I don’t know how the band selects their song. And I am not sure whether these songs are the same contemporary songs I hear on the “WOW Worship series”.

So, again, my criticism of contemporary music and the relevance of that to what is happening (which has already happened in my church- and I have very very mixed feelings!) might be very little.

I must confess Abouna, that I was into contemporary Christian worship songs. I liked Third Day, I was given some Hillsong CDs and other things. When the band started singing some of these songs, I sort of knew what they were choosing from. I am not in any way a Theologian, but I believe strongly that some of their choices were either poor or inappropriate. The head singers are involved in Hillsong, and to criticise their choice is to criticise the church they are most devoted to. I hope this does not happen in your church.

I have no problem with using different musical styles and rhythms, but what I think is the problem that will be faced, is that contemporary ‘worship’ and music that is sold today, is the product of consumer marketing, rather than soul-searching and God pleasing. The multi-million dollar industry is run by opportunists of the psyche of Simon the Musician, rather than of David the Shepherd. I know that I should qualify that statement, and I hope to do so later, if you think this point is worth exploring.

If you espouse the music, you give greater exposure to young people like me, the stores such as Koorong and WORD. Great places, for sure. But driven by the unguided, heterodox consumers, they advertise foxes like Joyce Meyers and Benny Hill.

It is not just that we often do not have contemporary Christian music being sold in our Church, it is that anything that has the word “Christ” (not used in a phrase of profanity) is considered Christian, and would be mixed in the same album. Further, their theological validity are not tested. And moreover, I find that young people are either “very tolerant” or “naively accepting”.

The bottom line, I feel, of contemporary Christian worship is it is what can be sold to the public- not what is faithful to Christ and His Church. For many of these artists, this is their livelihood- not that is an evil thing! But, I think there is a huge compromise! It is not what glorifies God the most or what does the heart speak- but what would people like most that will be known and popular, and finally reach our parish.

I think what has been lost with contemporary worship is that it is not a flavoured ice-cream. Hymns are for God. They are not meant to touch us (directly, I think)- aren’t we suppose to be touched by God Himself? I really do think that many Christians, including myself (if I can be called one) have sold themselves short, with the quick fix of contemporary rhyme. But then again, I don’t think that the psalms of David really cure the vexed spirit of King Soul.

The relevance of the above, of course, is very little. It more or less warns of a danger, rather than gives any intelligible argument against the usage of Theologically correct and wholesome contemporary songs. As a Church, do we not pray “let us sing to Him a new hymn”.

Most of the Ancient Fathers identify the Abomination of Desolation with some form of image of the Antichrist that he will set up as the centrepiece of the Temple of Jerusalem which he is expected to rebuild. It is an abomination because it is a sort of horrible blasphemy that he will set up a statue of himself in the place where the Ark of the Covenant used to be, representing the presence of God in the Temple. It is like he is making himself out to be God.

Hope that helps.

Fr Ant