Should We Sing Worship Songs from Questionable Sources?

Type of Doctrine: Usually Secondary or Tertiary

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

-Colossians 3:16 ESV

Why Does It Matter?

Should we sing worship songs from questionable sources in our church worship services? Some say yes. Others argue that we can sing certain songs in certain situations. Still others argue that we should not. This article will explore this disagreement in more depth.

Most consider this either a secondary or tertiary issue. For those who consider it a secondary issue, they would prefer to attend a church which does not sing songs from questionable sources. Others, however, consider it a tertiary issue, meaning they consider it an agree-to-disagree issue among believers but remain in the same church.

What Is It?

As a matter of clarity, let's begin with some definitions.

First, let's examine the context. This article is specifically addressing using worship songs from questionable sources within corporate church worship.

Next, let's clarify the phrase "questionable sources." I'm not aware of anyone arguing for using songs written by non-Christians in worship services. (Certain seeker sensitive churches utilize secular songs in a worship service in order to reach nonbelievers. I'm not referring to that specific situation here. That will require another article altogether.) Instead, the argument often arises when considering using a song in corporate worship from another Christian church or ministry with whom there is disagreement about doctrine. (Frequently, I've heard this argument pop up when a church chooses to sing a song produced by: Bethel, Elevation, and/or Hillsong.) Sometimes the argument centers around contrasting contemporary songs with older songs (often referred to as "hymns"; more to come on that terminology!). Other times the disagreement can deal with the objective, God-ward focus of older songs compared to the subjective, individualistic nature of many contemporary songs.

Third, I want to clarify that I generally consider this a tertiary issue. It seems to me that Christians should be able to agree-to-disagree, not make a big issue out of it, and remain in the same church. Many of these disagreements can easily get out of hand because of theological triage problems. Many times Christians can treat issues, such as this one, as if they are all primary issues. I think this explains why some Christians seem to bash everyone with a hammer with whom they disagree. (And, in these cases, it seems that the person expects everyone else to agree with him in every way or else the other person is wrong, and dare I say it, not Christian!) Thus, I think this probably should be a tertiary issue. (Although there is undoubtedly a spectrum of questionable sources!)

However, I recognize that significant disagreements on this issue could dramatically influence church worship services. Therefore, the practical impact is this: it could become a secondary-type issue where it may be more wise to simply part ways for the sake of unity in Christ and align with other believers that have the same view. But, we would do well to remember this: there is probably no church that we will agree with 100 percent of the time! Let's refine each other, bear with one another in patience, be quick to listen, be slow to speak, and be slow to part ways!

So, to clarify, we're talking about singing songs in a church worship service from questionable, Christian sources with whom we disagree on doctrine.

A Few Preliminary Considerations

Before we examine Scripture, let's consider a few preliminary items:

• There are not any songs that we sing in English today that are found in Scripture or in the early church! Therefore:

  • No song is automatically biblically required or forbidden. No song has a divine stamp of approval. We must be Bible-saturated and use discernment.

  • Moreover, songs are not better just because they are older. (I can hear the cheers from the contemporary music crowd!)

  • But also, songs are not better just because they are newer! (I can hear the cheers from the traditional, hymn-singing crowd!)

• If a church, band, or ministry subscribes to all of the primary doctrines of Christianity, then we should be reluctant to refer to them as non-Christians, heretics, false believers, and so on (even if we have concerns and choose not to sing their music!).

• Churches and ministries with questionable theology and practice sometimes produce individual songs that are biblical, helpful, and powerful. (Can't God still use a biblical song from a less reliable source?)

• Sadly, our age is highly subjective and individualistic. Our culture will likely affect (or should I say infect) the worship songs that we produce. In the worst cases, tragically, this may focus the worship songs upon ourselves, rather than God.

• Nevertheless, must include the character of the songwriter into the equation. (Specifically, I mean it may be troubling and distracting for people to sing a song from a writer who has fallen into blatant, public, unrepentant, and egregious sin—even if it’s otherwise a biblical, helpful song.)

A Significant Scripture

Paul's message to the Colossian church in Colossians 3:16 is significant for quite a few reasons. Consider these:

• First, it addresses congregational singing (“one another” shows they are gathered).

• Second, it discusses the content of congregational singing ("word of Christ," Scripture).

• Third, it explains the types of songs which are sung (e.g., "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs").

• Fourth, it gives the tone of congregational singing (i.e., with thankfulness).

• Fifth, it provides the direction of our singing (i.e., upward to God and outward to one another; also see Eph. 5:19).

