Question:
When we lead people into worship should we be using more songs that mention God's name instead of using pronouns?
Answer:
Originally Posted by WorshipJesus When we lead people into worship should we be using more songs that mention God's name instead of using pronouns? I don't know if that would be a deal breaker for me on song selection, but I would generally say yes.
Looking over my catalog of songs, I don't have many that don't at least use "Lord" in the lyrics. But would just "Lord" be sufficient?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Tony I don't know if that would be a deal breaker for me on song selection, but I would generally say yes.
Looking over my catalog of songs, I don't have many that don't at least use "Lord" in the lyrics. But would just "Lord" be sufficient?
I would definitely say that's ok. I think songs with the name of our God and Savior are more intimate.
Answer:
Originally Posted by WorshipJesus I would definitely say that's ok. I think songs with the name of our God and Savior are more intimate.
I don't really understand...is this a JW trick question or something?
I think God knows His name regardless of which one we use and He knows the intent of our heart if we say "You", "Him", "He", "His" or "Your".
Answer:
Originally Posted by gtrdave I don't really understand...is this a JW trick question or something?
I think God knows His name regardless of which one we use and He knows the intent of our heart if we say "You", "Him", "He", "His" or "Your".
BING...we have a winner.
Answer:
We have pronouns for a reason.
Answer:
Originally Posted by gtrdave I don't really understand...is this a JW trick question or something? Lol.. that was a good one!
I think God knows His name regardless of which one we use and He knows the intent of our heart if we say "You", "Him", "He", "His" or "Your". I agree. I'm not saying that songs of worshp aren't allowed to have pronouns, but what I am trying to say is that some songs only have pronouns and they can actually be taken as songs to your girlfriend or something. One song that brings this to my attention is "Draw Me Clost to You". If you want the lyrics, I'll PM them to you.
Answer:
Originally Posted by WorshipJesus Lol.. that was a good one!
I agree. I'm not saying that songs of worshp aren't allowed to have pronouns, but what I am trying to say is that some songs only have pronouns and they can actually be taken as songs to your girlfriend or something. One song that brings this to my attention is "Draw Me Clost to You". If you want the lyrics, I'll PM them to you. \
I know what you're saying, but at the same time, a song like that sung in a church, during a worship service, seems kind of obvious who the pronouns are being directed towards. Sure, if you're standing on a downtown street corner singing it, people probably wouldn't have a clue.
Answer:
doesn't that song have the words "my king" somewhere in there? How could that be taken as a song to a girl?
Answer:
Originally Posted by WorshipJesus I agree. I'm not saying that songs of worshp aren't allowed to have pronouns, but what I am trying to say is that some songs only have pronouns and they can actually be taken as songs to your girlfriend or something. One song that brings this to my attention is "Draw Me Clost to You". If you want the lyrics, I'll PM them to you.
Like Dave said, I think context is pretty key. Would I string 5 songs like "Draw Me Close" together? Probably not, but I don't see a reason to say the song's all bad if it's put in a context that includes more explicitly God-oriented statements. I also think that a more useful consideration is what the song says to or about God, not the manner in which it refers to him. "Before there were days, you searched me and knew my ways" substitutes the pronoun, but it makes a strong statement about God.
On the other hand, I do think the various names and titles of the persons of the Trinity can teach/remind us a lot of God's character, which can get a little lost with only using pronouns. Let's have some more, "Paraclete!"
Answer:
When you are drawn into worship of God, who else are you singing about, bowing to or speaking to? Ideally, we should not have to "draw" ourselves into worship, we should already be there. But, for me, I am more often drawn out of worship by the distractions of the world and daily life, like work or even my family. I think most songs are written from the standpoint that we are already worshipping Him, even without the music. Therefore, there should not be a problem.
Answer:
Originally Posted by WorshipJesus One song that brings this to my attention is "Draw Me Clost to You". If you want the lyrics, I'll PM them to you. The issue there is more that the song is a love song to Jesus. As long as we're singing simple, emotional love songs to Jesus using names of God instead of pronouns is a rather silly critique.
Answer:
Ok, let's try a little experiment here:
Here is Our King
Here is Our King
Here is Our Love
Here is Our God who's come to bring us back to [God]
[God] is the One [God] is Jesus
Personally, I think it sounds stupid.