For the last few decades, the church (and the world) have been bombarded by worship songs that have heavily distorted and minimized the biblical love that a Christian is to express towards God. This is due in large part to the lack of sound biblical teaching within the church at large. So, allow me to bring some biblical clarity.
The word “love” is a flexible term in the English language. It has several different meanings in our culture, but there are four unique words in ancient Greek that describe the range of meaning the English word love conveys.
The four biblical Greek words for LOVE and their meanings.
Eros: Eros is the word often used to express sexual love or the feelings of arousal that are shared between people who are physically attracted to one another.
Storge: Storge refers to natural, familial love. Storge refers to the type of love shown by a parent for a child.
Agape: Agape is defined as an unconditional, self-sacrificing love. It is the love that focuses on the will of God, not the emotions, experiences, or libido. It is the love God shows his people in sending his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. For God is AGAPE, therefore, AGAPE comes from God. A Christian’s AGAPE towards God is one of complete reverence, deep awe, and total captivation of who God is and what He has done, by the fact that a Holy God would AGAPE rebel sinners like us.
Phileo: Phileo refers to brotherly love and is most often exhibited in a close friendship.
Let’s start with the orgins of Eros. Eros, comes from the mythological Greek god, Eros who was the god of love, sexual desire, and physical love. The Romans called him Cupid and he was thought to be the son of Aphrodite. By New Testament times, this word had become so debased by the culture, it would not be ascribed to Almighty God. This Greek term for erotic love is portrayed in the Old Testament book, the Song of Solomon.
Is Eros really the type of love we are to address God with???
Next, we have Phileo. In John 21:15-19, we have a recorded conversation between Jesus and Peter. Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” The first two replies from Peter were, “Lord, you know I Phileo you.” Yet, Jesus wasn’t asking Peter if he was is friend, So Jesus repeats the question again and finally Peter said, “Lord, you know everything, you know I AGAPE you.” Finally, Peter got it right. This passage is in the scriptures to teach all who claim to follow Jesus that a Phileo expression of love towards Christ is not enough, nor what He requires of His followers. But, Jesus demands that we love Him with AGAPE love.
Lastly, we look at Agape love is
quite different. It is NOT based on feelings or emotions. Agape is a sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers
inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another (God), without
expecting anything in return.
The Greek word agape is often translated “love” in the New Testament. How is “agape love” different from other types of love? The essence of agape love is goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of the one loved (God). Unlike our English word love, agape is not used in the New Testament to refer to romantic or sexual love (Eros). Nor does it refer to close friendship or brotherly love (Phileo). But, Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and reverence towards God.
Agape alone is the Biblical mandate and the correct expression of love that ALL believers are to approach Almighty God with.
Below, I have listed forty modern worship song titles, as well forty classic hymn title. I believe you will see my point.
MODERN WORSHIP SONG TITLES
- CHURCH ON FIRE
- Friends in high places
- Get up & dance
- Give it up
- Glow
- God is in the house
- Godly vibe
- Gonna be alright
- Gotta get more
- Power to Ya
- Jump to the jam
- In the gap
- Nova
- The real thing
- Send it on down
- Serve the Man
- Made me glad
- I’m really happy
- My best friend
- Jesus is my super hero
- Deeply in love
- God’s romance
- Falling into you
- Always forever
- Face to face
- Heartbeats
- I can feel love
- I found love
- I just love you so much
- I love you
- Love on the line
- Love is war
- Love you so much
- Oh, how I love you
- Keep falling in love
- Longing for your touch
- Now that your near
- Reckless love (Written of God’s love for His people, but, reckless means: careless, thoughtless, mindless, irresponsible, misguided, or unwise. Now does this sound like God’s agape love to you?)
- Super strong God
- We are young & free
CLASSIC HYNM TITLES
- HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
- BE THOU MY VISION
- BE STILL MY SOUL
- THE LORN IS MY SHEPHERD
- ETERNAL FATHER STRONG TO SAVE
- TO GOD BE THE GLORY
- LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE
- HALILUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR
- JESUS PAID IT ALL
- ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME
- CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
- JESUS, HOLY UNDEFILED
- LIGHT OF THE WORLD, WE HAIL THEE
- O GOD OF TRUTH
- ARISE, SONS OF THE KINGDOM
- HIGH WORD OF GOD
- HONOR AND GLORY
- FOR THY MERY AND THY GRACE
- GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
- GREAT GOD, WE SING YOUR MIGHTY HAND
- BY PRECEPTS TAUGHT OF AGES PAST
- FATHER, WHOSE LOVE WE HAVE WRONGED
- RIGHTEOUD FATHER, WE HAVE WRONGED THEE
- OH THOU WHO DOST TO MAN ACCORD
- WHEN OVER MY SINS I SORROW
- SEE THE CONQUEROR MOUNTS IN TRIUMPH
- OH KING ENTHRONED ON HIGH
- BLESSED ARE THE SONS OF GOD
- KING OF SAINTS
- OH GOD, GREAT FATHER, LORD AND KING
- OH LORD, WHILE WE CONFESS THY WORTH
- ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIER
- STAND, SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
- HOW GREAT THOU ART
- GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
- PRAISE THE LORD THEE ALMIGHTY
- A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
- IN CHRIST ALONE
- HAVE THINE OWN WAT LORD
- LORD, BE GLORIFIED
I trust that you can clearly see that our modern song writer’s (Hillsong, Bethel, & Passion) have addressed God with Eros and Phileo, not Agape love in these songs. And how could they not? They come from false churches that preach a false Christ and false gospel. Know this church, Jesus is NOT your lover or your homeboy, He is the holy Son of God.
Brothers and sisters, be on guard, for it is through worship music that Satan is corrupting the church. And pray that God would move in power and reveal Himself and the truth to His people.