Balm in Gilead: Recent Episodes
Bryan Emerson, Grant Baker, & Justin Rea
Psalm 58 (ESV)
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David.
1 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands deal out violence on earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;
they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter.
6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!
7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;
when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,
like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”
Ice Breaker: “What have you been listening to/reading”?
Song vs SongGratitude: Brandon Lake
Verse 1
All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?
Verse 2
I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do
Chorus
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
Verse 3
I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arm stretched wide
I will worship You
Chorus
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
Bridge (x3)
So come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Chorus
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
Babylon Bee – Worship leader driving over the bridge
Worship Leader Late To Church After Repeatedly Driving Over Bridge | Babylon Bee
4 issue:
- Problem with Perspective
- Lens of reader vs lens of writer
There are two lenses through which to view this song. If you look through the lens of the reader (i.e. “me”), there is a logic that makes sense and contains some truth. For instance, it is true that I hold in tension the two facts that I desire to fully express my gratitude for Christ’s saving grace and my inability to perfectly magnify the thrice holy God of the universe. The logic breaks down, however, when you look at the song through the lens of the writer (specifically, “Brandon Lake”).
The opening line makes very little logical sense when you see Brandon Lake specifically saying “all my words fall short.” He acknowledges that his words are not the best words to offer God in praise, but then he goes ahead and does it anyway. When “I’m” singing the song, it is easy to overlook this issue, but thinking about Brandon Lake writing that line raises some questions:
- If he knew that his words fall short, why not sing a Psalm or a hymn that has stood the test of time?
- If he knew that his words fall short, why knowingly offer God what he himself considers to be an insufficient song?
Lake has no problem offering God a second best option, especially when they are his words. He even goes out of his way to proclaim that the song is a second best option, since he could have easily written an alternate first line. As it is, the song comes off as a “humble brag”.
Settling for his own words rather than choosing a song God wrote (a Psalm) or a song tested by the church over time (a hymn), results in a final product that elevates Brandon Lake more than it elevates God.
- Words be 2 cas(ual)
The second line of the song is “I got nothing new” and the first line of the course is “So I throw up my hands”. Both of these lines are placed in such a way to set the mood of the song. The rest of the song is built on the foundation of those two lines, and those two lines are incredibly casual. It reads like you are talking to your buddy, not the thrice holy God of the universe.
There is a reality that Jesus calls us “friend”, but that does not diminish the fact that Jesus’ glory will obliterate any sinner in His presence. The proper response to being in the same space as Christ is to fall prostrate on your face and say “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Even when compared to the hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus, there is not the same feeling of casualness. The hymn, while exulting in the fact that we can call Jesus our friend, never divorces the fact that He is God. In fact, the song proclaims “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” This over casualization of our relationship with God has a two fold effect of both lowing Christ below His position and raising ourselves above ours.
- Salvation conflation
- Justification vs Sanctification
The song conflates the idea of fallen sinners bringing nothing to their justification and bringing an appropriate offering of praise. It is true that no one can contribute to their salvation; that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is not true, however, that we have nothing of value to bring God in worship. This is because as we are Sanctified, we have more and more Christ-like behavior.
In Philippians 2:12b-13, it says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” The language and theme of “fear and trembling” is seen elsewhere in the Bible in the context of proper worship of the thrice holy God of the universe (Psalm 2, Isaiah 6). As such, we can learn that we are called by God to contribute to our worship through the process of Sanctification.
Throughout the story of King Saul and King David, the theme of obedience over sacrifice is repeated (1 Samuel 15:22, Psalm 51:16-17). Paul brings the same idea up in 2 Corinthians 7:15:
And (Titus’s) affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
As we grow to be more and more like Christ through Sanctification, we have more and more to offer God in worship through obedience.
- Failed attempt to appeal to Psalm 42
- Lack of Scripture use in general
The bridge of the song switches from speaking to God to speaking to “my soul”. This is an odd shift, but there is biblical precedent in Psalm 42.
In Psalm 42, the speaker is not speaking directly to God throughout, but rather the whole thing reads as introspective. There is a marked shift from the “verses” to the “refrain” in that the Psalm switches from no direct recipient to the direct recipient of “my soul”:
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
In Gratitude, the change in recipient from “You” to “my soul” is similar to the shift on Psalm 42, but it is important to see how different these passages are.
In both the bridge of Gratitude and the refrain of Psalm 42, the soul is troubled. This reflects the soul of everyone, believer or not. All of humanity can relate to one another through our troubled souls. However, the remedies are starkly different in these passages.
In Gratitude, the remedy for the troubled soul is to white knuckle your way through it. The passage is a pep talk to find your strength from within, to “get up and praise the Lord”. This is especially odd considering the foundational concept of having nothing of worth to offer.
In contrast, the refrain from Psalm 42 offers a different remedy for the troubled soul: “hope in God.” Don’t place your hope on the lion that resides inside of your lungs, but hope in God! Only then will you praise Him.
More than the failed attempt to appeal to Psalm 42, the song Gratitude fails to appeal to any Scripture. There is exactly one accurate theological concept: the never ending nature of God. Every other theological statement is the invention of man, most commonly as a conflation of terms, such as “all my words (of praise) fall short” being conflated with “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”.
This song ends up being a poster child for “doxology without theology”, which Shai Linne identifies as “idolatry”.
1 Timothy 6 (KJV)
16: who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
1 Peter 2 (KJV)
9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Song of the Risen Son: As Isaac (Album: Headed for My Home)
You hold the keys
Of heaven and earth
From eternity
Eternity
You are complete in perfection so sweet
You are otherly
Otherly
Holy Holy
God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy Holy
God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb who will reign
You humbled Yourself
To death as a man
To redeem Your own
Redeem Your own
You will appear and return on the clouds
And all flesh will see
And bend their knee
One generation
Will tell of Your works so
Another can know of Your infinite worth
All of Your works here
In heaven or earth or
Above or below will come tremble before
And bring blessing to Him who is
seated on high
Who alone dwells in fierce unapproachable light
Until children from every nation and tongue
Will join in the song of the risen Son
My only complaint with this song is that they didn’t work a third “holy” into the chorus…
I do have serious thoughts, but I’m cool with doing more of an off the cuff review. Lots of great Scripture references. The whole thing is unwaveringly focused on Christ, with no mention of “me” at all. Instead of saying “I throw up my hands and praise you”, the song simply, boldly, and explicitly praises Christ, for who He is and what He has done.
Thanks for listeningThe Balm of Gilead podcast is a member of the Tech Reformation family of podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please share it with others. We enjoy hearing from you, so join us on our Discord and let us know what you’re thinking. If email is more your thing, write to us at thereis
Psalm Psalm 57
WelcomeWhat have we been listening to… since February
Bryan (old hats)
- Poor Bishop Hooper
- Sarah Sparks
- Providence
- The Oh Hellos
(really old hats)
- Switchfoot/Jon Foreman
- Relient K
- Colony House
(new hats)
- The Gray Havens
- You Me & The Bread
- The Orchardist
- Nostalgia
- Shiplap
- On Repeat
Spencer* Psallos (Philippians and Hebrews) on 2 road trips * New upcoming Psallos tracks for Patreon members! * PBH (Psalms, Golgotha) * Sarah Sparks (Ways and Means, All I Have) * Brian Sauve (Even Dragons Shall Him Praise) * Jadon Lavik (Roots Run Deep) * Classical Music (Bach, Handel’s Messiah) * Ventured into a little Skillet (Dominion) * Instrumental EDM * Proverbs 10, Vol. 2: The Foolish Man Will Fall * All Good Things * Recommendation for Spencer: Handel: Messiah | Voces8 and Academy of Ancient Music [Full Concert]
Grant1. Crown & Covenant (Ps 42D, Ps 1A, Ps 143b, Ps 78f) 2. Jared Kraft (Revival: The Work of God soundtrack) 3. The Corner Room (Matthew 11:28-30, John 17:1-11, John 3:16-17, Movement II (V.4-10)) 4. Colony House (One of Those Days, Landlocked Surf Rock, Cannonballers, Would Ya Could Ya) 5. The National Parks (As We Ran, Chance, Sunshine, 8th Wonder, Rodeo, Summer of Memories) 6. The Beach Boys (Surf Jam, Surfin’ Safari, Surfin’ U.S.A., California Girls, Fun, Fun, Fun) 7. Owl City (Deer in the Headlights, Vitamin Sea, Learn How to Surf, Embers, Fireflies, Kelly Time) 8. Voces8 (The Luckiest, Shenandoah, Maria, Gabriel’s Message) 9. Ola W. Jansson (The Good Life, At Last, For Keith Jarrett, Sunset Bird) 10. Holly Dutton (Shorter Catechism songs)
Special Mention: Spencer Parsons (Forget Not All His Benefits, A Wise Son, A Wise Son (Instrumental, Piano Version), You’re My Joy)
Ice BreakerState of Christian Music according to John Cooper and Alisa Childers:
- Progressive Christianity is more pervasive
- Identifying with fallenness over Christ
- Flamy Grant
- Avoiding Bethel and Hillsong
Note the importance of more influential voices speaking especially to the idea of blanket rule rejecting Bethel and Hillsong
Song V Song“Christ Is Lower Still”The Porter’s Gate
V1
Breathe in, reach out
Touch the hem of your garment now
Help me, heal me
My mind, my body, and soul
Chorus
Let the king descend, living word made flesh
Lift this heavy heart to your throne o god
In his wounds I find room for all of mine
When from grace I fell, Christ was lower still
V2
Humbly, lowly
Jesus waits in the valley
My Savior suffers with me
With Him, I’ll rise again
Chorus x2
Til the earth is filled, Christ is lower still
Bridge
We lift it all up to you Lord
We lift our heads we lift our hands
We lift our dreams we lift our plans
We lift our sorrow and our pain
We cast our cares on you again
We lift it all up to you Lord
Chorus x2
Til the earth is filled, Christ is lower still
Some notes on this song
“Fell from grace” – Galatians 5:4 and some commentary from Got Questions.
“Nothing Either Great or Small”You Me & The Bread
(based on this hymn)
V1
Nothing either great or small
Nothing sinner, no
Jesus died to pay it all
Ever long ago
When he from his lofty throne
Stooped to do and die
Everything was fully done
Hearken to his cry
Chorus
And rest in the hands of the Savior
Rest in him
Rest in the grace of his labor
Rest in him
V2
Weary working burdened one
Wherefore toil you so?
Cease your doing, all was done
Ever long ago
‘Til to Jesus’ work you cling
By a simple faith
Doing is a deadly thing
But by His work, we’re saved
Chorus
V3
It is finished, yes indeed
Finished we were bought
Sinners, this is all we need
Tell me, is it not?
We cast our deadly doing down
Down at Jesus’ feet
Stand in him and him alone
Gloriously complete
Chorus
(oddly enough, the hymn that inspired this song also inspired It Is Finished by Bifrost Arts–the same people that later formed The Porter’s Gate–so we could have done a Pre-Deconstruction V Post-Deconstruction comparison)
How Can We Take the Lord’s Supper in a Worthy Manner? | Monergism
“So, the best and only worthiness which we can bring to God, is to offer him our own vileness, and unworthiness, that his mercy may make us worthy:
- to despond in ourselves, that we may be consoled in him
- to humble ourselves, that we may be elevated by him
- to accuse ourselves, that we may be justified by him”
John Calvin
Thanks for listeningThe Balm of Gilead podcast is a member of the Tech Reformation family of podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please share it with others. We enjoy hearing from you, so join us on our Discord and let us know what you’re thinking. If email is more your thing, write to us at thereis
Psalm 56Psalm 56
Welcome“Hello and welcome back to the Balm in Gilead podcast, where we explore all things Christian music and worship. I’m your host, Bryan, and as always, I’m joined by my co-host, Grant. Today, we have a fascinating and thought-provoking topic to dive into – Artificial Intelligence and Christian worship music.
What happens when AI writes Christian songs? Can machines truly capture the essence of worship, or is there something unique about human creativity and expression? We’re excited to explore these questions and more as we delve into the intersection of technology and faith.
But that’s not all – we’ll also be discussing where worship comes from, and whether worship written by those outside the faith has a place in Christian worship. It’s a complex and nuanced topic, but we believe it’s important to engage with it as we seek to deepen our understanding of worship.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and join us for this exciting and thought-provoking episode. Let’s dive in!”
(Yes, that’s written by ChatGPT, along with the title, and the excerpt. And the image #DallE)
Philippians 1:15-18
English Standard Version
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
This, coupled with the idea that a song does not need to be born out of worship to be useful for worship (which is a form of mysticism), allows for the use of any useful song in worship (so long as it has been proven useful based on its own merit through discernment).
What We’re Listening ToGrant* Crown & Covenant * Holly Dutton * Time for Three, Letters from the Future * Jeff Lippencott * Colony House
Bryan* Everything and More and Come Alive back to back * The Balm of Gilead – Mike Crawford and His Secret Siblings * Things Unseen * Filter it Through a Brain Cell
Can AI/ML write a worship song?write a worship song that focuses on lament turning to praise
Verse 1:Lord, I come before Your throneHeavy hearted, feeling aloneMy tears fall like rainAs I cry out Your name
Chorus:But in the midst of my painI will lift up Your nameMy lament turns to praiseFor You are worthy all my days
Verse 2:I pour out my soul to YouMy fears and doubts, my heart so trueI lay it all at Your feetAnd trust in Your mercy sweet
Chorus:But in the midst of my painI will lift up Your nameMy lament turns to praiseFor You are worthy all my days
Bridge:You are the God who seesYou hear my every pleaIn Your arms I find peaceMy heart and soul released
Chorus:But in the midst of my painI will lift up Your nameMy lament turns to praiseFor You are worthy all my days
Outro:So let the heavens singOf Your love and everythingFor You have turned my sorrowInto a bright new tomorrow.
The John Calvin “quote.”
“The Lord commands us to worship him in a simple and unadorned manner, not in ways that are flashy, showy, or designed to impress others. Therefore, we should always be wary of using technology or other means to enhance or manipulate our worship. Instead, we should focus on the pure and sincere worship of God that comes from the heart.”
ChatGPT
ChatGPT, when asked, does give reference to Institutes of the Christian Religion Book II, Ch. 8, Section 17.
The Institutes of the Christian Religion Book 2 Chapter 8
- As in the first commandment the Lord declares that he is one, and that besides him no gods must be either worshipped or imagined, so he here more plainly declares what his nature is, and what the kind of worship with which he is to be honoured, in order that we may not presume to form any carnal idea of him. The purport of the commandment, therefore, is, that he will not have his legitimate worship profaned by superstitious rites. Wherefore, in general, he calls us entirely away from the carnal frivolous observances which our stupid minds are wont to devise after forming some gross idea of the divine nature, while, at the same time, he instructs us in the worship which is legitimate, namely, spiritual worship of his own appointment. The grossest vice here prohibited is external idolatry. This commandment consists of two parts. The former curbs the licentious daring which would subject the incomprehensible God to our senses, or represent him under any visible shape. The latter forbids the worship of images on any religious ground. There is, moreover, a brief enumeration of all the forms by which the Deity was usually represented by heathen and superstitious nations. By “any thing which is in heaven above” is meant the sun, the moon, and the stars, perhaps also birds, as in Deuteronomy, where the meaning is explained, there is mention of birds as well as stars (Deut 4:15). I would not have made this observation, had I not seen that some absurdly apply it to the angels. The other particulars I pass, as requiring no explanation. We have already shown clearly enough ([[OSIS:Calvinst.1.11.12]]) that every visible shape of Deity which man devises is diametrically opposed to the divine nature; and, therefore, that the moment idols appear, true religion is corrupted and adulterated.
John Calvin, the real one
Link: https://www.relight.app/resource/Calvinst.2.8.17
Thanks for listeningThe Balm of Gilead podcast is a member of the Tech Reformation family of podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please share it with others. We enjoy hearing from you, so join us on our Discord and let us know what you’re thinking. If email is more your thing, write to us at thereis
Psalm 55Psalm 55 on Relight
WelcomeThe Rev. Aaron De Boer (Associate Reformed Presbyterian, ARP) joins us this week. Follow him on Twitter at @DutchPresby and visit Friend of Sinners church that he pastors in Everson and Maple Falls, WA. For more info visit their website FriendofSinnersReformed.org
What We’re Listening toBryan* I have been listening to the album When I Was Younger by Colony House. My van is acting finicky in the cold weather and it’s doing weird things to my battery, so I have unplugged everything that might possibly be a problem, include the aux cable I use to connect my phone (no Bluetooth in this van, and no I don’t think that is actually an issue, but I would rather be safe than have to pay for another battery). I have the physical album in the CD player and I’m just listening to it on repeat. It would probably still be 5 Score, but the last two tracks skip which stinks because they are the best two songs. * CH also released their 4th album this week: Cannonballers. While You & I is still arguably their best song (from their second album), this album is fantastic upon first listen. Very cohesive. It is a summer album released on a day where it is 13 degrees here, so kinda weird but it works. Not a work of high art, but it will probably do better than their third album on the charts. I think “Trying to Survive” is my favorite song on the album. It is clearly political, but not slap-you-in-the-face political. Definitely referring to current issues but is still evergreen. Well constructed lyrics to accomplish all that. That said, I still hate the opening line lol. * I have tried to expand my horizons and find some other Metal in particular that I like. I actually want to find a band that incorporates banjo into their metal, and while there seems to be a decent amount, none of the lyrics pass the car seat test (I wouldn’t feel comfortable with my littles listening as well).
AaronAndrew Remillard
Grant* Top 5 Artists This Month + Crown & Covenant + Ola Gjello + Peter Gregson + Colony House + Jeff Lippencott * Album of note + The Cannonballers – Colony House like Bryan said * Top 5 Songs This Month + Cannonballers – Colony House + One of Those Days – Colony House + Would Ya Could Ya – Colony House + Sunshine – The National Parks + Landlocked Surf Rock – Colony House * Mention a song you can’t get enough of + One of Those Days – Colony House * I’m 99% Obscure * Next week, I’ll listen to something more interesting.
Join us on Discord, follow on Spotify, or Last.fm
Main Topic: Reconstructing DeconstructionPlumb is a CCM artist closer to the fringe than the mainstream. Formed by singer/songwriter Tiffany Arbuckle, Plumb’s first album debuted in 1997 and her latest was the album Behold that released in 2020.
At some point along that journey, she describes herself as deconstructing, a phenomenon we’ve talked about on our show before, particularly regarding former CCM artists or evangelical figures. “Deconstructing” begins from the belief that there is no one way we can decide what is true. Since Christianity relies on a divinely inspired and inerrant text, it too must go and be replaced by something new. The concept of deconstruction was developed by philosopher Jacques Derrida in 1967 and came into more popular use in the 1980s. Today it is a favorite tool of the Critical theorists. As the term suggests, it is a tearing down of institutions, but his goal was not anarchy. John Feinberg says,
“Instead, the goal of deconstructing so as to admit the coming or entrance of the other is to reconstruct society to be a new society that empowers all people and hears equally all different perspectives.
Feinberg, J. S. (2001). No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (p. 143). Crossway Books.
This is what Arbuckle says essentially this about her faith in a recent Facebook post writing, “deconstructing for the purpose of reconstructing our faith.” At first, it might sound harmless, maybe even a positive step. Yet as Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 1:19, rejecting the prophecies handed down to us results in a “shipwreck in regard to their faith.”
Modern English Version (Thinline Edition, 1 Ti 1:19). (2014). Passio.
- Sophia Society
- Rachel Held Evans
Questions* Thinking about people that are drawn to deconstruction, is this something that could be helped by sitting down with him or her and asking them about what assurance they get from a “faith” in deconstruction? * How do we talk with someone who claims they are now deconstructing their faith so they can reconstruct it? * It strikes me that the deconstructionist must first deny God’s revelation of Himself since that is a statement that God is the source of all truth. How can our churches ensure a robust defense of revelation and would such a defense head off these doctrines from our churches? * Where do we start with someone who thinks of themself as deconstructing? * Is there a good way to deconstruct/reconstruct our faith or is this language that we should avoid?
Rev Aaron De Boer (ARP)@DutchPresby
FriendofSinnersReformed.org
- Recent Church History
- Personal interactions
- Ecclesial interactions
- Biblical/Confessional Theology
Bryan’s ThoughtsInitial thoughts:
- She is seemingly incorrectly using the term “deconstruct”, so we would want to have a segment where we carefully discuss differences between “deconstructing” and “testing the spirits/preparing a defense/etc.”
- I don’t know what she means by “un-Christlike” behavior tied to the label “Christian”. Her lack of example gives me a great deal of pause. Is she talking about “Christian Nationalism”, “Westboro Baptists”, or the Christian baker who wouldn’t bake the cake? We don’t know, and that greatly effects the rest of what she says.
-
2 is also a play straight out of the left playbook, where they make an unsubstantiated Truth claim about “Christianity” and then move on. The actual Truth is that there is no difference between the two terms she lists—”Christian” and “Christ Follower”—and claiming to identify with one over the other is playing into the hand of the zeitgeist.
- Based on everything else she said, I think she actually might be deconstructing.
The story of the Bereans* Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Having a defense of the faith* 1 Peter 3:14b Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Testing the spirits* 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
Examining what you believe with discernment in order to weed out false theology that has crept in (in order to purify your faith system) is fundamentally different (almost 180⁰ different) from deconstruction. Deconstruction, at its core, seeks to break down orthodox teaching and rebuild something new that fits into today’s culture but still has an “orthodox” feel to it. I will keep all of the teaching where Jesus talks about loving your neighbor, but I will reject that he said “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”. I will then be able to redefine loving my neighbor as “affirming the sin in all my lost friends’ lives” and label “not baking the cake” as bigoted and hateful.
Martin Luther, reexamined his faith system by comparing his beliefs with the foundation of Scripture, keeping the blocks that matched up while nailing the ones that didn’t to the church door.
Related EpisodesCheck these other episodes out
- (Bonus Content) Community Deconstruction
- 32 – Earth Has No Sorrow: Dustin Kensrue’s Deconstruction, Review of “The Grey” by Thrice, and Reviews of “Departures” and “Jesus, I Have My Doubts” by Jon Foreman
- 46 – Mars Hill Music: The Modern Post
- 41 – Not What My Hands Have Done: Understanding Excellence in the Craft of Lyrics and Music
Thanks for listeningThe Balm of Gilead podcast is a member of the Tech Reformation family of podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please share it with others. We enjoy hearing from you, so join us on our Discord and let us know what you’re thinking. If email is more your thing, write to us at thereis
Psalm 54
We love talking about music on the show and this week we talk about our top picks from 2022. Do you agree with us? Find something interesting? Let us know, follow us on Spotify or Last.fm and drop a comment below.
Chortles Weakly and Wresby of the excellent Presbycast podcast join us to talk all things Christian music—from the business, to worship, to personal devotions and even for entertainment purposes. We had a lot of fun…maybe a little too much! Be sure to subscribe to their show: https://presbycast.libsyn.com/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/s_aOPPt1gc4
We begin our discussion with Brett McCracken’s recent article for TGC, Best Christian Music of 2022, and we have a few questions.
Is the music coming from an earnest desire to glorify Christ and an authentic, unapologetic love for God’s Word? Even if it’s not in the “worship genre” (whatever that is), does the music cultivate in listeners greater love for the Christian God? If yes, we can call it Christian music.
“I disagree with his definition of Christian Music, though I think it is a good attempt to capture and include what the majority of people would label Christian music. I think a better definition would be “songs that carefully consider Scripture and theology and apply these truths rightly to the world, to the people in the world, and especially to the Christian life”. This takes the focus off of “earnest desires” or misguided intentions and puts it on measurable objective content markers.
Most CCM would not fit that definition, but any song that does not do what my definition requires is actually a syncretistic work of paganism, so I stand by my definition.”
Bryan
We also discuss instrumentation in worship, especially considering the places like Psalm 150 where it says to praise God with the clashing cymbals. This also leads into a discussion of contemporaneity and what music is good to listen to or perform in worship to in the car. There is a good chunk of this subject that falls into Christian Liberty. In any case, we had a great time and hope to see you again soon!
Thanks for listeningThe Balm of Gilead podcast is a member of the Tech Reformation family of podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please share it with others. We enjoy hearing from you, so join us on our Discord and let us know what you’re thinking. If email is more your thing, write to us at thereis
Balm in Gilead host Bryan Emerson and his wife Renee Emerson discuss their Advent Playlist as well as their thoughts on Christmas/Seasonal Music.
Worth noting, we added an Advent Birmingham album after the recording.
Bryan got to hang out with Grant and we decided to turn on the camera and see what happens. Credits due to O Creative One by Providence, Eustace Scrubb by Sarah Sparks, Saints by Poor Bishop Hooper, and Behold the Man by Spencer Parsons. We also sang Psalm 42D from The Book of Psalms for Worship and How Firm a Foundation.
Watch this one on YouTube!
Thanks for listeningThe Balm of Gilead podcast is a member of the Tech Reformation family of podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please share it with others. We enjoy hearing from you, so join us on our Discord and let us know what you’re thinking. If email is more your thing, write to us at thereis
As we close out season 4 of the Balm in Gilead podcast, Bryan takes to the airwaves to discuss the phrase “Mistakes were made” and how it relates to the […]
Whenever FNH is on the show, he brings a wealth of interesting tangents and rabbit trails and Grant is only too happy to follow with Bryan close behind. Bryan is […]
Psalm Psalm 51 What We’re Listening To What are we listening to Spencer Psallos EDM Research Steven Curtis Chapman – The Great Adventure album Bryan Providence Grant Jenny Oaks Baker […]
We have a special guest this week to discuss Jars of Clay's first album that came out in 1995. We're nothing if not hip and with the trends. Enjoy this nostalgic look back at the Greatest Decade of Christian Music.
Bryan sits down with Jesse Roberts of Poor Bishop Hooper to finish the discussion on their first album, Foreign Made. Check out Poor Bishop Hooper’s website for more on their […]
This week, it is just Bryan and Grant in the studio again. (But prepare yourself for part 2!) We discuss one of Bryan's favorite albums to play, Foreign Made by Poor Bishop Hooper.
Bryan goes solo with both Grant and Justin out. This is our first video podcast too! Check it out on YouTube Thanks for listening The Balm of Gilead podcast is […]
Episode 47 bonus episode 3. It was getting late and the guys hopped from the serious to the banal with amazing alacrity.
FNH from the Not the Bee Social podcast joins us with Justin still out this week. Today, we wrap up our series on Mars Hill's music with The Sing Team and a couple other Brian Eichelberger pieces.
Psalm Psalm 45 Songs: Creation to Salvation by Drakeford Ghost Ship: The Good King Mediator – CAM HUXFORD IV Verse 1 He takes our place and stands in front of […]
The music of Mars Hill had some notable characters and groups that came out of it. In this episode, we discuss the band Citizens and take a look at the theology of some of their music.
This week we discuss what we've been listening to (does Grant not like a Newsboys song?) and we give a bit of a personal update and how some of the music of Mars Hill was helpful during this time.
Psalm 42 What We’ve Been Listening To Grant New Newsboys song Clean. Top artist: Crown & Covenant Others of note: Adam Young Titanic Ola W Jansson album All The Things […]
It's just Bryan and Grant this week as we talk about Craft in creating music. If you like music theory, we talk a bit about that. If not, don't worry, we mention a ton of awesome links to check out. Rate and review in your podcast app to build the listener community! And thanks for listening!
We welcome Henry Haffner to the virtual studio this week. We talk about uniqueness of place, beauty, craft, the Psalms, worship, ... really the whole gambit.
We interview Cody Curtis of the group Psallos. If you haven't listened to them already, go do that, they're great!
This week, we welcome Renee Emerson, poet and author to talk about poetry and beauty. We discuss how this connects into how a poet looks at the Psalms and what we can learn from them.
Please welcome Philip Moyer of My Soul Among Lions to this week's show! We had an Insightful discussion about the origins of the band and how they make music. Join the discussion at https://slack.techreformation.com
This week, we talk with Kyle Thompson of the Undaunted.Life podcast. Recently on episode 176 of his show he discussed 8 problems with contemporary worship music. Naturally, we had to investigate his perspective.
Bryan, Justin, and Grant continue the discussion on beauty, adding accessibility, memorability, and emotion to the mix. We also discuss Kevin Max leaving orthodoxy for something he calls the "universal christ" whatever that is.
This week, we continue our discussion of Beauty and Craft. Stay tuned as we have a giveaway this week!
The guys discuss excellence in music. This is a bit more subjective than what we've talked about before. We talk a bit more about the art of music and how that pursuit might operate in worship music.
Jon Foreman wrote a song based on Psalm 51 that is beautiful. The instrumentation is very somber, and while it has a lot of moving pieces, functions in a way […]
Quick, interesting discussion regarding similarities in deconstruction stories. And some podcast recommendations. Podcast Recos Restless The Alisa Childers Podcast Cooper Stuff
Psalm Psalm 32 Ice Breaker Review of Jon Foreman’s Departures album I would classify this album as a Type 2.5 album. Many of the songs are solidly Type 3, but […]
This week, we welcome special guest Justin Rea to the podcast. We discuss his music recos and play a fun game before settling into the main topic all about what's ahead on Season 3.
Stay tuned to the end for a song and a special announcement!
This week, we offer up a song versus song on paraphrases of Psalm 42-43, and, as it happens, Psalm 63. We are looking at Tomlin's Waterfall and The Sing Team's Satisfied in You
Another bonus segment from our discussion in episode 29. We start, but do not go to deep into instruments in worship. Allowed? Not? Things to think about.
Part 1 of some bonus content from our last show. Here, we go on a bit of a journey through discussing what we each think about how writers’ beliefs ought […]
Not everything fits in the main show. For those wanting a bit more discussion or following bunny trails, The Bonus Show is for you.
Why do we have music ministers, worship leaders, and song leaders? In this episode, Bryan and Grant discuss an idea Bryan has about where this might come from.
A warm welcome to special guest Poor Bishop Hooper! We discuss their recent and ongoing project EveryPsalm, touch on their song writing process, discuss the challenges and joys with the project, and much more.
Bryan and Grant finish off the Psalm model with Petition, Supplication, and Call to Action.
A short excursus on Billboard, and who is responsible for the state of Christian music.
The episode in which Bryan and Grant think through a few types of praise: adoration, blessing, and thanksgiving.
Hey! You found it! Here is the bonus episode of all the great conversation that didn’t make it into the original episode.
This week we welcome the inimitable Jim Briggs, one of the hosts of the popular Lightest Form of Flogging podcast to talk about how we have changed in our beliefs about worship over the years.
We continue our thoughts on the Psalm Model with the Praise type of Psalm. Bryan finds 11 aspects to a praise Psalm and Grant relies on Tremper Longman's take to break down the typical structure.
Go listen to episode 22 first! We are going to review 5 songs: a Psalm Model song and a Psalm Paraphrase song from “Lamentations” by Bifrost Arts, a Psalm Model song and a Psalm Paraphrase song from “Daughter Zion’s Woe” by Cardiphonia, and “Thy Will”, a Psalm Model song by Hilary Scott and the Scott Family Band.
Billboard has changed the Hot Christian Chart so that it begins with a #0 position as opposed to the traditional #1 position. This will open up the #1 position for future competitive songs while allowing the “You Say” phenomenon to stand firm.
Bryan and Grant dive into the Psalms known as "laments." What are they and why are they important?
Bryan and Grant finally get into the Psalm Model for writing worship music. But not before we play another round of everyone's favorite game!
The one where Bryan and Grant talk about politics. Really, it's not that bad! Oh, and we kick off season 2.
Mask-wearing in restaurants poses a difficult problem: how to eat and stay safe. This Arkansas restauranteur has an innovative solution.
The episode where Bryan and Grant compare Raise a Hallelujah and Tremble. We also tackle a listener question and talk about what (we think) is hot in Christian music.
Where we discuss singability and understandability; and congregational preferences in worship music.
On this episode of the Balm in Gilead podcast… Psalm 17 Follow-up A quick apology to one of our favorite listeners and another listener writes in to speak about the […]
An unlikely pairing occurred late last week after BLM activist Shaun King called for the removal of white Jesus stained glass and statues. As backlash rolled in from many evangelical […]
Psalm 16 Follow up A couple points of follow up. To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace […]
Grammy Award winning legend Sting announced Thursday that the Police would be reuniting for a benefit tour in many major U.S. cities. The announcement, however, was met with much more […]
We start out with a new segment before diving into discussing the news about the frontman for Hawk Nelson leaving his idea of Christianity and the Supreme Court’s recent decision […]
As the nation's economy began to reopen, and Chick-fil-A lobbies once again allowed guests to enter, people realized that something was different. The familiar instrumental tunes that guests had grown to love had been changed.
Psalm 14 But first Gilead Sciences – Open Letter from Chairman and CEO Daniel O’Day. The Meat of It A church pays money, called royalties, to a song’s writer(s) through […]
Recently, Christian worship music leader Jeremy Riddle posted: “I find myself increasingly troubled when I look at western Christian culture and see such a startling lack of representation or instruction […]
Psalm of the Week – Psalm 12 Intro Starting things off, we briefly discuss two fairly popular songs and ask some questions of the lyrics. Through Your Eyes You love […]
1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Your hosts discuss the second half of Type 2 songs (those that are fun to listen to and have Christian themes) that are too often thought of […]
This is part 1 of a two part study of 12 Type 1 songs (that is usually sung in worship) that really ought to be more Type 2 (that is […]
Psalm 10 This week, your hosts open by talking about the top 10 streamed Christian songs that Spotify put out a little bit ago. Then we dive into our main […]
Psalm 9 Songs, generally, should say the word “sin.” If it doesn’t it should at least talk about sin in Biblical terminology. If you don’t acknowledge sin, it leaves out […]
Bryan and Grant start by reviewing two collaborations that pair artists that are a bit off with those who are ? Nobody by Casting Crowns ft Matthew West Echo by […]
Intro KJV Song 5:4 and direct translation. Psalm 119:11 Deuteronomy 6:5 Mark 12:30 Worship is Holistic The Shema – Deuteronomy 6 The Greatest Commandment – Mark 12 The Woman at […]
Liturgy—your church has one whether you know about it or not. This week we discuss liturgy and how the Psalms specifically set up what your intrepid hosts believe to be […]
This week, Bryan shares the song he wrote Snow Fall Gentle after losing his daughter Kit to a congenital heart defect. Kathleen “Kit” Felicity EmersonMay 22, 2019 – November 9, […]
Psalm Reading: Psalm 5 The kids ruined my 2019 playlist, but here it is anyway. Our main topic is working through 5 (actually 6) categories of songs from the point […]
This week is a special episode not like our others. We take a moment to mourn the loss of Bryan’s daughter Kit. Links Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ChOLzfRuZcKRqXxYL3d9H
This is the Hard Love episode. We’re not fans, but we bring it up to show the difference between Christian music and Christian-sounding music. Send your Love/Hate mail to thereis […]
In our never-ending quest to be relevant, we present to you another bonus episode. Join us on Slack! – http://slack.techreformation.com Grace Gracefully Graces Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cst1YYQZwsM
This week on Balm in Gilead:Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength; Spirit and Truth; A Living Sacrifice. What makes up a good worship song? What characteristics might you look for? Bryan and […]
This is our off week, but we had so much to say, we cut a bonus episode all about some old news that was newer when we recorded. So here […]
Psalm 2 This week, Bryan and Grant discuss the foundational roots from which they assess worship songs. This includes a brief discussion of the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW) cf. […]
Introducing the Balm in Gilead podcast Hello, this is Bryan and Grant and together we make up the Balm in Gilead podcast. In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, tell […]