. Wether or not it has drums, an organ, five worship leaders or a field of electronic devises. Be glad that we can and have been able to bring people to Christ through new expierences, new sounds, and yes even new atmospheres. This intolerance has got to stop our negative words and attitudes just become obstacles to grace not only ours but those who are on the outside looking in. If you don't like the worship service, I'm sure there is more around that will fit your pallet. Anger is ammo for the devil to conquer and divide.
Posted: March 16, 2009
Wolf (Guest)
Have you ever watched the congreation while todays's music is blasted from elaborate sound systems? One does not feel like singing; (you can't even hear the sound of your own voice)! If you use worship leaders, are they not to try to encourage people to participate in singing and praising? Yet all I hear is a handful of people on stage trying to outdo each other with their vocal abilities! I for one miss hearing the voices of the people (without use of expensive audio equipment) and can still raises the rafters with their voices!
Posted: February 07, 2008
Leslie (Guest)
I agree that the debate is basically one of taste. When Thomas Dorsey began to write songs that are now considered Black Gospel classics, it was considered heretical. At one time the hymns that some now embrace so iconically were considered heretical by those who thought monastic chants were the only pious music. Nine times in the bible, God exhorts us to 'sing unto Him a new song'. We are made in the image of the Great Creator, who gave us creative talents, and creativity is change. Let's keep the heart of worship by embracing the best of both. Let's not allow the enemy to cunningly bring strife to the Body of Christ in seemingly pious ways that are really intended to divide.
