Analyzing Your Favorite Worship Songs for Biblical and Theological Accuracy | LIVESTREAM

[@gabrielmartinez1036]

Hello my brothers and sisters. I want to give you great news that my friend Kim accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior today. She is our sister now. Let's pray she can find a good fellowship and she can be teached properly. Also that the Lord can keep using me as a tool to preach the gospel. God bless you all

[@ishaagni7199]

Glory to God! God bless you and ur friend Kim🥰

[@Joemil271]

Praise God

[@theChristfollower2]

Awesome praise God!

[@mollysmiles3213]

Amen Praise the Lord!!! Praying for her!!!

[@mr6378]

So great to hear that in heaven there's joy for a new follower of Christ

[@PaulandMorgan]

“You can’t go wrong when you’re quoting scripture in a song” 🔥🔥Thanks for the vid, Allen. You were actually more gracious than I expected haha

[@thebeatagp]

I always strive to be gracious, BALANCED and Biblical!

[@PaulandMorgan]

@@thebeatagp ❤️

[@jeffdelgadillo4439]

Exactly!

[@bonniedrake8382]

Exactly

[@jasperhorne]

You have to be careful because humans are quick to take scripture out of context, we must always remember that worship is unto God and not man. The Blessing is an example of a worship song that is scriptural, but isn't sung unto God. And as a result, thousands of believers lift their hands to God and say to Him "The Lord bless you, and keep you. Make His face shine upon you" Makes no sense to me.

[@Foreknown_]

A few thoughts that perhaps can be addressed in the future. 1. Difference between worship vs testimony. 2. A song can be orthodox but cause a listener to seek out the theology of the group producing it, whether good or bad. 3. Certain words can mean different things to different theological streams. Thus the intended meaning behind certain words may not be what you think. 4. Some songs have overly repetitive lyrics not in a "holy, holy, holy" manner rather they disconnect the mind and can go on +10 minutes 5. Certain songs are more doctrinally rich than others. Many popular songs are theologically shallow (yet still orthodox). 6. Some songs get a little weird and sort of sound like the kind of love directed to a spouse. 7. Some lyrics reflect a heavy seeking of experience, miracles, or "moving mountains", "slaying giants". Not as many will sing about sanctification, obedience, etc. 8. Many songs are sung with lights off, smoke, etc driving more of an artificial emotional response.

[@nahwhitfield2016]

Please listen to this beautiful song by Le Andria Johnson kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3OofqaDr62hmck

[@jrios109]

Yess!! This is good!! Awesome suggestion brother! That’s very similar to what I was about to say.

[@robertreynolds7123]

I approve this message!!!

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

I love your list but you left the biggest, most crucial principle off your list: LANGUAGE. Ppl don't know enough about language and creative use of it - to be able to make wise discernments themselves on how to select what they listen to or not. Allen can teach ppl about these things via biblical ties to it but even he misses some points due to his lack of full knowledge on a word. If we know a general idea but not enough about the full use & literacy devices and subtext of a word (metaphors/idioms, etc) we can really misinterpret something that could have been a blessing to us but we tossed it out b/c of our fear and ignorance (tossing out the baby w/the bathwater). The one word he misunderstood on this last song he analyzed was 'evolution'. As smart as he is, that surprised me. This word is not ONLY reserved for Darwinism which Christians should not support, of course.. It's also used to define ANYTHING that is relevant to improvement, growth, leveling up, etc.....it's all about CONTEXT. What happened was the globalists hijacked our language from way back - even in the 1800's (one ex of this is the Fabian Society). The powers-that-be take a word that is very neutral and innocuous and hijack it to sabotage the meaning to manipulate us. This is the same reason so many ppl let themselves be enslaved to mask 'mandates' and such b/c most ppl in this country - even now - after Covid - don't know what a mandate is. It's NOT a law! It's an 'order' abused by tyrants who don't follow constitutional law. Ppl don't know what the constitution says either and even many attorneys are not educated on this! So we have a lot of indoctrinated folks walking around in shallow understandings of words b/c they fall for the sound byte or the media blurb or the trendy over-used 'buzz word'. Pastors fall for these things all the time too (often w/out realizing it) & this can skew their biblical knowledge in some areas. We have a lot of illiteracy going on in this area and we need to expand our education on this. Ppl are so conditioned to be lazy though so hopefully we are coming out of this more since the ignorant lies so many fell for w/ Covid.

[@5552515]

Shout 5 from the rooftops please!

[@LeslieFlemons]

​Allen please make this a series! There's so many worships songs you can review!

