Worship Theology Project: Are We Singing Good Theology?

"Worship is the believer's response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does" (Warren Wiersbe, Real Worship, p. 26).

We are created in the image of God and our worship is living out this image as we respond to God's love. As Wiersbe's definition shows it is a whole life response to God's call. In other words, worship is a lifestyle and the more we know about God and who we are in him the better we can live out this life. Paul too has a definition of this response as he calls the Romans to, "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is true worship" (Rom. 12:1, TNIV).

Worship theology then becomes more important as we first need to have a clear view of God and his call on our life and who we are as image bearers so that we can respond with our whole life. The object of this simple project is to evaluate the songs we typically are singing as a Church based on the four theological themes discussed.

I will be using the top 25 songs as reported by CCLI this last period (http://www.songselect.com/Default.aspx, accessed October 2011). I am adding some notes to clarify the thematic meaning and how it relates to the Theology.

Worshiping God as Creator and responding as sub-creators.

God is the creator of all things and we are created in his image (Gen. 1:1, 26). Humanity is the crown of creation bearing the image of the Creator. Made to live in union with the Father of heaven, humankind was created with the ability to reflect God's glory to creation and articulate creation's praise to God - in this way acting as sub-creators.

"How Great is Our God" by Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin
"Holy is the Lord" by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
"We Fall Down" by Chris Tomlin
"From the Inside Out" by Joel Houston (new creation)
"Glory to God Forever" by Vicky Beeching and Steve Fee (we are created to praise him)
"The Stand" by Joel Houghston

Worshiping God as King over all and our responding as good stewards

He is Lord of all and we honor him by trusting him. His kingdom is here and present as God continues his restoration story in and through us. Called to be his stewards of grace, believers have one simple task to reflect God's kingdom here on earth by demonstrating and announcing this gospel to others. As believers serve in this way as an act of worship, they are transformed - the Church is transformed and as a result the world is changed. Our songs should both proclaim God as King and trust him as well as call us to be good stewards.

"Blessed Be Your Name" by Beth and Matt Redman (trusting him in all situations)
"Everlasting" by Brenton Brown
"Forever" by Chris Tomlin (faithful and good King)
"Open the Eyes of My Heart" by Paul Balouche (Song of surrender)
"Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech (Savior King)
"You are My King" by Billy Foote (surrender to his Lordship)
"From the Inside Out" by Joel Houston (surrender)
"Glory to God Forever" by Vicky Beeching and Steve Fee (surrender)
"The Stand" by Joel Houghston

Worshiping God as Trinity and responding to our call as relators.

God is relational moving through three different Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is out of a desired relationship with us that we were called back to him. We are called individually and uniquely to serve in community and as a Church to serve and love the relational world around us. We should be concerned about justice and restoring God's Kingdom values here in this culture. Our songs should tell about our relational God and call us to serve our church and community.

"Our God" by Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves and Chris Tomlin.
"How He Loves" by John Mark McMillan
"Hosanna" by Brooke Fraser (call to serve others)
"Hosanna (Praise is Rising)" by Paul Balouche and Brenton Brown (a "we" song)

Worshiping God as Savior and responding as salvation storytellers.

The story of restoration starts and finishes with God. He acts in righteousness on our behalf through grace. The story will continue until he returns in justice. We are his continued story of salvation as we are transformed and tell others of the true hope found only in him. We need songs that tell of this hope and victory.

"Our God" by Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves and Chris Tomlin.
"Here I am to Worship" by Tim Hughes.
"Revelation Song" by Jennie Lee Riddle.
"Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, and Ed Cash.
"Your grace is Enough" by Matt Maher.
"In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
"Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech (Savior King and call to be salvific storytellers).
"Come Now is the Time to Worship" by Brian Doerksen (telling the story of hope).
"Hosanna" by Brooke Fraser (a cry to come save now).
"Lord I Lift Your Name on High" by Rick Founds (telling the story).
"Hosanna (Praise is Rising)" by Paul Balouche and Brenton Brown (God who saves and proclaiming the hope we have).

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