In the modern age, it’s not uncommon to find churches falling into a pattern of cheesy, shallow worship music. The superficiality of these songs often reveals much about the theology in the church itself. When a church preaches and a congregation subscribes to shallow theology, a low view of the sovereignty of God, and a high view of self, the music produced inevitably mirrors these beliefs. In the end, this music tends to focus more on appeasing human desires and emotions rather than exalting and honoring God.

A church that understands the truth of God’s majesty, righteousness, and grace is expected to produce worship that reflects these very truths. But how can you discern whether or not the music is man-centered? Here are five key ways to identify it:

1. Lyrics Focused on Human Needs and Desires

When lyrics are more about what we desire, need, or feel, rather than who God is and what He has done, it becomes a clear and concerning sign of man-centered worship. Such songs may discuss personal struggles, aspirations, and feelings of affirmation, but they fail to anchor these in the unchanging truth of God’s sovereign will and providence. If the primary focus is on the self rather than the Savior, the worship is misdirected and deviates from its true purpose.

One glaring example of this is the increasingly popular music by Charity Gayle, particularly the song “New Name Written Down in Glory,” and specifically the seemingly infinitely repeated lyric, “I am who I am because the I Am tells me who I am.” While this line attempts to reference the divine name “I Am,” it falls short of truly honoring God’s character and majesty because it actually centers on the individual’s identity, overshadowing the eternal and unchanging nature of God.

This lyric is constructed to emphasize personal realization and self-identification, overshadowing God’s attributes. By making the worship about who we are in God rather than who God is in Himself, it risks reducing the grandeur of the Almighty to a mere tool for human self-discovery. This can lead to an anthropocentric view of Christianity, which inevitably distorts essential doctrines of the faith.

Such a man-centered approach can also mislead congregants, directing their focus away from the Creator and towards themselves. The primary role of worship music is to glorify God, declare His righteousness, and celebrate His mercy. By focusing on personal experience without a firm grounding in sound theology, worship can become self-serving rather than God-honoring.

2. Emotionally-Charged Lyrics

Emotions are an essential part of human existence, and they have their place in worship as well. However, when lyrics are crafted to elicit a specific emotional response rather than reveal the truth about God, it becomes a tool for manipulation rather than genuine worship. True worship leads us to a deeper understanding of God’s character, not merely an emotional high.

An example of this trend can be found in the song “Running to Your Arms” by Hillsong, particularly the lyrics “No other name, Jesus, Jesus, My heart will sing No other name, Jesus, Jesus.” While these lyrics do elevate the name of Jesus, a critical analysis reveals a focus on emotion that might overshadow the core truth they attempt to convey.

The use of the phrase “My heart will sing” instead of a more direct “I will sing” appeals to the emotions rather than a commitment of will and understanding. By employing this emotive language, the lyric emphasizes a sentimental attachment or feeling towards Jesus rather than a profound acknowledgment of His lordship, deity, and redemptive work.

Though invoking emotion in worship is not inherently wrong, it must never become the primary aim or overshadow the objective truths of the Christian faith. In this specific instance, the lyrics, while well-intentioned, may lead to an experience-driven worship that prioritizes emotional satisfaction over the deep, biblically-grounded adoration of Christ.

Such an approach leads to a worship experience that may feel intense and moving but lacks the substance and depth that comes from a clear understanding of who God is as revealed in Scripture. Emotions, though powerful, are transient and can be easily swayed. Therefore, grounding our worship in the unchanging truths of God’s word is vital to ensure that it is genuine, lasting, and truly honoring to God.

3. Emotionally-Charged Music and Chord Structure

Music has a powerful ability to move us, and certain chord structures can indeed stir the emotions. But if the musical arrangement’s primary goal is to create an emotional experience rather than support the theological truths found in the lyrics, then it is serving man rather than God. Worship music should complement the profound truth about God, not overshadow it.

Some prominent contemporary churches and music groups, such as Bethel Church, Hillsong, Elevation, and Jesus Culture, have produced music that can be analyzed through this lens. Their compositions often employ calculated chords and musical structures known to elicit empathetic emotional highs, similar to certain drug-induced states. While these groups have certainly reached a wide audience and have contributed positively in various ways, the potential dangers in their musical approach should be considered critically.

