God-centered vs. Christ-centered

Are they different? If so, what is the difference? Is it possible to be both? Which is best?

They are one God. But that's an interesting question. and one I don't have an answer for. :P :)

I'm not completely sure what you're asking…are you talking about lifestyles, or specific events/activities, or something else?
A movie/play/book could be "Christ-centered" in that if focuses primarily on Christ's person, but that of course does not mean that it is not "God-centered", since Christ is God. I suppose I think of "Christ-centered" as a more specific term than "God-centered", while still meaning essentially the same thing. However, I really don't hear or use those terms very often, so I wouldn't be surprised if many people have a completely different way of using those terms.

Think about it this way- when we sing about Christ, what do we generally sing about? "Christ saved me, what a great Savior, He washed my sins away."

When we sing about God, it is direct praise.

So, really, Christ-centered is me-centered, whereas God-centered is the praise that we are told to give Him.

Singing "Christ saved me, what a great Savior, He washed my sins away" would also be praising God, right? Would you say that praising God for what he has personally done for me is less honoring to him than praising him for his justice and holiness (which are also a significant part in our salvation)? Just trying to clarify.

There is a place for that- the problem now is that is pretty much all most Christians sing. There is no focus on praise. It is all "Thank you for saving me, You're my Savior" etc, etc.

Think about the hymns from before the mid-1800s: A Mighty Fortress is our God; Great God of Wonders; Holy, Holy, Holy; Wondrous King all Glorious

Some songs written more recently are similar, but we really lost the focus on God with the tent-meeting revivals.

I know what you mean. We were part of a church at one point that sang a lot of songs like that, and I had a hard time singing a lot of them. In fact, sometimes I just didn't sing at all. Fortunately, the church we are now a part of is more traditional (we have a hymal, in addition to a songbook with carefully selected more 'modern' songs), and hymns like "Holy Holy Holy" are a regular part of our worship service.

In such a case, I would distinguish even further and split the category "Christ-centered" in to "Truly Christ-centered" and "Me-centered". I would argue that we can certainly praise God by singing about what he has done for ??me?? personally, which necessarily (though indirectly) praises his goodness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, justice, holiness, etc. at the same time. Though we may have different definitions of "praise"…

In your original question, did you have songs/worship music in mind, or have we strayed from there? :)

And, this is what Western Christians argue about when they have nothing better to do. And that's the only reason we have such discussions. Do you think the persecuted Christians in China are worrying about this? Or the families that have experienced the deaths of so many loved ones in Northern Nigeria, where the Muslims slaughter Christians every day, do you think they have time, to be worrying about whether their praises to God are "focusing on themselves"? They're praising God, that's all that matters.

Are you suggesting that this is a pointless and useless discussion, and that we should focus our energies elsewhere?

I am saying, that I really don't see where the whole "we're-focusing-on-ourselves-praising-God" thing is coming from. And honestly, I'd say that it is kind of pointless. Now, you're going to say that "Well, you've taken part in lots of these TD's! HYPOCRITE!" And, I have. But honestly. nit-picking something like this is, to me, a waste of time. A conversation concerning the appropriateness of books or relationships, or theological questions, I can understand, and those do help us grow. But, is psychoanalyzing the hymns I've been singing for a long time, that do praise God, help me in any way? Just because I focus on what He does for me, does that make it then me-focused? If anything, it makes me appreciate His hand in my life even more.

I'm sorry if I'm coming across as arrogant or mean, or antagonistic, I'm really not trying to be. But, I honestly don't get this question.

I know what you mean - I'm not exactly sure I understand what Eowyn is getting at either - though I think we may have gone off-topic a bit with the hymns thing. I was going to wait until my next post to say this, but I'll throw it out now; it's quite possible that many of these "me-focused" songs depend of the person singing/hearing it. For instance, I could sing "God is my savior, look what he has done for me", etc., and praise God for what he has done, realizing that I had no part in my salvation and that it was completely his doing, or I could sing the same words and think "Isn't it great that I got myself saved, I'm so glad that I chose God", etc. and have a me-focused approach. I agree with you - singing songs about what God has done for me does not make it a "me-focused" song, especially because my personal belief is that I was like a dead man, unable to do anything to save myself, and that God did all the work or raising me to newness of life.

Again, it may be coming down to a "praise" definition…

Also, as a musician in my church, a discussion of hymns/worship songs may be more beneficial for me than many people.

Okay, now, that, I understand. And yes, I do see how a some of songs celebrating what Christ has done for us fail to point out how utterly unworthy we are of what He did, but make it like "Hey, he did this for me! I must be pretty special!". And, telling people that "God thinks you're special!" without the fact that we don't deserve it, does seem to be self-serving. But, as you said, it still depends on who's hearing it.

I do see how a some of songs celebrating what Christ has done for us fail to point out how utterly unworthy we are of what He did, but make it like "Hey, he did this for *me*! I must be pretty special!". And, telling people that "God thinks you're special!" without the fact that we don't deserve it, does seem to be self-serving. But, as you said, it still depends on who's hearing it.

Completely agree with you there.

And, *this* is what Western Christians argue about when they have nothing better to do. And that's the only reason we _have_ such discussions. Do you think the persecuted Christians in China are worrying about this? Or the families that have experienced the deaths of so many loved ones in Northern Nigeria, where the Muslims slaughter Christians every day, do you think they have _time_, to be worrying about whether their praises to God are "focusing on themselves"? They're praising God, that's all that matters.

Look at other groups of people from history, Sam. Most of the tribes who were constantly fighting and chasing and running away, made very small to no new movement forward, inventions, works of art, etc. Please don't look down on the people who in times of peace try to work out the smaller parts of the faith.