On May 14th 2022, the Wretched Radio YouTube channel uploaded a video entitled "This Might Change Your Mind About Metal Music | WRETCHED". In only 2 and a half minutes, Friel attempts to open his audience's mind on the topic of metal music. Now, to be as charitable as possible to Friel (which is actually very easy, he's a highly respectable preacher, and if you don't like him, I'm not sharing my jelly beans with you), he doesn't actually tell you the conclusion he wants you to draw. Nevertheless, little context clues do give us a picture.
Friel begins with the obvious: If your metal music is theologically wrong, get rid of it. I would hope this is easy to agree with. Can we not just take this for granted? His second point, however, is, in his words, "a little bit trickier". Friel suggests that music must also rightly represent the character and the nature of God. He goes on to talk about movie soundtracks, and how the music sets the tone and mood of a given scene. The conclusion he draws from this? "Music speaks, and when we put together music with lyrics and we call it Christian, it must rightly speak about God with the lyrics that we communicate and with the music bed that it sits on." Thus, he asks what music sounds like, comparing the difference between a horrendous noise he makes and a harp, organ, or various guitars?
To his credit, he actually does not seem to make any solid statements here. In fact, he explicitly puts the decision back in your court. This is not a doctrine he is forming, or a rule he is presenting. He wants you to decide for yourself, but asks, do the form and function of metal music accurately represent God?
One thing I have in common with Todd here is my belief that music should accurately represent God. But I have never truly believed type of music can do so. I believe one's musical preferences should be as personal as the worship of the individual. I don't think we should be expecting Grandma to belt out 3 Skillet songs in a single service, but I don't think she should expect you to delete their albums from your phone either. Real worship, in my eyes, is unrestricted in any extra-biblical way, at least when you're on your own or with friends with similar tastes.
I disagree, however, that "music speaks". If it could, we could as easily discern the difference between instrumental pieces as clear lyrics. But let's suppose I presented to you the tune of an unfamiliar hymn with, for example, Trevor Morris' "Reflections on a Hero". Would you have any degree of confidence telling me "this one is the Christian hymn"? What if we expanded this further, playing tune after tune, and asking you "which one has Christian lyrics"? I'm sure the more songs added, the closer you would get to 50% wrong.
Furthermore, music does not set the mood, but follow it. The harp Friel mentioned is especially ambiguous. You might think it appropriate for Church, as indeed I believe it is, but without going into detail, it did not seem out of place in some of my old sins. And if we're going to talk about movies, consider "pop goes the weasel". How did this silly children's nursery rhyme become so notorious for demon possession vibes? Not because there's anything particularly creepy about the song. Indeed, I contend the opposite is true; because it is so innocent, it becomes all the more terrifying when it's used in creepy contexts.
So does music speak? I would say certainly not. But it does indeed have the power to complement, and in some cases alter our mood. So, the first thing I would point out is that God is not a one dimensional being. He has a range of attributes, and is actually far deeper than we are. If we can feel something, He can feel it deeper. One could even say God can be tempted, though not to sin; He can indeed be tempted to execute swift judgement (Deuteronomy 6:16).
Because God is not a one dimensional being, perhaps we should not worship Him with one dimensional music. Certainly, metal music does have a particular sound. Does God have power? Certainly. This is one of the things I so love about thunderstorms. If lightning strikes the earth 8 million times a day, how powerful must its Creator be? The thunderous voice of the Lord was so great, it brought Job to repentance (Job 40:9). So why should we not praise Him with music that actually is not even as loud or powerful as the aforementioned thunder?
What's more is that not only does God have power, He shares that power with us. Whether in times of personal need, or outreach to the world, God calls us to be strong and brave. So why shouldn't we have songs about spiritual warfare that sound like we are actually waging war against the powers of sin and darkness? Why shouldn't we listen to songs like "No Rival" by Wolves at the Gate, which talk about "fighting the good fight", knowing the Christian life will be hard but worth it? Heck, since we will inevitably do things other than direct worship in our lives, such as working out, is it so bad to have a metal backing track? I'd certainly rather listen to Skillet in those times than any hymn.
And that is rather the point. Context matters. That's why I think a worship service should include theologically sound hymns that can actually be sung by the majority of the congregation. But here's where Todd has changed my mind. In the past, I have believed that lyrical content is the only factor with moral implications. Music does not speak, but does it represent God accurately? Now that Friel brings it up, I'm beginning to think that, when it comes to traditional hymns, the answer is maybe no.
See, some hymns, particularly older ones, are so unbelievably dull that I personally only sing them because sitting down in silence for the duration would be irreverent. These are, after all, theologically accurate hymns written by presumably faithful brethren, and have been selected by a well-meaning worship leader for purposes of communal worship. But if I do not believe God is a one dimensional being, why would I be singing one dimensional songs to Him? You won't see this kind of music in a movie. Or maybe you will. It's not uncommon for secular entertainment to mock Christianity. Would they use a realistic picture of a dynamic worship service, or the typical, boring, "nobody really wants to be here" kind of stereotype?
And so my mind has indeed been changed. Maybe it isn't a matter of personal preference. Maybe there genuinely are some kinds of music that, in spite of theological accuracy, are maybe not appropriate for worship. But given the form and function of most Christian metal songs, I think it is more often old hymns that fit this category, as even the musical technology of the day allowed for far greater music. I have now been firmly convinced that dynamic, powerful music, such as the rock and metal genres, are far superior to many traditional hymns. But as Friel did, I will send this ball back to your court.