What is Worldliness?

In Tim Challies‘ recent review of the new book, Worldliness (edited by CJ Mahaney; Challies offers a less-stellar-than-usual review ), he summarized the view presented of the term “worldliness:”

“He biblically defines worldliness saying that this world we’re not supposed to love is ‘the organized system of human civilization that is actively hostile to God and alienated from God.’ Worldliness is a love for this fallen world and, specifically, ‘to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God.’ Mahaney is careful to point out that worldliness is not extrinsic to us but intrinsic, inhabiting our fallen hearts. Worldliness does not consist of outward actions (though such actions can certainly be evidence of worldliness) but instead is a heart attitude that rebels against God. The antidote to worldliness is the cross of Christ. ‘Only through the power of the cross of Christ can we successfully resist the seduction of the fallen world.’ Worldliness dulls our affections for Christ and distracts our hearts from him. Hence it is so serious ‘because Christ is so glorious.’

I believe the Bible leaves little room to doubt that definition or something close to it. Worldliness is more a disposition than a style. 

God Loves Singing!

Here’s a cool thought: God loves singing! When we understand that, it hopefully helps our worship toward Him. Too many times, we enter flippantly into His presence. Or we think that singing is a mere human expression of His commanded worship. The truth is, however, that singing is a God-given privilege to be used to glorify Him!

The Bible says that God sings:

Zephaniah 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 

I think it’s pretty awesome to know that God sings! He did so when He was walking this earth as well:

Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 

Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, the Inventor of singing, sang songs with His disciples while on earth! How amazing would that be to sing along with God? Well, we’re going to do that someday:

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

As God is saving people, He is amassing a heavenly choir from every tribe and tongue to be part of the best song service in all of eternity. While on earth, it’s thought provoking to realize that, as different church services go on at the same time around the world, God is listening to our singing praises to His name. Remember this as you sing!

Honest Hymns

I realize I’m not the first to think about this topic, but it’s interesting to visit the arena of church music, especially to pay attention to the lyrics. As fundamentalists, we’re often hard pressed to strive for purity in all areas of life. When it comes to music, one could accurately say this issue is one of the top issues of controversy. And that’s fine – too many churches have incorporated worldliness into their services. But, of course, the issue of music isn’t just about the style itself. Lyrics must also be considered.

Now I don’t intend at all to take a look at every common hymn and dissect it for error. These were all written by men and as a result, error is prone to happen. But what is very interesting to me is that there seems to have been a shift in evangelical hymn writing – a shift from hymns about God to hymns about self. Rather than using a hymn to praise God, newer hymns seem to emphasize us: our faith, our love for God, our holiness, our willingness to serve, etc. Now, I know the Bible contains psalms about self, but they are normally psalms of mourning or cries for help. If we are going to incorporate “I”, “me”, “we”, and “us” into hymns that we sing to the Lord, we’ve got to be honest.