Modern worship music didn’t start Christian Nationalism—but it gave it a soundtrack. This post explores how emotionally charged praise culture shaped a generation to crave power instead of presence—and what we lost in the noise. Spoiler: the Kingdom doesn’t need a kick drum.
I hope you’ll read Rick Pidcock’s upcoming book, Worship Warfare, when it comes out in 2026. He’ll be unpacking these insights further more. Thanks for providing Cynthia’s chanting videos. It reminds me a bit of Taizé.
Wow, thank you for that heads up. Strange synchronicity. I just noticed the connection today. I've followed Rick on substack and sent him a message. I will definitely get the book and work hard to get the word out.
I was in a Luthern school for several years (though I was not Luthern - and they were swift to point that out). I remember being in church singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and I thought it was a bit creepy. Very Crusade like.
Raised Lutheran & never ever understood “onward Christian soldiers” - couldn’t see Jesus marching on to war with his cross. More than a bit creepy to me
What gorgeous chanting, in both videos, but the first one where she was singing about the heart, my heart
& thought maybe i should cancel my pacemaker appt tomorrow & just start chanting! I was just on my way to sit at my mesa to pray/meditate & be with my heart the way it is & has been my whole life up till recently & just thank it bless it love on it as it is one more time before it gets by with a little help from electricity…..
Moved me to tears which is always helpful before a day at the hospital. What perfect timing. Itz happening so often more & more - just what i need showing up just when I need it. That completely filled up tonite’s gratitude list already. Glad you didn’t just stop with the Christian Nationalism Music Blech 🤢
Thank you for the videos of Cynthia & her peaceful chanting. It’s very much like the old familiar church hymns, sung by a small congregation with a piano accompaniment. These are usually gentle & simple, like Cynthia’s chants; only hers are improv, whereas the church hymns are so familiar, some in the congregation even know their page numbers: Be Thou My Vision is 562, Here I Am Lord (a real tear-jerker for me) is 589. I really don’t like the Christian radio station music — way too perky & schmarmy — so much like Nazi music was for the Hitler supporters. It made them feel so powerful, so patriotic!
The power that resides in music is the power that resides in all of us. Music speaks to our soul. We should all start asking what exactly is it speaking to…
One of the last times I attended a church service the volume of the sound system was so loud I could only hear the worship team, no church members at all. I personally found myself feeling agitated and thought 'if this is supposed to prepare me for the message coming, it wasn't working'. I left feeling irritable and went home to my own quiet presence where Spirit was able to sit with me. It was a very special meditation that day.
I used to run sound for church. They'd save the most anthemic (Coldplay-ish / U2-ish) song for last. I noticed that more people "really felt the Spirit" there at the end when I slowly but steadily slid up the volume faders.
I'll have to listen to the chanting videos later today since I'm at work, but still, thank you for this post. Paying more attention to the worship music I choose to listen to lately.
I hope you’ll read Rick Pidcock’s upcoming book, Worship Warfare, when it comes out in 2026. He’ll be unpacking these insights further more. Thanks for providing Cynthia’s chanting videos. It reminds me a bit of Taizé.
Wow, thank you for that heads up. Strange synchronicity. I just noticed the connection today. I've followed Rick on substack and sent him a message. I will definitely get the book and work hard to get the word out.
I was in a Luthern school for several years (though I was not Luthern - and they were swift to point that out). I remember being in church singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and I thought it was a bit creepy. Very Crusade like.
I think your inside is very true...
Raised Lutheran & never ever understood “onward Christian soldiers” - couldn’t see Jesus marching on to war with his cross. More than a bit creepy to me
My church quietly dropped that one a couple of decades ago. I guess somebody finally paid attention to the words!
I'm an Episcopalian. We don't tend to militancy, at least not these days.
What gorgeous chanting, in both videos, but the first one where she was singing about the heart, my heart
& thought maybe i should cancel my pacemaker appt tomorrow & just start chanting! I was just on my way to sit at my mesa to pray/meditate & be with my heart the way it is & has been my whole life up till recently & just thank it bless it love on it as it is one more time before it gets by with a little help from electricity…..
Moved me to tears which is always helpful before a day at the hospital. What perfect timing. Itz happening so often more & more - just what i need showing up just when I need it. That completely filled up tonite’s gratitude list already. Glad you didn’t just stop with the Christian Nationalism Music Blech 🤢
Thank you for the videos of Cynthia & her peaceful chanting. It’s very much like the old familiar church hymns, sung by a small congregation with a piano accompaniment. These are usually gentle & simple, like Cynthia’s chants; only hers are improv, whereas the church hymns are so familiar, some in the congregation even know their page numbers: Be Thou My Vision is 562, Here I Am Lord (a real tear-jerker for me) is 589. I really don’t like the Christian radio station music — way too perky & schmarmy — so much like Nazi music was for the Hitler supporters. It made them feel so powerful, so patriotic!
The power that resides in music is the power that resides in all of us. Music speaks to our soul. We should all start asking what exactly is it speaking to…
Another wonderful article, thank you!
Thank you for listening so deeply, Jennifer.
One of the last times I attended a church service the volume of the sound system was so loud I could only hear the worship team, no church members at all. I personally found myself feeling agitated and thought 'if this is supposed to prepare me for the message coming, it wasn't working'. I left feeling irritable and went home to my own quiet presence where Spirit was able to sit with me. It was a very special meditation that day.
Thank you for naming what I’ve been wrestling with for so long.
I used to run sound for church. They'd save the most anthemic (Coldplay-ish / U2-ish) song for last. I noticed that more people "really felt the Spirit" there at the end when I slowly but steadily slid up the volume faders.
Another amazing piece, VMB! Spot on. Ty!!
I'll have to listen to the chanting videos later today since I'm at work, but still, thank you for this post. Paying more attention to the worship music I choose to listen to lately.