Worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman has renewed his long-running call for closer collaboration between worship leaders and theologians, arguing that congregational songs too often prioritise musical appeal over biblical accuracy about the character of God. Writing in Christianity Today, Redman draws on Paul's encounter with the altar "to an unknown god" in Acts 17 to illustrate the risk of worship that moves people emotionally without grounding them in who God actually is.
Redman, best known for songs including "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" and "Blessed Be Your Name," has spent two decades pressing this concern. Roughly twenty years ago he surveyed pastors and theologians about which biblical themes were most often missing from worship music, and found recurring gaps around God as creator, judge, and Trinity. His essay questions how much progress has actually been made since. He points in particular to an imbalance in contemporary worship toward God's helpfulness — as shepherd, comforter, and rescuer — at the expense of his holiness, majesty, and righteousness, and calls for the kind of equilibrium found across the Psalms.
As models of theologically dense songwriting, Redman cites Hillsong's "King of Kings," which touches on 15 of the 25 themes found in the Apostles' Creed, and Phil Wickham's "Living Hope," which covers 11. He addresses three groups directly: worship leaders, whom he urges to apply a theological filter beyond what simply "works" musically; pastors, whom he calls to act as gatekeepers who flag weak theology and ask for stronger songwriting; and songwriters, whom he encourages to actively seek out theological partnership and training. Redman has founded WOR/TH (worship + theology), a seminar series aimed at equipping songwriters and musicians with stronger theological grounding, as one practical response to the gap he describes.
The essay has also found an audience closer to home. Suvi Kankkunen, a member of the leadership team for the Finnish Evangelical Free Church's (SVK) mission service, shared Redman's piece on social media on 24 July 2026, writing that congregations need real collaboration between musicians and other church workers in leading worship life — because lyrics carry genuine weight, and not every song is theologically equal. Calling it "such an important word" from Redman, she highlighted his line: "Not every song needs to have the lyrical punch of ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’—but if too many of our songs are falling so far below the standard required, then please help us to realize that, and to grow. You might not need to give us too much musical advice—but please don’t give us the sole responsibility for all our sung theology."
Source: Christianity Today (Matt Redman) — christianitytoday.com
