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Under Development — For Demonstration

Theological Red Flags

Not all worship songs are created equal. Some contain subtle (or not so subtle) theological errors that can shape how congregations understand God, salvation, and the Christian life. Learn to identify these common red flags.

Why This Matters

"What we sing, we believe." The songs we use in worship shape our theology, often unconsciously. A congregation that regularly sings man-centered, theologically vague, or doctrinally erroneous songs will gradually absorb these ideas as normal Christianity.

The red flags below represent categories of theological errors commonly found in worship music. Not every song with one of these elements is necessarily bad—context matters. But these patterns should prompt careful evaluation.

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Modalism

Severe

Confusing or denying the distinct persons of the Trinity

Watch for phrases like:

  • "Jesus is the Father"
  • "One person three masks"
🚩

Prosperity Gospel

Severe

Lyrics promising health, wealth, or material blessing as a guarantee of faith

Watch for phrases like:

  • "I am blessed"
  • "Name it and claim it"
  • "Favor and blessing"
🚩

Word of Faith

Severe

Speaking things into existence, declaring reality through words

Watch for phrases like:

  • "I declare"
  • "Speak it into being"
  • "Words have power to create"
🚩

Man-Centered

Moderate

Focus on human feelings, desires, or experience rather than God's glory

Watch for phrases like:

  • "All about me"
  • "My experience"
  • "How I feel"
🚩

Pelagianism

Moderate

Suggesting human ability to earn salvation or please God without grace

Watch for phrases like:

  • "I will try harder"
  • "Make myself worthy"
  • "Earn His love"
🚩

Vague Theism

Moderate

Generic "god" language without reference to the Triune God of Scripture

Watch for phrases like:

  • "Higher power"
  • "Universe"
  • "Force"
🚩

Emotionalism

Minor

Prioritizing feeling over truth, manipulation through music without content

Watch for phrases like:

  • "Just feel His presence"
  • "Experience"
  • "Atmosphere"

A Biblical Foundation

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." — Colossians 3:16

Notice that Paul connects singing with teaching and admonishing. Our songs are not mere emotional expression—they are vehicles of doctrine. Therefore, we must be as careful with the theology in our hymns as we are with the theology in our sermons.

Find Doctrinally Sound Songs

Browse our database of theologically analyzed worship songs. Each song is reviewed for doctrinal accuracy by trained theologians.

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