Sing your theology:
1. What does “sing your theology” look like laid out on the table?
2. How can we sing theology if we don’t know which theology to sing?
3. Do Nazarene/ Wesleyan pastors even preach correct theology from the pulpit; do we even practice/ teach our theology?
4. What defines acceptable theology for today’s worship songs; is hymns of the past reconcilable in today’s congregation?
5. What is the response coming from the teenagers today in regards to hymns?
6. Are the Nazarene and Wesley churches listening to the teenagers or dictating apologetics and dogma which we pedal as accurate theology; if so which theology is accurate theology?
7. What does the theology look like in Charles Wesley hymns; does it match today’s Nazarene theology?
8. Like the commentaries of the 16th century are the hymns of the 17th and 18th centuries outmoded in thought and revelation seeing as more recent theologians has revealed clearer understanding of the bible, e.g. mid 18th century “penal substitution”. What is the ramification if any in the light of modernism and post-modernism?
9. Is there room to alter music style adapting “sound theology and modern sounds”?
10. How far do you take “sing your theology” before it becomes rigid or unplayable; worse what if the “sing your theology” becomes so important that you throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water?
11. Is “blended services” merely watering down theology, or is it a “watering shed” for theology?
12. Should there be allowance for “old ye English” in today’s services or is modern translation agreeable?
13. How then do we package theology in today’s musical, cultural, generational gap that is so evidently present in today’s churches?
14. Who arbitrates what Nazarene/ Wesleyan theology is most to least important when deliberating which song is theologically acceptable to sing?
15. If “sing your theology” is to be exhorted; what then are the guidelines/ recommendations for this and what place if any is there for so called less theological sound hymns and choruses?
What of these questions; I would appreciate some constructive feedback. It is imperitive that I nail down this issue before I graduate....the sooner the better....I seriously want what's best for the Nazarene church but greatly/ equally important is what is needed for the young people in our neighbourhood. Any suggestions?
I'm not sure I understand why 'good theology' and good music need to be mutually exclusive?
ReplyDeleteCan't we have both? Can't there be songs that young people enjoy singing that also have something to say about their faith?
To be completely honest, I think you need to watch some of those questions. Question 3 is especially sensitive, if you ask me.
In question 7 you asked about the relationship of Charles Wesley's hymns to our Nazarene theology. I think we need to remember that songs are just that... songs. They are not theology text books or avenues for religious debate.
Question 9 brings me back to my original question, why do we need to alter the musical style and make it work with the words of hymns?
Why can't we just sing songs that have "correct theology" and good music?
Having said all this, I hope it doesn't sound too critical. There are some good questions that come out of this stuff. I'd be interested to hear some of what other people think as well as your responses Joe.
Maybe just maybe...there needs to be a shake up in the pulpit. Has the pastors fallen asleep at the helm and not fully apprieciate the importance of our next generation let alone a clear...defined theology...unmistaken as being Nazrene/ Wesleyan? If the shoe fits wear it! Or find a better shoe manafacturer.
ReplyDeleteIf question seven is a mute point then why does the DS and other pastors of old so strictly adhear to "sing your theology"?
In a utopian society we would all find balance as Petra sang, "when will the world see that we need Jesus"; but you and I know it is more than that for a pastor...integrety of theology from both behind and around the pulpit. It is no use me asking the questions if I'm only going to be shut down...there is going to have to be a Pauline Hansen styled "PLEASE EXPLAIN"! Then and only then will I be satisfied which songs can be sung and what our theology is suppose to look like.
Your servant in Christ
Joseph Riley.
Part of the problem with asking these questions is that it assumes a lot of negative stuff about current pastoral leadership. We don't have to tear down in order to build a solid contemporary base which will engage the current generation. The trick is to build on what has gone before (and thus not reinventing the wheel) and finding a creative synthesis on current thinking that is both rigorous and grace-filled. Nothing wrong with asking tough quetions - just put it in the context of one searching for answers for new issues.
ReplyDeleteDear Professor,
ReplyDeleteAthough you are right to say attacking the pastorial team is hardly productive nor is it even Biblical, I am a student and this is the best forim to air out my thoughts dirty or clean wrong or right so you and my peers may correct, confirm, console,rebuff, reprove and retort where needed. But on the point of re-inventing the wheel....this is what is needed if we are to invite appeal intice awaken the teens to "come and join us in the sunlight"PETRA. Teh foundation on which to build is Jesus Christ, and the theology that accompanies it...not Charles and John Wesley no matter how powerful they were two hundred years ago; "teenagers don't care how much you know--until they know how much you care"....We need to start from the original foundation and sweep away old catchisims that confuse and thus further alienate our presious teenagers.
No I wont be preaching these "toxic" thoughts from the pulpit Professor instead this is the forum to "preach" this issue from...your support and feedback will continue to be fully appriciated.
Your servant in Crist
Joseph Riley