The emphasis on emotional experience by using specific chord progressions may inadvertently shift the focus of worship away from solid theological grounding. While emotions are valid, they should not be the driving force in worship and must be guided by God’s Word. Furthermore, this intentional design to produce emotional highs can become manipulative, guiding feelings rather than allowing Scripture to guide hearts and minds, leading to personal satisfaction over genuine reverence for God.

When the musical arrangement and emotional experience become central, profound truths about God can be overshadowed. Worship music that prioritizes emotion over theology can miss opportunities to instruct and remind the congregation of the foundational doctrines of faith. This over-reliance on emotion also leads to a risk of subjectivity in worship, creating a fragmented experience that varies from person to person. Furthermore, the authenticity of the worship experience can be questioned when emotions may arise more from a carefully crafted musical experience than from a genuine response to God’s truth.

4. Lack of Scriptural Depth and Theological Accuracy

A clear sign of man-centered worship music is the lack of depth in scriptural content and theological accuracy. When songs are vague, shallow, or even contrary to what the Bible teaches, they cease to be an instrument of true worship. Songs must be rooted in the truth of Scripture, proclaiming the character, works, and promises of God as revealed in the 66 books of the Bible.

A prevalent example of this lack of depth can be found in what has been termed the “seven-eleven” song, where the same seven lines are repeated eleven times. While repetition in itself is not necessarily wrong, the overuse of this method can lead to an unfortunate shallowness.

The repetitive nature of “seven-eleven” songs often leaves little room for profound theological insight or exploration of the vast riches found in Scripture. Such simplicity may create an emotionally satisfying but spiritually lacking worship experience. With a focus on catchiness and emotional appeal, these songs might inadvertently emphasize aspects that are not aligned with Biblical teachings, opening the door for potential misunderstandings or even misrepresentations. This overemphasis on emotion can overshadow the essential doctrines of the faith, serving the desires of man more than honoring God. Furthermore, these songs, with their limited content, miss the opportunity to instruct, correct, and encourage the body of believers in a substantive way. The Christian faith is rich and multifaceted, and worship music should reflect this depth.

5. Overemphasis on Musical Performance

Finally, the overemphasis on musical excellence, professional production, recording quality, sound precision, and lighting reveals a profound misunderstanding of the true nature of worship. While these elements may be seen by some as enhancements to the worship experience, they actually do not add value to true worship, as the Bible clearly illustrates.

True worship, as described in the Scriptures, is a response to Jesus being revealed to us by God the Father. It is not contingent on musical skill, technological prowess, or atmospheric effects. When we look at the worship of God by the angels and His people in the Bible, we see a focus on the character, works, and promises of God. This worship is not characterized by human artistry or innovation but by a deep and abiding reverence for who God is.

The scenes of worship in Revelation, for example, are filled with awe, humility, and a complete focus on God’s glory and sovereignty. The angelic hosts and the elders around the throne of God are not entertained by musical performances or captivated by lighting effects. They are utterly consumed with the holiness, power, and grace of God, singing “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Their worship is a pure response to the revelation of God’s character, unfettered by human constructs or preferences.

In a similar vein, when we look at the Psalms, we find expressions of worship that are rooted in the truths of God’s word, His faithfulness, His justice, and His mercy. The Psalms are often accompanied by music, but there is no mention of professionalism or technical excellence. The psalmists are concerned with integrity, truth, and a heart that is right before God.

The focus on musical excellence at the expense of these essential aspects of worship is, in fact, a man-centered approach. It draws attention away from God and toward human achievement. It can turn the act of worship into a performance, more about entertaining the congregation rather than leading them to the throne of God. It places value on things that have no eternal significance, rather than on the profound truths of God’s word.

The responsibility falls primarily on the pastors of these churches, but also on the songwriters and worship leaders to craft songs that maintain the integrity of biblical truths and direct our hearts toward the true object of our worship: God Himself. Anything less can lead us into shallow and misdirected adoration, detracting from the beauty and majesty of our Creator. It is an urgent call to return to worship that genuinely reflects and exalts the sovereign God as revealed in the 66 books of the Bible.

The call for the church today is to examine the worship music critically and ensure that it aligns with the truth of God’s word. The measure of worship music is not its popularity or emotional appeal but its faithfulness to biblical truths and its ability to exalt the Almighty God. It’s a call to a deeper understanding of who God is and a commitment to honor Him in our worship, not merely satisfy our emotional needs.