[@nahwhitfield2016]

Please listen to this beautiful song by Le Andria Johnson kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3OofqaDr62hmck

[@jasmined634]

I agree

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

I love your suggestion! I love how Allen breaks it all down and a biblical perspective is needed w/ music like this. I too have been developing something similar for a long time now and it's about to pop....If someone who knows a lot about language, film, music and literature/ poetry were to be teaching an online course on this and helping ppl to understand the duality in language and the truth about how propaganda/ media, manipulative marketing, globalism and corporatism have tainted and sabotaged our understanding of language, would you be interested in a class or series like that? (I ask b/c I am working w/ some folks where we're about to release something that can even help pastors b/c many pastors could teach the bible better than they do if they were to open up to how to understand and apply language better. So many pastors are great but then level off and get weak in misunderstanding words b/c they fear certain words (like 'evoluton' for ex.) - words that globalism crushed or turned upside-down. As a result, we regard too often the language that we hear from mainstream media or lazy-sound byte culture in a wrong way instead of researching and applying the full use of the multiple meanings certain words have b/c most ppl blindly toss around words w/out really knowing what they fully mean. This leads to much frustration and communication breakdowns and that can be perilous in many situations). As part of what I do for a living, I study language as a communication coach/ writer/ editor and I also write poetry, songs, ad copy, screenplays for indie short films/ music vids I have done in past. I have worked w/ local bands off and on my whole life, etc, and I pour over language and its many literary devices, subtext, etc, every day as part of what I do for a living. If you're interested in this, let me know and I can add you to an e-m list if you'd like to exchange e-m's so when this project flies, you will be in the loop. I see a great need for this so why I am going to be doing a podcast and video platform on this too very soon this year. I am glad to see so many ppl interested in learning more about the nature of this topic. It's about time we start to return to English class - we need it more than we think as a society in general! :)

[@angelbianchi4786]

Yes! Make it a new series! What a blessing that would be!

[@Addicted2Muzic94]

Agreed!

[@samanthamora09]

With reckless love, in Spanish they use the word “love without condition” and in Portuguese they use “bold love”. I love these. I like the swap “endless” in English. Good idea!

[@alfromtx245]

If it had 2 syllables, I might also like "relentless."

[@entlove1]

Please make this a series! It was great! Thank you brother God bless!! 🙌

[@nahwhitfield2016]

Please listen to this beautiful song by Le Andria Johnson kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3OofqaDr62hmck

[@tophillsongworship4228]

I suffered from a depressive episode yesterday to the point where I thought about suicide for a moment. My mom sent me this song this morning. Though I may forget sometimes, God is always there for me. Now I just have to remember to pray and remind myself of all the blessings in my life

[@TVHouseHistorian]

I’m SO glad you’re addressing this. We need to do more analysis of what we are singing in church, because a lot of Christian worship songs today are not sound Biblically, and there are many churchgoers who don’t care to do such analysis, much to their peril.

[@tyeishaleisure]

There’s a entire website that I use that is soully dedicated to doing just that. It’s called the berean test. Highly recommend it. Vince the man that start at this website in 2018. He has reviews tons of popular worship songs. He even has his own scoring system. He’s very open to discussion and has changed scores based on conversations he’s had with people. He also tells you whether or not he recommends a particular song for church. He does a pole every week to see what songs people want him to review, and if a song you want him to review isn’t there, there’s a place where you can recommend songs for him to review.

[@TVHouseHistorian]

@@tyeishaleisure I checked out that Berean website you suggested. Thank you! It’s mostly good, although I feel like Vince offers more personal opinion than objective facts. There were several songs he critiqued that I feel could use more scrutiny. Also, ministries like Hillsong and Elevation are not solid in their doctrine or theology at all, and any music that comes from them seems too “me-focused” to be acceptable for Sunday morning worship. Much of what he gave a “pass” to seemed to use very ambiguous language, which does not edify those who are confused in their doctrine. I know it sounds too harsh to say, but I feel like he’s way too nice to these composers. Just my thoughts.

[@tyeishaleisure]

@@TVHouseHistorian gotcha.

[@ivorenewheeler]

I have a perspective on "When I lock eyes with You, I see my reflection" - At the time of salvation (and often during lives), when we look at Jesus (His perfection, His teaching, His death for our sin, maybe?), and know that He's looking at us, we are convicted of our sin, we become aware that we fall short of the glory of God - THAT'S the reflection we see. When we examine our lives as Christians, He convicts us of areas that still need to be surrendered to Him. This goes hand-in-hand with the later words of this song with the invitation for God to search our hearts. I love your channel, Allen. Thank you for sharing your insights.

[@JonValdezX]

That hype at "So Will I" is contagious! Do more like this, Brother Parr!

[@kennysfdg471]

I loved that too!!!

[@robertreynolds7123]

So my major take away from this is: Find the theology that the singers follow as well as the church they attend. Some of those songs may be OK in and of themselves but when you find out the “god” they are worshiping isn’t the God of the Bible it becomes an issue. MUCH of the theology behind Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation, and several others is heretical and that seeps through to the music. Does anyone have PERFECT theology, ABSOLUTELY NOT but there is a difference when it’s flat out not a Gospel based theology.

[@TruthfromBibleMinistry]

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Philippians 1:15‭-‬18 KJV

[@jillandpeterwyper7884]

I agree Robert, when they were talking about revival etc that usually translates to their kundulini whackadoodle stuff at Bethel and not necessarily a scriptural meaning of revival. I liked yr comment of all that I read!! Thanks

[@TruthfromBibleMinistry]

@@jillandpeterwyper7884 I can tell you watch Spencer Smith lol

[@robertreynolds7123]

@@TruthfromBibleMinistry I agree. I am glad when they preach THE REAL CHRIST. And there are moments when God may be glorified from words they say, but from my observations, as few they may be, most of their comments are blasphemous. My point was “better to listen to someone who’s extremely solid, than someone who just has a statement here and there that’s biblical” like I said, nobody has perfect theology but there are DEFINITELY some better than others

[@TruthfromBibleMinistry]

@@robertreynolds7123 agreed

[@donhoward6044]

Love Egypt and Reckless. Had the blessing of Cory Asbury being our worship leader for a while before he moved to TN.

