The Worship Review

Stephen is a former worship leader from Billings, Montana in the United States. He is co-host of the Ravel and Know Normal People podcasts, as well as being founder and CEO of the Highline Media Network. We have a wide ranging discussion about the church, Christian music and Stephen's own story as a church musician and worship leader.

David from the Goldsmith Odyssey is back to help Colin and Tyler in their review of Jireh by Elevation Worship and Maverick City, feat. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine.

This week, we tackle some challenging issues with our guest David from The Goldsmith Odyssey podcast. David is an independent filmmaker, writer, and Christian thinker. Together we discuss the significance of truth in worship, the formulaic nature of much modern worship music, the interaction of popular culture and Christian faith, the experiencing of art on its own terms, and music as a delivery mechanism for ideas.

Tyler and Colin reflect on series four and some of the issues which arose over the past six months. We discuss the problem of vagueness in worship music, the pursuit of mystery and changes in our ratings of songs.

Tyler and Colin reflect on series four and some of the issues which arose over the past six months. We talk about the terms "worship leader" and "evangelical," the stating of doing things without the doing of the things stated, and discuss listener feedback.

This is the big one. Colin and Tyler take on the popular song "Oceans" by Hillsong line by line, evaluating how it compares with Scripture.

Lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw

Song story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zlbunWsV5A&t=52s

Drum solo discussed at end of podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xY-Lx8_fN0

You call me out upon the waters

I will call upon Your Name

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

This song is something of a staple in every worship leader's toolkit. But what exactly is it about? This week, we take a deep dive into Paul Baloche's "Open The Eyes of My Heart", a song which transforms Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church into a direct petition to God by the believer. We talk about this passage, the description of God's perfect holiness, and the various senses in which Christ Jesus is high and lifted up.  Perhaps you've come to this song through Baloche or heard one of the many covers by Michael W. Smith or Phillips, Craig & Dean or Randy Travis. Whatever your path to this tune, we hope you will enjoy our careful discussion of its lyrics.

Story behind the song: http://www.praisecharts.com/blog/story-behind-open-the-eyes-of-my-heart/

Lyrics:

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

To see you high and lifted up

Shining in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

I want to see You

Well, Wickham did not promise 10,000 Great Things, so he's ahead of the eight ball. But should a song claim "You free every captive and break every chain"? Colin and Tyler discuss the pros and cons of Phil Wickham's "Great Things".

What happens when an ancient priestly blessing is set to contemporary Christian worship music? And what does it mean for the congregation to take part in the utterance of a blessing? Tune in to hear this week's discussion!

The Lord bless you

What happens when John 3:16 gets set to music? Colin and Tyler discuss the heterodox view annihilationism as well as the challenging topic of singing about addictions in this weeks review of "God So Loved" by We The Kingdom.