How important is it for Christian musicians and worship leaders to have sound doctrine?
After all, their specialty and gifting is in music and singing, right?
Here's another question:
Is that the way it should be?
I've grown up in a generation that (whether people--even leaders--have ever come right out and said this or not) has tried to separate doctrine from worship. As listeners, church members, and customers, we (myself included) have not required of our musicians an understanding of even basic doctrine. Just because a band or an artist claims to be Christian, we'll support them. As I said, I cannot separate myself from this. For years of my life, though I was not always convinced certain bands were Christian just because they said so, I listened to "Christian" music that I have since realized has bad doctrine or even none at all behind it.
But today I'm here to tell you that sound doctrine is absolutely vital to true worship. What is worship? Adoration and praise of our glorious God, right? Can we really be motivated to worship--truly worship (see John 4:24)--without having a correct view of Who God is?
And on the flip-side, what is doctrine without worship? I'd question whether it is truly possible to have one without the other. When you see God as He is, when you behold the Truth, how can you help but be moved to heartfelt worship? He is far too majestic and awesome for us to fully comprehend in the first place, but even just a glimpse of His glory is enough to send the beholders straight to our knees and faces in wonder. Our praise must be based on Truth, or else it is groundless and just a fake stirring of emotion.
You cannot have true worship without true doctrine.
And when you really understand true doctrine, it must (and will) invariably drive you to worship.
So here's my challenge to the worship leader, the songwriter, the musician--get your doctrine straight; your job is (and should be) to point people to Jesus. And what better way to do that than to know Him more, to know the truth about Him, to behold Him as He truly is... And when you see Him in His glory, it becomes that much easier to draw others' gazes to Him as well. That's where worship begins--knowing and beholding God almighty.
May we as believers in the one true God behold and sing and testify of the greatness of our God. Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord...for us, may it be today. May we focus on the Glorious One and forget our selves in His presence. May we dwell and walk with Him, learning more about Him and simultaneously worshiping Him for all He is.
This is what we were made for.