[@abigailmartin1]

This should be a series! Really enjoyed this!

[@songsgardensbyjenniferlynn3242]

Kid worship songs from Orange curriculum or other popular “worship” songs used for children’s ministry. I’m totally okay with fun Bible songs and other purposeful songs that are not necessarily worship songs. I’m just not okay with the me-focused “worship” songs that are flooding churches. If we call it a “worship” song, it should be pointing to Who we worship. ❤️

[@LifeWithJuan]

"So Will I" really makes me cry. Especially that last verse.

[@NewCreationInChrist896]

Praise Father God and His beloved Son our King daily. 🙌

[@justinmichael3147]

Hello fellow children of Christ and Pastor Parr, I am a very private person but that has never stopped me from walking in Faith, or having the very amazing relationship I've had with Jesus for the past 37 years.. I stumbled across your vids on KZbin one day and have never stopped tuning in, you make the Lord's message very clear and then some, because of your channel I have been able to equip myself with a whole new arsenal so that while I am on this earth through Jesus Christ I can live my best life , and to give to others the best I am receiving and always have, keep up the great work!

[@jerrygerber7]

Allen, appreciate you and your work! Regarding the 8.5 or 9.0 for "reckless", I think you explained why but my problem is I just can't sing that God's love is reckless because i can't reconcile it to my understanding of scripture. Reminds me of the analogy-- how much oily gunk do we need to pour into a glass of water before you don't drink it. And what about the effects of a whole generation being encouraged, in the Church, to live a reckless life -- believing it to be a Godly characteristic. I may be getting old and less flexible but why not the position of.... either change the lyrics to at least be reasonably consistent with the Bible or NOT singing the songs? I served on worship teams for decades and have seen cases where a song was pulled after one service, by the lead pastor's direction. But some of today's worship songs appear to be more.... could it be ... lyrically reckless?

[@phyllisbakercoffman8988]

I agree!

[@charmcharm2352]

He did suggest to maybe change the word to "endless"

[@sarahk1977]

Agree 100% with you!

[@ezel7716]

yes! when we sing it during chapel at school, we replace it with relentless

[@jasperhorne]

@@charmcharm2352 or "zealous"!

[@Eka5304]

Thanks Allen, you’re really a gift to the body of Christ. God bless you.

[@ChristianQuotes1]

Worship should be God centered, it's all about God, his glory and goodness. When you stay within the word you won't go wrong. Thanks for sharing.

[@meaganlingenhoel3836]

I love this and appreciate this! Such a great way to encourage thinking and discussion around our music in church! Please do more!

[@eldotjay]

*This was great! Breaking down each song lyric by lyric. Balanced approach. Not throwing out entire songs as heretical or theologically incongruent because of a line or a word. Suggesting maybe to change a lyric or sentence to make it more biblically sound. Great work Allen!*

[@nahwhitfield2016]

Please listen to this beautiful song by Le Andria Johnson kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3OofqaDr62hmck

[@Eka5304]

Couldn’t have said it better 🙏🏾

[@dannybrymer6630]

It seems like a song like "Too Good To Not Believe" should be a song of personal testimony, something autobiographical rather than of corporate worship. Those things very well could have happened or may be symbolic with some of the raised to life type stuff, but not everyone has seen cancer disappear or someone get arches on their feet, so this is something that could add confusion to the person in the congregation trying to engage into worship. I believe we can sing songs about God healing, but this one seems to rely too heavily on the experience of the songwriter rather than the revelation of Scripture.

[@justvalsims]

💯

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

I see your point but in a case like this, just leave this song out of the congregation or Sunday service and let ppl listen to it privately in their own homes but it's not a song to be tossed out totally. Some ppl are just too black vs white on this topic of music and have no balance at all when examining the full nuances of it all. But ppl complain either way you go - many say that most of these songs are written too vague or not vague enough. There should be a playlist for the churches and one for the individual fan who wants to listen in car or at home. There is a specificity there that needs to be addressed and I think you made a great point here.

[@j.paulm.1575]

I had actually never known that was an Elevation song.

[@judyabbott25]

Yes sir, your video about the songs were amazing! But I would like to let you know that I felt the same excitement that you have while analyzing the last song, "SO WILL I." I already keep on hearing the song, but I never really sat down and LISTENED to it with its lyrics in front of me. I am a worship leader in our church and I realy am very careful in choosing songs. It was kind of an amazing moment, because I was in a "spiritual low" at that time and it's as if God poked my heart and told me listen to that song. And as I did, I was just crying at the utter GREATNESS of God and how little I am compared to Him but He CHOSE to die "...on a hill He created..." just for me, and not only give His life but erase all the failures I did with His spoken Word. I just broke down, literally. And when as I was listening to you, again, I cried because I was reminded again at how awesome and incomparable our God is... 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@alwaysputgodfirst5956]

I love hillsongs old songs from 1990s to 2005, if only Darlene Szchech still singing with the kind of worship songs before 🥰

[@candidacox998]

So will I brings tears and goosebumps.... Great song

[@woodymagee9807]

Phenomenal teacher brother Parr...bless you... we the body of Christ need sound biblical teaching centered around Jesus Christ our Savior!

