It’s becoming almost a tradition that when I need to talk about something really difficult, I invite David Gate on the Podcast. David is a former worship leader, recording artist turned author who has a keen eye about what is happening in the world. And he’s not afraid to tell it like it is. David wrote an article recently called “The Soundtrack For American Fascism is Worship Music” – I know, pretty intense. But also not entirely hard to believe, if you’re paying attention.
In this conversation we talk about it – how worship music can be co-opted to serve anti-Christian political agendas. How easy it is for our Christianity to become enmeshed with our politics to the point where we can’t tell where one begins and the other ends. We look historically at how Hitler co-opted the music of Wagner to serve his political aims. How worship music can be manipulative in healthy and unhealthy ways. We talk about choosing songs and what to do if you’re tired of mainstream, popular worship music. The conversation ends with some music recommendations and thoughts on David’s creative process.
This is a difficult chat, but a great one. You’ll be uncomfortable frequently. You may disagree some. But I guarantee it will challenge your thinking and improve your ministry life if you allow it.
This is David Santistevan. You can email me any time at David@beyondsundayworship.com. As always, thanks for listening.
Topics Covered:
- When David first noticed the politicization of American worship music
- What David liked and disliked about the worship industry, as an insider
- The musician similarities and differences between worship music and Wagner
- How Hitler co-opted Wagner to serve his political agenda
- Why it’s not crazy to consider how worship music can serve authoritarian regimes
- Paying attention to how worship music can manipulate a room
- The difference between empathy and worship
- Healthy and unhealthy triumphalism in church
- Debrief of the Charlie Kirk memorial and what we can learn from it
- Pro football/College football and racism
- What to do if you can’t stomach singing popular worship music in church
- A true definition of Christian persecution
Resources Mentioned:
- Show Sponsor: Planning Center
- David Gate
- The Soundtrack For American Fascism is Worship Music by David Gate
- A Rebellion of Care: Poems & Essays by David Gate
- Nested in Tangles by Hannah Frances
- Baby by Dijon
Show Sponsor:
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