If you read my blog, follow me on twitter or Facebook, you would know that I have been slowly working my way through a great book, Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper. Last night I had the privilege to sit next to my wife, brew up a great cup of coffee, and read another chapter in this book. 

For years I have been trying to figure out answers to the following questions: Rhythms

• Why do we sing?
• What should we sing about?
• Is singing simply just me and Jesus? If not, what is it?
• Why doesn't the church like to sing, even though they may like the song?

After reading a section from "Sing, Sing, Sing", which is chapter seven in Cosper's book, I found two of my answers! The reason for me sharing is that I feel that the church is under educated in why we sing and what the implications of our "not singing". 

Here is what Cosper had to say: 

Why do we Sing

[1] So we have these lights to cast onto our singing: First and foremost, our singing should flow naturally from hearts that are grateful for the peace and reconciliation purchased for us in the gospel (Col. 3: 11– 15). Second, singing is a means God has chosen to allow the Word of Christ to dwell richly in us (v. 16). Third, we have a multitude of commands in the Scriptures to sing. Fourth, we have the examples of Israel, saints throughout church history, God the Father, and Jesus, our singing Savior. 8 Taken together, it’s a compelling case that singing is a vital part of the Christian life. With these before us, how can we justify entering a place of worship and letting out lackluster, under-our-breath singing? How can we justify a refusal to participate because “we don’t like the songs”? The Bible doesn’t call us to sing any less than it calls us to pray or read the Scriptures— and there’s no escape clause if we don’t like country music. Singing is a rich part of living out our faith, one of the means God has given us to experience the richness of his Word. 

[1] Cosper, Mike (2013-03-31). Rhythms of Grace: How the Church's Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel (Kindle Location 2520). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

 

You can purchase his book here or you may get a jump start on my next book, Doxology and Theology.