[@praiseworshipsongs5821]

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged- Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge- Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear; May we ever, Lord, be bringing All to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright, unclouded, There will be no need for prayer- Rapture, praise, and endless worship Will be our sweet portion there.

[@lukaskaseta1016]

Thank you so much! Your videos always encourage me! They always bring me back to the firm foundation of God.

[@SpiritLedLisa]

Bro. Allen this was deep and so edifying, thank you. "So Will I" always moves my soul, and hearing you review it sent me weeping again... thank you for this video.

[@SCbluegrass]

Allen you nailed it with Fresh Wind and songs that ask for the Holy Spirt to "do more" when you have the Spirit indwelling if you are a true born again believer! We should pray for the Spirit to help us yield to Him more and more every day !

[@brandonjames6266]

For me reckless love I do like but this is how I perceive reckless love would be something like running onto a free way to save a animal or person with no thought that is reckless and I don't see God doing something without due plan, but overall that song has brought me closer to God.

[@tiscerano]

Thank you for doing this Brother Allen! It’s such an important thing to be discerning on these things.

[@orianamoussali3344]

Thanks. That last one really got me too How about oceans for the next series? Thank you and your team for your Amazing work, God bless

[@darcylh1223]

I just heard a Hillsong worship song this weekend that really blew my mind, the song spoke about resurrection... but not Christ's resurrection. It was about how we were going to be resurrected. No mention of Christ's resurrection in the song. Just stuck out to me.

[@SavedByGrace-oe1ts]

What song?

[@Jp44jp44jp44]

Can get just get whole videos of Bro. Allen reading rap lyrics🤣🤣🤣 Undefeated has been a favorite of mine since it came out. It's so funny to hear the lyrics read like that😂 Appreciate you fam! Great video!

[@isakoolsson]

I have or people I know personally has also experienced the miracles told in Too Good To Not Believe. One of my pastors were in India and a woman came in with a child that had been dead for several hours and that child came out breathing. In a meeting here in Sweden a man came in with a metal plate in his knee because of a surgery, but he couldn't walk normally. The metal plate was just gone after the prayer and he could walk normally. Another meeting I was at a woman that had cut her arms got completely healed from the scars, both mentally and physically. I prayed for a young girl in Iceland that walked in with crutches and she could walk out without them. These things happen for real, we just aren't bold enough to pray for it most of the time.

[@daltonfarmer7871]

One thing that I think of when it comes to the word "evolve" is that there is a difference between evolving to adapt to your environment and Darwinism. I believe we were created (human and beast) to be adaptable to our environment so that we can survive changes to it, but we still stay as the same species, or more specifically, we stay as the same kind. A good example is the peppered moth.

[@IsaiahEli]

God is merciful. He always forgives. Never be ashamed to take your failures to him. He is for you, not against you! God is with you in the storm. He knows your troubles, he hears you! He is for you, on your side, always! It may feel silent at times, but he’s holding you close! May the Lord return soon! We are drawing closer. He is coming! Believe and trust in the Lord, you will be saved. Period. May the Lord bless you all! Hang in there family. Stay strong. It is not easy following the Lord. We are scoffed at. We give up our earthly dreams, our fleshly desires. What the enemy offers is short lived, but heaven is forever! Life may seem or be unfair, but God is with you! Always remember that. Things may get better or worse for you, but a kingdom awaits you! Finish the race! Repent daily and carry your cross. This world is fading fast. Your troubles are temporary! New channel here, I’d appreciate any kind of support. Don’t give up! God loves you so much! So do I. The Lord bless you!

[@elainewagnon6690]

I love So Will I so much too. It brought tears to my eyes again. And thank you so much for not throwing out the baby with the bathwater because of the line about evolving. That song is special!

[@stormyaviation5734]

At the church I go to in the song So Will I they changed the lyrics from “Evolving in pursuit of what you said” to “OBEYING in pursuit of what you said”.

[@freddiecrumb77]

This is a good topic. I’ve been doing some Hillsong material that wasn’t biblical in the past . You actually shines the light on a couple of those

[@babadscookingchat1465]

Thank you Allen. As a Worship Music Ministry lead I appreciate your discernment

[@debbieappoleon1649]

Yay!!!! I'm so happy that you approve of the song "Jireh" Brother Allen!!! I discovered the song about 2 weeks ago and I absolutely love it!!! Been wanting to sing the French version at my church. ❤️

[@aaromotivestudio3869]

One suggestion: Total Praise by Richard Smallwood. That’s a good one

[@midwestladyy]

Someone should make a Spotify playlist of theologically-sound Christian songs. I am reevaluating the songs on my current playlist!

[@CastOut555]

Lol. When you started rapping the songs! We judge because of the genre it's in but the lyrics give all praise and honor to God.

[@GioTummy3463]

These Christian songwriters are skilled at writing lyrics that are always open to interpretation so that they can mean whatever each individual thinks they mean. It's obvious.

