Theology of Music

In this podcast episode, Pastor Joel takes a look at one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time, "Oh Holy Night" written by Adolphe Adam in 1847, and talks about how today's weary world could use the thrill of hope that comes from Christ.

Merry Christmas!! In this episode, Pastor Joel starts to look at Christmas songs and begins with "Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel" by Matt Boswell / Matt Papa / Keith & Kristyn Getty, from the album Sing! An Irish Christmas. 

In this episode, Pastor Joel looks at one of his favorite songs (per a listener request) by CityAlight called "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me."

In this episode, Pastor Joel takes a look back at the second song he ever reviewed and the GMA Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year for 2019, "Way Maker", to determine whether his initial take was correct. "Way Maker" was written by Osinachi Okoro.

In this episode, Pastor Joel takes a look back at the first song he ever reviewed, "The Blessing", and determines whether his initial take was correct. "The Blessing" was written by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick, and Chris Brown and was released early this year. Podcast Outro: Arrangement of "There Is A Fountain" used with permission by Ryan Foglesong & B...

In this special episode, Pastor Joel sits down with Vince Wright, the founder and sole editor at TheBereanTest.com,  to take a look at the popular song by Hillsong Young & Free "Lord Send Revival." The song was released early this year and was written by Matthew Philip Crocker / Aodhan Thomas King / Benjamin Tan. You can find more reviews from Vince at www.thebereantest.com or follow...

In this episode, Pastor Joel compares the old Hymn "I Saw The Light" by Hank Williams Jr. (1947) with a very popular worship song "Glorious Day" by Passion (2017). Lyrics for "I Saw The Light": https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5742182/Hank+Williams/I+Saw+the+Light Lyrics for "Glorious Day": https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/37190195/Passion/Glorious+Day Podcast Outro...

In this episode, Pastor Joel discusses the (currently) 8th most popular worship song and winner of a 2018 Dove Award,  "Who You Say I Am" by Hillsong Worship and written by  Ben Fielding / Reuben Morgan. Podcast Outro: Arrangement of "There Is A Fountain" used with permission by Ryan Foglesong & Brian Steckler of ENFIELD

In this special episode. Pastor Joel sits down with his friend, Pastor Jeremy, and discusses why he has re-thought his criteria and what it is going forward. Podcast Outro: Arrangement of "There Is A Fountain" used with permission by Ryan Foglesong & Brian Steckler of ENFIELD

In this episode, Pastor Joel talks about the (currently) 3rd most popular worship song, "Raise A Hallelujah" written by Jonathan David Helser / Melissa Helser / Molly Skaggs / Jake Stevens. Verse I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me...

In this episode, Pastor Joel and his friend Christopher Lord unpack the popular modern hymn, "In Christ Alone" written by Keith Getty / Stuart Townend. Lyrics: Verse 1: In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid Ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, wh...

In this episode, Pastor Joel discusses the 5th most popular worship song right now, "Goodness of God' by Bethel Music and written by Jason Ingram / Brian Johnson / Ed Cash / Ben Fielding / Jenn Johnson. Verse 1: I love You, Lord For Your mercy never failed me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness...

In this episode, Pastor Joel unpacks the popular song, "Build My Life" by Housefires and written by Pat Barrett, Matt Redman, Brett Younker, Kirby Kaple, and Karl Martin. Verse 1 Worthy of every song we could ever sing Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You Verse 2 Jesus, the Name above every other name Jesus, the only On...

In this episode, Pastor Joel takes a look at the idea that God wipes away our past shown in the song "To The One" by UPPERROOM and written by Meredith Mauldin , Oscar Gamboa & Beau Maddox .  [Verse 1] It's the mystery Of this hope in me How You hold the stars Yet You hold my heart [Verse 2] One who's first and last Wiped away my past Perfect royalty Made His home in me [Cho...

In this episode, Pastor Joel compares the popular song "Great Are You Lord" by All Sons & Daughters with the Hymn, "How Great Thou Art" by Stuart Keene Hine. Lyrics for "Great Are You Lord": https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/allsonsdaughters/greatareyoulord.html Lyrics for "How Great Thou Art": https://hymnary.org/text/o_lord_my_god_when_i_in_awesome_wonde...

In this episode, Pastor Joel discusses the song, "Jesus, There's No One Like You" with Bob Kauflin- a Pastor at Sovereign Grace Church in Louisville, KY, and author of Worship Matters (published 2008 by Crossway ) and True Worshipers (published 2015 by Crossway ). (Pastor Joel butchers the intro for Bob if you want a laugh). VERSE 1 There is no song we could sing To honor the weight...

In this episode, Pastor Joel discusses the popular hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" which was written by Thomas O. Chisholm. Joel also talks about the 2 verses that were added by John Piper.  Verse 1 Great is Thy faithfulness O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not Thy compassions they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever will be Chorus 1 Great is Th...

In this podcast, Pastor Joel and Cliff Lambert compare and contrast the two songs "There is a Fountain" by William Cowper and "Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb" by People and Songs. There is a Fountain There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel’s veins, And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all t...

In this episode, Pastor Joel and his friend/partner in The Grace Collective, Matthew Carpenter, discuss the song "There is Peace" off of their second album, which released a few weeks ago! Verse 1 When we’ve chosen pleasures of our sin; When we’re plagued with doubts and guilt within Does Your wrath still remain? Will You cleanse our every stain? Cast us not from You! Verse 2  When our r...

In this episode, Pastor Joel unpacks the song "Jesus At the Center" by Israel & New Breed and was released in 2012.  [Verse 1] Jesus at the center of it all Jesus at the center of it all From beginning to the end It will always be, it's always been You, Jesus Jesus [Chorus 1] Nothing else matters, nothing in this world will do Jesus, You're the center, and everything revolv...

In this episode, Pastor Joel and Cliff Lambert discuss the treasured hymn, "Be Thou My Vision" written by Mary E. Byrne and Eleanor H. Hull . Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord T...

This episode is part 2 of episode on "What A Beautiful Name" written by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood from Hillsong Worship. Join Pastor Joel and Pastor Nathan Dodd (from Liberty Baptist) as they finish their discussion. Verse 1: You were the Word at the beginning One with God the Lord Most High Your hidden glory in creation Now revealed in You our Christ Chorus: What a beautiful Na...

In this episode, Pastor Joel and Pastor Nathan Dodd (from Liberty Baptist) talk about the song "What A Beautiful Name" written by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood from Hillsong Worship. Verse 1: You were the Word at the beginning One with God the Lord Most High Your hidden glory in creation Now revealed in You our Christ Chorus: What a beautiful Name it is What a beautiful Name it is T...

In this episode, Pastor Joel and Cliff talk about the song "Yes I Will" written by Eddie Hoagland, Jonathan Smith, and Mia Fieldes and released by Vertical Worship. Verse I count on one thing The same God that never fails Will not fail me now You won't fail me now In the waiting The same God who's never late Is working all things out You're working all things out Chorus Ye...

In this special episode, Pastor Joel discusses the importance of considering the source- that we take into account "who" are the people and churches that are writing the songs we sing on Sunday but doing so with balance and understanding.