Let's look at Colossians 3:16 in a phrasing, and then, in the chart below, let's look at the words "psalms," "hymns," and "spiritual songs" more closely.

[Col 3:16 ESV]

(This may not display properly on a mobile screen.)

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell

in you

richly,

teaching

and admonishing

one another

in all wisdom,

singing

psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

with thankfulness

in your hearts

to God.

Types of Songs	Description	Possible Applications
Psalms (Greek: ψαλμοῖς)	Singing psalms from the Old Testament	We could sing an entire psalm and put it to music. However, there are some things that complicate this desire. Since we don't speak Hebrew, we are using a translation of the Psalms. We also have different musical styles than they did. Therefore we may need to apply this in different ways than they did in the OT & NT. Examples: Singing a portion of a psalm; Using a psalm or phrase from a psalm as a spring board
Hymns (Greek: ὕμνοις)	Singing songs composed about our Triune God	Composing songs that praise, magnify, and glorify God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Note: Today we often refer to hymns as songs that were written a few centuries ago, but biblically speaking hymns can be old or new! The contemporary songs may also be referred to as hymns. Also, note the Greek word for "hymns" is plural. The assumption is that we will compose numerous songs to worship God.)
Spiritual Songs (Greek: πνευματικαῖς ᾠδαῖς)	Singing songs energized by the Spirit (perhaps even spontaneous, prophetic songs)	Both cessationists and continuationists can agree that the Spirit energizes our singing. However, the application will likely be different for each group. Cessationists will likely be more comfortable with the Spirit energizing songs as they follow the plan and sing pre-determined lyrics. Continuationists on the other hand may desire this and more. They will likely be more comfortable with a spontaneous approach that includes Spirit-energized words, phrases, and songs that the Spirit brings to mind on the spot (even prophetic songs).

(Note: I highly recommend Sam Storms' book Practicing the Power for a more in depth treatment on singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Also, here is an article from Sam's blog on the same topic titled, "'Spiritual Songs' and our Corporate Worship: Some Thoughts on Ephesians 5:18-21.")

Some Conclusions

• Here are some implications from Colossians 3:16:

  • Let's make sure the word of Christ is dwelling richly in us and in our songs. We want to be filled to the brim with the Bible so it pours out in our songs!

  • Let's make use of the God-breathed songbook in our Bibles (i.e., Psalms).

  • Let's not create a false division between old songs and new. Biblically speaking, both are considered hymns.

  • Let's pray that our songs and worship services are filled and energized by the Holy Spirit.

  • Let's make sure to include the variety of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

  • Let's not neglect the horizontal value of congregational singing (again see Eph. 5:19). (One powerful way I've noticed this at work: Seeing someone you know who is going through a difficult season in life lifting their hands and praising the Lord passionately! Their passion persists in their problems. This can be so edifying to witness.)

• Let's not approach this subject dogmatically. We can bear with one another, be patient with one another, and allow for different opinions on this subject. This is a gray area. Let's allow for disagreement among well-meaning Christians.

• Let's be careful and extremely tentative to call certain churches, bands, and ministries heretics. Even if we have concerns about a particular ministry or even significant disagreements, that does not automatically mean that we are on God's side and they are not. My opinions or your opinions could be wrong! Even if we're not wrong, it's not a primary issue. We should also use the terms "heretic" and "false teacher" carefully since they imply that the person teaching is not a believer.

• Let's remember that we're all sinners. Is anyone really qualified to write a worship song for Jesus? If sinless perfection is required, then only God can write a song for himself.

• Let's keep in mind that a song might be biblical and edifying even if it's produced by a questionable source. (Some of the most biblical, edifying, and helpful worship songs that I have sang have been written by groups with which I have various doctrinal disagreements!)

• Let's make sure our worship songs are biblical. It matters what we sing. Do we really want to sing false ideas to praise the God of truth?

• Let's use wisdom.

• Let's make sure our worship songs are focused upon God (not ourselves).

• On the other hand, let's keep in mind that it's also okay to play it safe and refrain from singing worship songs from questionable sources.

A few helpful resources from different perspectives:

• Andrew Wilson's article titled, "On Babies and Bethelwater."

• Scott Aniol's article titled, "Stop Singing Hillsong, Bethel, Jesus Culture, and Elevation."

• Todd Wagner's article titled, "Should We Use Bethel Songs in Worship? 4 Diagnostic Questions."

• This article from GotQuestions titled, "Can a Christian worship God using music from a church with unbiblical teachings?"