[@Bahrainwarrior1]

Saved Sanchez thank you for these valuable observations. Will share them. God Bless 💕

[@blindvision4703]

In the last song reviewed, when our church sang that song, we use the word “moving“ instead of “evolving.“

[@Anteater23]

1. Behold he has come 2. Lord you are so precious to me 3. When I survey the wondrous cross 4. Majestic sweetness 5. King of my life I crown thee now 6. Jesus, we enthrone you

[@nahwhitfield2016]

Please listen to this beautiful song by Le Andria Johnson kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3OofqaDr62hmck

[@kennysfdg471]

Okay, the line "You didn't want heaven without us..." does not by any means declare God as lonely, though could be adjusted. As another one of Hillsing's songwriters said, "God doesn't need us, He wants us," which is what that church believes and totally defeats the idea of a lonely God. I do see how someone can be confused.

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

So much language is open-ended and vague in some ways and that can be part of its genius b/c it makes us think deeper - esp when someone has an expanded vocabulary and is clever in the usage of more sophisticated antonyms and synonyms. Many listeners - including even many pastors - don't study language or know enough about it to embrace its many creative devices as artists are more skilled or talented to do. Most pastors view things like this as secular or too strange so just b/c they are confused, they mislead their congregations too by projecting that fear of the unknown onto the rest of us. Not fair and not right. Allen didn't do that in this vid but sometimes he kind of does or acts like he is going there. That's why I was pleasantly surprised in most of what he said in his analysis. There is some contradictory stuff going on w/ a lot of these online pastors and if they want more views or they're just having a bad time or day in their life, they use that bias against us. We need much more balanced thinking pastors but have too few of them. The blind can't lead the blind.

[@charmcharm2352]

I've always understood that line to mean that the writer was not saying that God was "lonely" or needed us in Heaven but that He (God) didn't want us to miss out on our chance to get there. He didnt want us to miss out on what He has in store for us. Didnt want us to lose our chance to be with Him so he sent a way (Jesus) for us to get there (Heaven). Sometimes its the meaning that is personally applied to the song, and the intention by which its written. I for one will still sing that line because that's what I am personally expressing when I do.

[@jasperhorne]

The problem is that while believers who know scripture might interpret it one way, prebelievers or new Christians will interpret another. Many Christians turn their brain off to engage in worship as brother Allen addressed at the start, and it's the responsibility of the writer of the worship song not to confuse worshippers by being specific with the lyrics and making sure it's in context.

[@kennysfdg471]

@@jasperhorne That's understandable. All I can say is the song means what it means.

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

@@jasperhorne - I agree that writers must take responsibility to some degree for sure - but it's also a two-way street as the listener needs to take some responsibility too. Most ppl do not understand the nature of duality and how to weigh two diff sides against the other and find a balanced reconciliation and this is mainly due to ppl's biases - on both sides, so ppl conflate and confuse objective for subjective and vise versa. And the sad truth is, many pastors are also unschooled in this area. This doesn't always mean they're bad pastors; just means we need to know where to draw the lines betw one position and the other by bringing more nuance into the overly-generalized Monolith. Maybe listen to the song first w/out reacting to it or knee-jerk reacting to it by being so easily triggered by one simple word that can have multiple meanings & applications that too many interpret as just 'one' meaning! Don't sing along or worship to it right away but look up the lyrics and just 'check it out' first before falling in love with it - kind of like dating: you meet someone at a coffee shop and just chat briefly b4 you go on a 'real date' kind of thing. After you have 'tested it' (as we're called to 'test the spirits" as the bible instructs), then you can make a better decision on whether you should sing along w/ it as worship music or not. If they play one of your 'no' songs at church, just sit back and don't participate. But do not begrudge others their blessings either. It's a balance we must strike here. We can't edit the whole world around us just to fit ourselves as we keep learning this same lesson from those who practice the ignorant ideology of Marxism. On this music, Pastor Allen also has articulated in past videos that it's subjective, which means it's largely up to us. The pastor of a church can only give you so much instruction on ANY topic anyway and the rest is up to you and your own conscience to follow or not. God gave us common sense and we are taught to seek from within - not ask the pastor for every little thing. The pastor is not God. God must pick up where the pastor leaves off and most ppl fail to listen to that inner voice of God (their conscience/ intuition) as they'd rather be spoon-fed everything and that is not wise. Bring a man a fish every day and make them lazy or teach them how to fish for themselves.

[@loveval6303]

I enjoyed this critique of worship songs. The last one was excellent. Please do it again 🙏🔥

[@ItsAndy__]

You should do these more often, I definitely enjoyed this. All the songs I listen to are definitely 10/10

[@olabimpesangowawa3262]

Totally agree with you Bro Parr -So will I @ a 100 billion X…Best song ever written in my view across ALL genres. Not just Christian …

[@sandylfgrubb]

I agree that as long as WE are singing to THE JESUS of the Scriptures, these lyrics are good; however a lot of those writing these songs don't believe in THE JESUS of the Scriptures.....they don't believe He was fully God and fully man at the same time....

[@peculiar1104]

I prefer old gospel hymns like' Count your blessings ' 💯

[@elainefm4771]

Great video Alan, thank you for sharing your insight. "When I Lock Eyes With You" - The beginning of this song sounds like a love song to another person, something I've noticed in other songs too. I imagine if a non-Christian were listening to the song, how would they know it's a worship song (or, how would the gospel reach them)? Just something I've been a little bothered by lately.

