Thanks for the comment. I agree there is a difference between mocking pagan priests and mocking a brother in Christ, but I disagree that satire is appropriate in one setting and inappropriate in the other. The Bible doesn’t really advocate one standard of behavior toward non-Christians and another toward Christians. We’re supposed to treat everyone with love and “love our neighbors as ourselves” be they pagans or fellow parishioners.

The question then becomes: is satire an acceptable form of Christian discourse or is it not? I feel that it is and I believe scripture supports it. Look at the life of Christ. He was a Jew and yet he directed his harshest language at his Jewish “brothers” in positions of spiritual leadership. He never shied away from an opportunity to make the Pharisees look foolish. Why then should we hesitate in ridiculing church leaders when they engage in what we believe to be destructive activities/teachings (i.e. greedy televangelists, watered-down megachurch theology, superficial worship songs, Joel Osteen, etc)?

As to whether satire is the “best way” to effect change. No, it’s probably not “the best way.” But it is a way. The best way would probably be to do what Stuart Townsend, Chris Rice, and others are doing and write challenging, theologically-driven worship songs that present people with a more meaningful alternative. Unfortunately, I don’t play an instrument and I have a terrible singing voice. So I post satirical articles on my website. I don’t think I’m going to spark a revolution in the worship industry, but I do believe I am adding a valuable perspective to the conversation. I’d have a hard time doing this if I didn’t think it was worth something.

-Kent

Thanks for the comment. I agree there is a difference between mocking pagan priests and mocking a brother in Christ, but I disagree that satire is appropriate in one setting and inappropriate in the other. The Bible doesn’t really advocate one standard of behavior toward non-Christians and another toward Christians. We’re supposed to treat everyone with love and “love our neighbors as ourselves” be they pagans or fellow parishioners.

The question then becomes: is satire an acceptable form of Christian discourse or is it not? I feel that it is and I believe scripture supports it. Look at the life of Christ. He was a Jew and yet he directed his harshest language at his Jewish “brothers” in positions of spiritual leadership. He never shied away from an opportunity to make the Pharisees look foolish. Why then should we hesitate in ridiculing church leaders when they engage in what we believe to be destructive activities/teachings (i.e. greedy televangelists, watered-down megachurch theology, superficial worship songs, Joel Osteen, etc)?

As to whether satire is the “best way” to effect change. No, it’s probably not “the best way.” But it is a way. The best way would probably be to do what Stuart Townsend, Chris Rice, and others are doing and write challenging, theologically-driven worship songs that present people with a more meaningful alternative. Unfortunately, I don’t play an instrument and I have a terrible singing voice. So I post satirical articles on my website. I don’t think I’m going to spark a revolution in the worship industry, but I do believe I am adding a valuable perspective to the conversation. I’d have a hard time doing this if I didn’t think it was worth something.

-Kent

Not to the extent that one can with worship music. Take, for example, Mraz, Mayer, and Jack Johnson. Similar genre, but their interpretations of that genre differ greatly in chord voicings, rhythms, and song formats. They also use many more concrete nouns and verbs than do the vast majority of praise songs.

I would say the next most cliche style to worship music is country music… and even it does better at stepping outside the box.

I blame it on the oversimplification of people’s comprehension of the spiritual world. That and an unwillingness to learn how to craft songs better.

Not to the extent that one can with worship music. Take, for example, Mraz, Mayer, and Jack Johnson. Similar genre, but their interpretations of that genre differ greatly in chord voicings, rhythms, and song formats. They also use many more concrete nouns and verbs than do the vast majority of praise songs.

I would say the next most cliche style to worship music is country music… and even it does better at stepping outside the box.

I blame it on the oversimplification of people’s comprehension of the spiritual world. That and an unwillingness to learn how to craft songs better.

That being said, I can’t listen to Christian radio, I also find the songs repetitive and childish. I don’t understand how singing that “I am a friend of God, He calls me friend” is expressing reverence or adoration for anything…

That being said, I can’t listen to Christian radio, I also find the songs repetitive and childish. I don’t understand how singing that “I am a friend of God, He calls me friend” is expressing reverence or adoration for anything…