"Jesus or My Girlfriend?"

One of the blogs I read, FIDE-O, has had a series of posts called "Jesus or My Girlfriend?" (NOTE: The authors on FIDE-O can be a bit extreme, and some of their theology I do not agree with, but I do like most of what they have to say). In these particular posts Scott Hill is taking on many of the popular worship songs Christians sing and he’s asking the question, “What kind of theology is this?” The point he makes is that many of the songs we have accepted as “powerful” and "meaningful" worship songs actually have fluffy, lacking, and somewhat effeminate theology when you really stop to consider it. He calls these songs “Jesus is my girlfriend” songs and comments that it’s no wonder two-thirds of the men in this country refuse to come to church or sing in worship. Because many of the songs we sing to Jesus probably makes most masculine men feel a little creepy. Additionally, there is little biblical foundation for most of the lyrics.

What he does is post the lyrics of a particular song, and as you read it you are compelled to ask the question, "Could this song be sung to someone's girlfriend?" If so, then good chances are it's a theologically weak song.

I admit, his post stepped on my toes a little. But I appreciate it. And I need the challenge. We should be more discerning in what we sing.

Comments

[eric]

Let me start by saying I think we need good theology in our worship music. I do think there are bad theological choices to be made (not just contemporary but hymns as well).

My problem with this argument against worship songs (which is usually a cloaked bias against contemporary forms of worship) is its lack of understanding of the real issue.

The real question is not "Is the Church wrong for using intimate language about its savior?" The real question is "Why does the world use language to talk about the opposite sex that should be reserved for the God of the universe?"

We throw words and phrases around like they were nothing: "You mean everything to me" "Always and forever" "I love you like no other" and we say them to our wives and girlfriends. How about our ultimate language of love and intimacy being directed toward God?

Why aren't they lambasting the world for using language that should be reserved for God alone? The language of most secular love songs are little more than idolatrous commitments to the opposite sex.

I often wonder, though, if these people have ever read the intimacy of Song of Solomon. Throughout the centuries it has been viewed as a metaphor for God's love and relationship with His people.

Just my thoughts...

[Josh Lynch]

From the Barna Group, "40% of men nationwide compared with 50% of women have attended a church service, not including a special event such as a wedding or a funeral, in the past seven days." (2005)

I can think of a couple handfulls of people who don't go to church for this very reason. Too emotional, too fluffy, and not God-centered enough. FIDE-O has a point!!!

I can think of a couple handfulls of people who go to church and don't take worship seriously, and probably wouldn't mind skipping it and coming in for the message only.

I do agree our vocabulary and lines are skewed on what intimacy really is and who it should be reserved for and when...BUT, the problem is, that argument is not going to gain traction; dealing with the problem at hand will.

Not to be sexist by any stretch of the imagination, but if more men are attending church, then the more spiritually solid families will be, and therefore the more spiritually strong the local church will be.