This post is a follow up to the one I published last week wherein Alistair Begg criticized a worship leader for his doctrinally deficient words and music (see, categories, Christian Walk, Emotions in the Worship Experience Ought to Derive from Doctrine).
The four artists below write lyrics that incorporate scripture in the message they intend their songs to convey. It seems to me that the great difference between music such as these artists write and much of contemporary Christian music is that the latter contains man’s opinions, not God’s doctrine. Man’s opinions can be spot on, yet they are vain in comparison to God’s doctrine! And it is God’s doctrine and His words in general that impact the heart. Therefore, it is a great mistake for any worship leader to use music that does not contain God’s doctrine.
I became acquainted with all of these artists via listening to Family Radio. It seems as though the music department at Family Radio chooses music with doctrinal lyrics to enable listeners to remember God and His word during their work weeks.
The following two examples are songs by Sally Atari: What is Man, based on Psalm 8, 19, and 24; and Mary and Martha, based on Luke 10 and John 11:
For more information about Sally, see Sallyatari.com There, you can purchase music and read her testimony…. Amazon also sells her music.
The next artist is Steve Amerson, singing He Must Be Love; and The Father’s Heart.
In Amerson’s first song, one can hear ideas from Psalm 8; attributes of God from the entire Bible; concepts from John 3:16 and the resurrection; in his second song, Amerson sings about biblical concepts such as being conformed to the image of Christ; self-denial; servanthood, and trusting and obeying.
You may learn more about him or purchase music at Steveamerson.com Amazon also sells his music.
The next artist is Michael Joncas. His song On Eagles Wings is a beautiful song that I could not find on YouTube, but I am posting a song or two from that album. He is a Catholic and some of his music is about things peculiar to the Catholic church, but most of his music is general Christian music with a lot of scripture in it. I love his voice and the background musicians in most of his songs.
The first song, Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?, is about John 6:68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”
Michael’s second song, The Lord is Near, uses words from Psalm 27 and from Exodus 34; very wonderful passages about the Lord’s goodness and benefits to His children:
The last artist, Marty Goetz, is very dear to my heart because his music is so rich in scripture. He and his wife are Messianic Jews (their short testimonies are at the end of this post).
His first song, Prince of Peace, speaks about his conversion, but in the process, he uses scripture from Isaiah 7, 9, and Matthew 1; and his second song, Teach Us To Number Our Days, is from Psalm 90. His daughter, Misha, accompanied; she was 6-7 years old then:
I want to include one additional and more recent song by Marty and Misha, the Aaronic Benediction from Numbers 6: 24-27:
The following 9 minute video is of Marty’s testimony:
The following 6 minute video is Jennifer Goetz’s testimony:
The above music is a minute sample of the scripturally rich music aired at Family Radio. Their music supports the fine preaching they now air: Barnhouse; Begg; Boice; MacArthur; Sproul…in addition to daily Bible reading; and devotionals read by DJs. I don’t think a there is another Christian radio station that is even half as edifying to the born-again believer.
I hope you enjoyed the music and will check out Family Radio.