[@rossibytes]

I agree.. this was one of the songs I asked him to comment on. I personally just have a major issue with the overly romanticized view of God that a lot of songs like this portray. Also, I think it is utterly horrible to say that if/when we looked in the eyes of God or Jesus that what we'd see of all things is OUR reflection!! If we're talking about God here and we're comparing to Scripture, didn't God tell Moses that he had to shield him from his glory? The lyric oozes of "self" focus ... like when we go to Heaven and look Jesus in the eye, I think MYSELF is the last thing I'll be thinking about.

[@rossibytes]

@@Blind-Fools yes however I don’t believe God is our boyfriend or romantic love interest at all.

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

I see your point and all the other points here on this but what about this perspective: What if a non-believer happened upon this song and found out it was a Christian song and then has more curiosity to wanting to become a Christian? Sometimes a mistake can turn into a 'happy accident'....it can work both ways but ppl don't usu stop to consider the duality dynamics. ...we can be a bit too judgmental in some areas and not enough in others b/c we're so unbalanced. Even many pastors are NOT balanced. I'd say most are not. Just b/c they have the title 'pastor' by their name doesn't mean they know it all. Too many ppl treat them as if they're God himself or God's right-hand man. Not healthy. We are not giving ppl enough credit to think freely for themselves. Ppl need to be taught HOW TO THINK - NOT what TO THINK. Too many pastors are teaching their ppl what to think due to their own fear and biases and then project that onto others. When you do this, you don't trust your ppl but what's worse is, you don't trust God. Where you leave off, God picks up and does the rest. Too many pastors are ego-trippers and love the power of standing in a pulpit they view as more of a stage - and on a YT vid platform, they can easily get drunk on that too for obvious reasons. Let's take our own authority in God and let's also take full advantage of the common sense He imbued all of our brains with! :)

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

@@rossibytes - There is a fine line here, that is true. But I think many of these singers are capitalizing on the bible's metaphorical reference to the 'bridegroom'. I think one or two references to this, however, is fine but when a song is toppled w/ them and there is no other clarity on specificity or smarter/ more creative word choices to enhance it better, it can sound wonky.

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

@@rossibytes - I agree w/ you on this and see how this song's lyrics are a bit kooky but maybe they meant it as a reference to the bible verse about how God made us in His image and they just awkwardly threw this together w/out really thinking it through. Sometimes songwriters are pressured into deadlines by record labels that don't match their creative style and this can distract them & hamper a song big time! This happens all the time w/ secular music too and also happens w/ screenwriters in Hollywood and helps explain why so many films today are garbage.

[@musikalora]

Regarding the song "So Will I", the line "Evolving in pursuit of what you said" sure can hint at "theory of evolution" but can also clarify it by saying that God is responsible for every creature to "develop gradually" (w/c is the definition of the word evolve). Tbh, it's a very beautiful song and I kinda wished they have changed that one word to make it flawless.

[@chinweezeilo3643]

Thank you, Allen...I caught the same feeling when you were reviewing ''So Will I''. It is the best worship song of all time. Perfect for me. 10/10.

[@Kharizmah]

The problem with most of these songs is one of 2 things: 1. They cater to a sense of self. The songs are self-centered and not GOD focused. “I am so special that God works for me.” The self worship is so covert it’s scary and is in all the first songs you mentioned. 2. They are adjusted Love songs. They seem like they were written for two lovers originally. 3. The name of JESUS or even GOD is not directly stated just insinuated 4. They want to take on modern stylization that is known as a genre that represents rebellious or raucous behavior.

[@KatTremblay1]

I've been blessed by this video, I really enjoyed it.. Thank you Mr. Parr!

[@sheilajyrkas7511]

Brother Alan I love your channel! I was here with stones ready for you if you said you didn't like So will I 😝. Am glad it's 99.99999 we can just round it up to 10! Be blessed

[@akekestory493]

This was cool I got new songs to put in my Playlist maybe do a live where we look at old hymns I wasn't raised in church and to me hymns have so much power in them

[@theChristfollower2]

I luv hymns what r ur faves Mine r there is a fountain, come ye sinners, nothing but the blood, and this ones not a hymn but He will hold me fast its so good. Also I feel like I should warn u about bethel elevation and hillsong, they preach the prosperity gospel which isn't the real gospel and bethel tries to "transfer anointing" to others and soak it up from pple's graves as well as focus on emotions and miraculous experience rather than the actual gospel.

[@simeonyves5940]

@@theChristfollower2 Rock of Ages Cleft for Me, Amazing Grace, Love Divine all Loves Excelling, Great is thy Faithfulness, What a Friend we have in Jesus, Holy Holy Holy LORD God almighty, Jerusalem, Onward Christian Soldiers, All things bright and beautiful, and, my absolute favourite, How great thou art. All the old Anglican Classics :)

[@theChristfollower2]

@@simeonyves5940 I luv rock of ages and Holy Holy holy too those are also really good

[@simeonyves5940]

@@theChristfollower2 Thank You :) indeed, the Classic Hymns are the Best, as they have truly stood the Test of Time. Do take Care, and God Bless :)

[@theChristfollower2]

@@simeonyves5940 u too

[@b.delacroix7592]

A lot of my favourites are old time hymns like Be Thou My Vision.

