How Great is Our God:

The Trinity in the contemporary Christian Worship Music

c. 2009 B. Walrath/ R. Woods All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Introduction

• God exists and acts as three persons• Don’t settle for less, It’s scriptural.• Consumerist culture

– Critical that worship be true to us– Worship may become cold if it is too theological

• Theology provides:“fuller, richer vision of God”

• Deeper Love by more complete understanding of Him

Introduction continued (quotes)

• “It is not just the latest generation”• “Okay kids, let’s make sure we have the first aid kit and

the doctrine of the Trinity just in case something happens.” (wrong)

VERY IMPORTANT• The doctrine of the trinity is a vision not only of God but

also of our greatest longings for salvation and our deepest hopes in worship. It liberates by affirming the blessed thought that salvation and worship do not depend upon me. (.3 s1)

Key thought to the Trinity

• Worship and Salvation are gifts of participating through the Holy Spirit in the incarnate Son’s communication with God the Father

Why?

• Believing right things about God is an essential component in honoring God appropriately.

• Avoid pitfalls, even idolatry. (p.30)• Orthodox= “right glory”

Method of Analysis 1. Do the songs name the Trinity or all the three persons of

the Trinity?2. Do the songs direct our worship toward the trinity as a

whole or towards the persons of the trinity?3. Do the songs remember the activity of the Divine Persons

among themselves?4. Do the songs see Christian worship as participation of

believers in inter-Trinitarian dynamics or activity?5. Do the songs use the character of inter-Trinitarian

relationships to explore a desired character for relationship among Christians, for example, unity, love, sacrifice, or humility?

Results (from the 77 database)

• Explicitly used trinity or triune 0

• Refer or name all three persons 4• Reference the Father 7• Reference to Jesus or the Son

34• “Lord” – not very obvious to whom 47

- Do The songs name the Trinity or all the three persons of the Trinity?

Results continuedDo the songs direct our worship toward the trinity as a whole or

towards the persons of the trinity?

• How great is our God (only song for triune worship)

• Only two others lead to direct worship of trinity• Out of the 7 that name the Spirit only four

directly worship the Spirit.• Only four directly worship the Father.

Results continued

Do the songs remember the activity of the Divine Persons among themselves?

• No, or very minimally…• “without naming…” (read p.33)• 11/77 of the songs make clear reference to two

distinct persons.• “Better is one day example”

As the DeerAs the deer panteth for the waterSo my soul longeth after theeYou alone are my hearts desireAnd I long to worship thee

ChorusYou alone are my strength my shieldTo You alone may my spirit yieldYou alone are my hearts desireAnd I long to worship thee

Great Song, that…

Could be better?

“As the Deer”

• The song’s recipient is the singers strength, shield, hearts desire, friend, brother, sole satisfaction, real joy giver, and apple of his or her eye

• The song does not…• Say who the recipient is• Build a relationship with

any of the trinity• Therefore lacks a fuller

understanding of God

Results continuedDo the songs see Christian worship as participation of believers in

inter-Trinitarian dynamics or activity?

• There is little sense, if any, of worshipers being in Christ or Christ being in worshipers, particularly as a church related reality during corporate worship.

• Not enough interrelation of the trinity for this to happen

• Read middle of page 36 together, “neither do these”

Results continued

Do the songs use the character of inter-Trinitarian relationships to explore a desired character for relationship among Christians, for example, unity, love, sacrifice, or humility?

• This answer is a strong No• Uses the word church 1• Has a church theme 1• God’s people in community (only a handful)

Homework! ; )

• Read Discusion on pg. 37 through the conclusion which ends at pg 42 to wrap up the chapter.