by Pastor Ken
Usually, in a Christian church, a designated person is responsible for selecting suitable songs for worship. Songs are chosen to match the theme of the service not only to praise God but also to encourage congregants to practice their faith. Whether the person in charge is a pastor or a layman, one must consider whether a song is sacred or secular. Secular songs, or popular (pop) songs, are not necessarily bad in content, just not suitable for use in worship.
For example, there is a pop song called “Hallelujah” (Hallelujah means to praise God), written by Leonard Cohen. It has a beautiful melody that is easy to remember. The word Hallelujah is repeated numerous times throughout the song. Some of the lyrics make references to the stories of David and Samson in the Bible. However, the theme is about broken love between people and the dark side of humanity. It isn’t suitable for Sunday worship.
Music (without lyrics) is usually neutral, with no distinction between sacred and secular, unless indicated otherwise by the composer. The lyrics are more specific. Words carry certain meanings to the audience who reads them. When lyrics are combined with music, the integrated piece, such as national anthems or folk songs, will affect the listeners’ emotions. Therefore, when we listen to pop songs so frequently that we can hum the tunes or sing the lyrics, our thinking or values may subconsciously line up with them.
By definition, sacred music is God-centered. Whether it is praise, confession, thanksgiving, or prayer, beautiful hymns can help the congregation express their thoughts toward God. However, Christians share the common inner struggles of humanity and encounter the same emotions as non-Christians. Pop songs seem to capture many of the complex encounters and experiences in the world. Being able to touch a broad audience and reflect the cultural trends of the time is exactly why the songs are popular. The more popular a song is, the more it shares the listeners’ longings.
Christians live in the current culture. We should strive to live a life that is in but not of the world. While we hold our biblical values, we experience struggles and encounter the same challenges in life, just like anybody else. Sometimes when the lyrics touch our hearts, it makes us feel understood and affirmed. Knowing that other people share our experiences and feelings is helpful for our mental health.
Music is an art and an expression of human emotion. Songwriters are certainly influenced by the culture, but songs can also impact the culture. It’s a two-way street. As long as Christians stick to their beliefs and choose wisely, it is no problem listening to pop songs and appreciating them as art.