[@hiskingdom]

With God all things are possible. All Believers have been resurrected (spiritually), in that, they were dead in their sins before they came to life in Christ.

[@shariceornah]

Can you please do gospel songs next time? There's some really popular ones that have crazy heresy.

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

Pls share some examples of what some of these gospel songs are....and pls be specific as to words in the lyrics you need insight into...some words are universal and applicable in many diff meanings depending upon context and intention. A lof of ppl have a hard time w/ many of these songs b/c they don't understand the deeper and fuller context of language.

[@shariceornah]

Speak by Myron Butler is a big one

[@DJay45213]

100000% agree!

[@theoverunder4576]

Be elitist toward ideas, but tolerant towards all. Perfect example is this stream right here.

[@niecybaby1960]

I’m just not into Praise and Worship songs, I try but it’s almost how you feel about rap and I’m not a fan of it either. I love Gospel music, it’s soulful! Period! Fred Hammond is my absolute favorite, you taking about singing the Bible no body does it better than Fred. He is a worshipper and I love the he does it. John P Key, Maurette Brown Clark, Tamela Mann and more.

[@quantaviousjenkins7667]

Come on now! You listening to that good music!

[@dashelledisna6239]

Reckless love in Spanish is Amor sin condition. meaning unconditional love. That song is my top5 JIREH is my fav. love MAV CITY< cant wait for the tour

[@maxxiong]

TBH with the "You didn't want heaven without us", I'm not even sure the awkward was intended. The Chinese translation which was authorized by hillsong translates back to English as "In order to share heaven with us, you brought the Kingdom of heaven down" where the perceived emphasis is removed.

[@KayJay79]

I really enjoyed this video! It was informative and caused me to really think about the words in our worship songs. I must admit, I was really nervous when you brought up "So Will I" because I love that song. 9.9 is great so...Yay! Thanks for all you do for God and for His people. Blessings to you and your family!

[@kurtaaroncabrera3261]

Thank you Allen Parr, please do a series on this. :)

[@pamfinck605]

Since the word ‘reckless’ means doing something without regard for the consequences it will bring, isn’t that exactly what Jesus did? He came to earth, leaving His divine seat in heaven, knowing that He would face ridicule, hate, and torture. He suffered it all for us anyway. By human standards, that is reckless. But I am grateful for His reckless love.

[@keithmiller6583]

As a praise/worship leader for many years, I refused to sing this song as written; instead I changed the word "reckless" to "selfless," since all the other lyrics are doctrinally sound.

[@tomanderson8222]

There's no problem with Reckless Love of God. Reckless isn't describing carelessness of God, it's talking about the overwhelming, doing everything to find us, extraordinary love and mercy of God. From our standpoint, thinking of such a love and being overwhelmed about the ends that God would go to for us, it seems reckless, that is, not caring what it takes to bring us to Himself. Humans just couldn't or wouldn't go to such a length for sinful, wrong-doing people. It doesn't mean anything bad at all. In the chorus, after the words "wreckless love of God" it goes on to describe such an extraordinary, amazing love. I find no problem at all in this song.

[@worshipforever3909]

The reason why I am still breathing.. -the goodness of God

[@DavidWWhite1973]

@35:00 I have personally met two people who have had these miracles. One fell 40 feet while working on a tower at a NASCAR track and had to have metal bars put in his wrists. He was told he would never be able to bend them again...but one night during worship he raised his hands an was bending his wrists. Another person is a friend of my family that was in a morgue locker for almost 6 hours after dying as a result of a motorcycle accident and she woke up. Just because you've never personally seen it doesn't mean it can't happen.

[@potent1895]

I notice it's alot of the same recurring groups with the wrong doctrine in there music , it probably because hillsong church preach bad doctrine as well as elevation and bethal churches ... so you would expect it In their music they sing what is preached....

[@paulajames6149]

I find it is very cool that Allen, Ruslan, Mike Winger, and Alisa all come from a music background. Love that they enjoy music and still hold theology in high regard. I am not a very emotional person (more logical) and I tend not to enjoy emotional worship music. So even though it may not have incorrect theology in the lyrics if it is too hyper focused on emotions then I tend to stay away. I prefer to worship God with my heart and mind.

[@AliBryanOfficial]

Hello brother Allen. Im a 17 year old Christian. I’m very impressed/inspired by this video and your ministry. I recently started a media ministry. I wanted to know how you used the overlay and showed yourself and your computer with the nice red and black border background? Was it a software? Any other tips about online ministry would be great!! Much Blessings, Ali

[@TheHighkeyLowkey]

“Breathe” is SO good

[@johntrevett2944]

Should I feel guilty/missing out when I choose to not take part in worship when Bethel music is sung during corporate church worship? I feel like I'm the only one missing out but too convicted. I am part of a big Baptist church in TX.

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

You gotta do what feels right for you but the thing is - DON'T tell others what to do. This subject about music is largely SUBJECTIVE - not objective. There are exceptions to the rules and too many ppl are all for the rules or all for the exceptions and you have to have an open mind to both sides. I look at both sides from the third side...what I mean by this is: the edge of the coin is a good place to be b/c you can see both sides of the coin at the same time when you look at things this way. Peripheral vision is under-appreciated in our culture but should be examined more. It's the missing element in duality.

