Dear Friend,

Recently, evangelical worship police - overzealous polemicists and apologists - have issued bans on songs published by select Charismatic groups, mostly Bethel church and Hillsong.

Consequently, the rising chorus in many Evangelical churches is, "We will no longer use these songs in our worship." Their reason?

It is alleged that Bethel and Hillsong have some questionable practices that are clearly unbiblical, and the growing fear is that when evangelicals sing their songs, their young people are being drawn into the heretical practices and doctrines of these Charismatic groups. If these Charismatic churches are indeed practicing and teaching what these Evangelical worship police allege, I heartily agree, serious correction is needed. This is an appropriate concern.

But the current response is inappropriate. Wouldn't it be better, more accurate, and more Christlike, to simply say, we like these groups' songs but not some of their doctrines and practices? Then specific scriptural reasons for these objections should be cited, so Evangelicals won't be tempted to mimic them - and may even pray for them! That's church correction. That's not divisive. It's love. It's objective, helpful, and not excessive. It's Christ's way (see Revelation 2-3). But to say we can't sing certain songs because of the theologies or methodologies of various groups is overreaching.

If we extended this logic, we would have to ban many songs in our hymnals and songbooks. For instance, because I object to the United Methodist's errant salvation doctrine or recent compromises on key moral issues, I can no longer sing Charles Wesley's "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Or, because I object to Martin Luther's occasional rude language, anti-Semitic writings, and adherence to child baptism, I will no longer sing "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

Or, because of the Roman Catholic Church's legion of errors, strange practices (relics, shrines), and blasphemies (veneration of Mary, saints, the Pope), I will no longer worship God with Bernard of Clairvaux's "Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee."

Or, to be even-handed, because many Baptist churches reject the undeniably biblical, Christ-authorized, Paul-endorsed, and early-churched-practiced Baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit, I will not sing any more hymns from the Baptist hymnal. And we could go on endlessly with this blind obstinacy.

This song controversy hit home with me because, when I became aware of it, I had just taught our fellowship a new song, "The Goodness of God," by, you guessed it, Bethel Church. The song is wonderful, worshipful, scriptural, deeply meaningful, and a pure joy to sing. I sense the witness of the Holy Spirit every time we sing it. Why? I believe this is because it's a pure joy to the One to whom we sing it, who also inspired its composer and lyricist. What was I to do?

Was I to obey the Evangelical worship police and quench this blessing, explaining to our people, "Sorry, but we can't sing this song any more because the church group associated with it has strayed into some odd, unbiblical behavior"? Not at all! Why? The song was not at fault. It caused neither error nor foolish behavior.

All the great songs cited above came from God's heart through songwriters' hearts to bless our hearts and Christ's heart. And God knows, our hearts need, and Christ's heart deserves, all the blessing there is! The songwriter was not the source of the blessing, he or she was just the channel through which it passed. Let's look deeper.

The inspirational "motif" of a song, and also its lyrics, are a miracle given by the Holy Spirit at a specific point in time to a gifted songwriter, who then inscribes the blessing for posterity. Such inspiration is not an ironclad validation of the songwriter's theology or practices. It doesn't prove they are perfectly orthodox or flawlessly holy. It's given to them to bless God's people! If the songwriter, or church group with whom he (or she) is associated, subsequently turns aside to sin or unbiblical theologies or practices, that is sad and something loving leaders need to address by prayer and counsel. But the song given by God remains our possession, our inspired legacy, for praise and worship. And let no overzealous worship police deny us our Spirit-given heritage! Let's go further.

What is the lesson God has for us in this situation? What makes a good praise or worship song?

Its inspiration springs from God's Spirit, as stated. It should be biblically sound, true to the faithful Christian life, and spur love and devotion for Christ. It should lift up Christ, His cross, His blood, His way. It should, above all, please Him ... and merit the witness of His Holy Spirit. It should not glorify worldly values, or men, but kingdom values. And, yes, it should be good music, having a memorable melody and chorus people can easily catch on to and sing - in church worship, at home, or wherever they go. If a song meets these or similar criteria, we should feel not only free but delighted to sing it. And let other Christian groups be free to choose what songs they feel led to sing!

Jesus' only guidelines for worship were that it be offered "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). Dare we play the Pharisee and take it upon ourselves to put more restrictions on Christ's beloved people than He has? But more is needed.

We should also kindly but accurately probe these Evangelical worship police. Are their motives right? Is there some spiritual pride or religious competition at work here? Is correction their real aim, or condemnation? Are they zealous for God and His sheep, or perhaps jealous that more and more people are being drawn to churches embracing the Baptism and gifts of the Spirit? (They acknowledge that, worldwide, Charismatic churches are growing far more dynamically than any other.)

This counterinvestigation is not petty self-defense or childish tit for tat. "You've misjudged me, so I'll misjudge you!" Far from it, it is a soundly biblical response. Scripture bids us examine these self-appointed Evangelical worship judges as closely as they are examining others and their songs. Didn't Jesus say, "With the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38, NKJV)? Or, "The standards you use for others will be applied to you" (GW)?

Truly, we need to know if their vociferous objections (they are not shy in their condemnations) are brotherly love or brotherly loathing? Friendly advice or friendly fire? As long as Christians shoot at other Christians with compassionless criticism, the enemy doesn't even have to attack us. We're doing it for him.

In summation, if one or another Christian group has theological or methodological issues with another, let those differences be addressed by each group's respective church leaders and biblical scholars, but please don't say we can't sing inspired God-songs that bless us, and Christ, whatever their church affiliation.

For liberty in worship,

Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries