worship songs

God and Heavy Metal…

Worship is one of the topics on GOD TV’s popular series, Questioning Christianity. In this episode (above) hosted by Kris Kandiah the panel discusses the true meaning of worship and uncovers whether we could indeed encounter God listening to heavy metal?

The panel, which includes Andy Flanagan; Tiffany Buhler; Debbie Harvie; and Scott Mcnamara, takes a look at the true meaning of worship. Is it just singing a few songs on a Sunday or at a festival and then going home as normal?

Krish opens up the discussion by asking “Worship, what counts?” We’ve all wondered if what we do to worship the Lord is really considered worship? Perhaps you can’t relate to the music? Everyone else around you is singing but you’re not feeling it?

What does worship really mean?

Debbie Harvie says it’s a heart issue, she’s right, it’s a personal expression of you, there’s no right way to do it. God isn’t judging us from our outward expression, He looks at the heart. It’s out of that intimacy with Him that motivates us to go out into the world and do what He has called us to do.

Worship isn’t just about singing songs, our bodies are a living temple of God, what we do in everyday life becomes an expression of that worship. When we spend time worshipping the Lord – be it alone as Scott Macnamara finds easier – or corporately as Tiffany Buehler orchestrates with ‘David’s Tent’ – we build on our relationship with God. And, it’s out of that intimacy with the Lord that we automatically want to please him by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter for the homeless, looking after widows and orphans. ( Isaiah 58:6-12)

Andy Flannagan points out that the root word for worship is, in fact, WORTHship, if you find something worth it, you do things to express that, such as spend time with them. Worship is different for everyone, we all have our own styles of worship. Maintaining your indigenous or cultural way of worshipping God is important, so if heavy metal is your thing and you have intimacy with the Lord through it, then keep at it.

This article was written by UK author and speaker, Deborah Armin who is a graduate of the London School of Theology. Her book On My Way Home is published by Authentic Media. Deborah is also a staff writer for GODTV.com.