[@johntrevett2944]

@@kaitlynkarol4600 Thank you for the wise words. The only one that knows why/what I don't do is my wife. I feel like "hey maybe I'm too rigid or legalistic..." Like how can all the people sing praises and be filled with the joy of the Lord when singing this... does that mean I'm wrong? I know I've looked into things regarding Bethel that not many do. I feel that I'm doing what God's telling me with what knowledge I have. I have full confidence in that.

[@vickiehudson2668]

Allen Parr, I have a question for you. What is your point of view on the late Dottie Rambo's music? I personally believe that, God gave her a gift to write beautiful gospel songs. She has told so many stories how the songs she wrote came into songs. I believe she loved God with all of her bring. She has written some of the most popular and beautiful gospel songs ever wrote. Just was wanting to know your opinion on the songs she has wrote.

[@SiaD777]

ALLEN - a few thoughts: In Egypt it says, "The fury of God’s love." Maybe they mean how, if your child was hurt for example by the devil, then you'd be furious at the devil because of the love you have for your child. But personally I don't feel comfortable with that expression, because although He is a wrathful God, His Love is pure, which suggests to me fury isn't part of it. Also, the next song it says, "You brought heaven down." But Jesus didn't bring heaven down? He came down himself but He is God, not heaven and He didn't bring heaven with him, unless perhaps it's a taste of heaven because of His presence? And as for Too Good Not to Believe, the person who all this actually happened to (if it did) can sing this in truth and from the heart, but I can't, so this is not for me, though it doesn't make it unbiblical of course.

[@laquintahonora6415]

So glad I stayed until the end... I love that song too!!!

[@ahnagirl04]

So Will I…. My very favorite💜. So powerful, so anointed, just makes me press right in to worshiping God. Really appreciated your video. I’d live to hear your thoughts on Alabaster Heart by Bethel.

[@nahwhitfield2016]

Please Listen to this beautiful song by Le Andria Johnson kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3OofqaDr62hmck

[@mannievillanueva7580]

This is very informative and good to know! We really need to check the lyrics of the song that we are offering to the Lord. Because God is so good to all. He deserves the best! 🤗

[@joshuacooper8356]

All creation groans for the reveling of the sons of God - that's what I thought about in the Marcus Rogers song when he said the earth is longing for the Rightful King to take His throne

[@memunatusaffa9216]

Jireh by Maverick City just made Billboards #1 Gospel song. It’s has blessed me. I give it a 10 out of 10 🥰🥰🥰Glory Hallelujah to our Provider “You’re Jireh” .

[@kendragreene5953]

Yesss I absolutely love that song!!💕💕💕

[@memunatusaffa9216]

@@kendragreene5953 yay. Glory

[@loubsnixxvlogs4364]

Watching it through replay.

[@jimmyreinstein9993]

I recommend listening to more of KB or Beautiful Eulogy.

[@MsSajenkins]

Yes! Let's do this again.

[@annakaymcintosh3542]

Please do a part 2.....profound analysis👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@jessicaoverall1827]

Great analysis and thank you for emphasizing the importance of why we need to look carefully at the words we sing. Any song that mentions the name of Jesus gets an extra point in my book 😊 What are your thoughts on singing songs that we haven’t personally experienced? Eg. I may not have seen cancer disappear.. I feel like I’m not being truthful if I’m singing it..

[@DavidReyes-qn1bq]

Brother Allen, in the Maverick city song, you can definitely let God down. “You can’t let him down because you were never picking him up”, as you said, is not the type of “letting God down” that is being mentioned. A saved Christian that continues to live in willful sin is letting God down. Jesus is let down when Peter has little faith when walking in the water (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus is let down when The disciples can’t take a demon out of a boy(Matthew 17:14-20). Jesus even says, “how much longer should I put up with you. (v17)”

[@simonebeckley2461]

I might be mistaken but letting someone down and disappointing someone are different. In the songs I think it is about letting Him down. But is the scriptures, I think it is more about disappointment. God doesn't need out help, so we can't let Him down. But He does want us and wants the best for us so we can bring Him to compassion when we are astray.

[@topworshipsongs7380]

Who is Still Here watching 2020!!! Praise God! 😀

[@forTHEHIGHESTname]

Btw, you have an awesome singing voice!😇

[@memunatusaffa9216]

The first time I questioned the Reckless 💕 word in Reckless love of God song , my takeaway was, because he didn’t judge people, he fellowship with regular folks as a way of winning their souls for his kingdom

[@kaitlynkarol4600]

God most certainly does judge ppl just as we are supposed to do as well. We are instructed to judge 'righteously' which means fairly and with love and good intention and w/ God's support. We are not to judge the heart as only He can do that but we are to judge others' behavior ("by your fruits, ye will know them"). God loves but he also judges us - it is BOTH. Ppl don't have a good understanding of duality or language and that is why we are so messed up and confused. We conflate things and distort them b/c we are very tone-deaf about these topics due to these voids most ppl have. "Reckless" means to be irresponsible and God is NOT that! It's a lovely song but WRONG word choice.

[@memunatusaffa9216]

@@kaitlynkarol4600 thank you for your submission. Noted

[@R3j3ctionFil3z1]

Thanks Allen! That was great ... and a wonderful song to end on.