The apostle Paul finishes his sentence about singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with the phrase: “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (v. 21). When we intergenerationally submit to one another, with reverence for Christ, our personal pride and preference issues fade into the background as we consider others as better than ourselves.
The songs we sing are with us throughout our daily lives away from church. The importance of choosing congregational music that aligns with the theology our churches uphold cannot be overstated.
“…our eyes were drawn to a sign hanging down from a raftor in front of us. Written in big letters were the words, ‘Remember to think about what you are singing!’ That phrase comes out of 1 Cor. 14:15… ‘I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing praise with my mind also.’” - Nick Batzig
“She presents a well-argued case that those leading church music need to think beyond technical excellence and song selection to the spiritual formation of both the music team and congregation. Worship isn’t just something we do; it forms us for good or ill.” - TGC
“We Evangelicals have come to view the word ‘worship’ as referring to something like God-focused music. And music is inherently emotional. So it follows that our understanding of ‘worship’ could then be reduced to the personal expression of a God-centered, emotional experience.” - CLeaders
“God desires music to be sung in an intelligible and a distinct manner, enabled by His Spirit so that both the text and music can be understood for the intended response (1 Corinthians 14:15).” - P&D
“God created music for good purposes. However, because of man’s differing theological presuppositions and approach to biblical interpretation, the applications of appropriate music are varied. Throughout church history, music and its use in worship have been controversial.” - P&D
“This article seeks to address the senior pastors of conservative churches and encourage them to pursue, preserve, and promote a conservative philosophy and practice of Christian music in their local churches.” - P&D
I experienced all kinds of weather playing eight years of high school and college football in Wisconsin—from the burning heat of August to the frigid cold of November. I only remember one snowfall, during a practice in my last season in college. But I remember rain—lots and lots of rain and, especially, lots of mud.
“The medieval church had musical instruments and choirs…. Congregations sat mute as the ‘professionals’ performed. The Reformers rightly restored the singing of the congregation.” - Ref21
