Balm in Gilead – Page 3 – A discernment podcast about Christian music and praise and worship practices

Recent Posts

April 20, 2021Worship

32 – Earth Has No Sorrow: Dustin Kensrue’s Deconstruction, Review of “The Grey” by Thrice, and Reviews of “Departures” and “Jesus, I Have My Doubts” by Jon Foreman

Psalm Psalm 32 Listen to the Episode Ice Breaker Review of Jon Foreman’s Departures album I would classify this album as a Type 2.5 album. Many of the songs are […]
March 27, 2021Worship

31 – Thy Works Not Mine O Christ: Interview with Justin Rea of Sound in Worship

This week, we welcome special guest Justin Rea to the podcast. We discuss his music recos and play a fun game before settling into the main topic all about what's ahead on Season 3. Stay tuned to the end for a song and a special announcement!
March 2, 2021Worship

30 – As the Deer: Review of “Waterfall” by Chris Tomlin and “Satisfied in You” by The Sing Team

This week, we offer up a song versus song on paraphrases of Psalm 42-43, and, as it happens, Psalm 63. We are looking at Tomlin's Waterfall and The Sing Team's Satisfied in You
February 27, 2021Worship

Let All With Heart and Voice and Occasional Unorthodox Theology: Part 2, Instruments of Instrumentation

Another bonus segment from our discussion in episode 29. We start, but do not go to deep into instruments in worship. Allowed? Not? Things to think about.
February 26, 2021Worship

Let All With Heart and Voice and Occasional Unorthodox Theology: Part 1 What about Watts?

Part 1 of some bonus content from our last show. Here, we go on a bit of a journey through discussing what we each think about how writers’ beliefs ought […]
February 17, 2021Bonus Content

Let All With Heart and Voice and Occasional Unorthodox Theology

Not everything fits in the main show. For those wanting a bit more discussion or following bunny trails, The Bonus Show is for you.
February 16, 2021Worship

29 – Let All with Heart and Voice: A Biblical Argument for Music Ministry, Music Ministers, and Instruments in Christian Worship

Why do we have music ministers, worship leaders, and song leaders? In this episode, Bryan and Grant discuss an idea Bryan has about where this might come from.
February 2, 2021Worship

28 – Rock of Ages Cleft for Me: Interview with Jesse and Leah of Poor Bishop Hooper

A warm welcome to special guest Poor Bishop Hooper! We discuss their recent and ongoing project EveryPsalm, touch on their song writing process, discuss the challenges and joys with the project, and much more.
January 12, 2021Worship

27 – Every Kindred, Every Race: Understanding the Psalms as Scripture, as Poetry, and as Lyrics

Your hosts discuss Biblical translation broadly and poetic translation specifically.
December 29, 2020Worship

26 – Come and Worship: Understanding Petition and Supplication and Our Need for an Omnipotent God

Bryan and Grant finish off the Psalm model with Petition, Supplication, and Call to Action.
December 15, 2020Bonus Content, Worship

25.1 – Let Us Continue to Adore Him

A short excursus on Billboard, and who is responsible for the state of Christian music.
December 15, 2020Worship

25 – O Come Let Us Adore Him: Understanding Adoration, Blessing, and Thanksgiving as Parts of Genuine Praise

The episode in which Bryan and Grant think through a few types of praise: adoration, blessing, and thanksgiving.
November 30, 2020Bonus Content

24.1 – Ponder Again

Hey! You found it! Here is the bonus episode of all the great conversation that didn’t make it into the original episode.
November 30, 2020Worship

24 – Ponder Anew What the Almighty Can Do: Interview with Jim of The Lightest Form of Flogging Podcast

This week we welcome the inimitable Jim Briggs, one of the hosts of the popular Lightest Form of Flogging podcast to talk about how we have changed in our beliefs about worship over the years.
November 16, 2020Worship

23 – Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow: Understanding Genuine and Prescribed Praise in Christian Worship

We continue our thoughts on the Psalm Model with the Praise type of Psalm. Bryan finds 11 aspects to a praise Psalm and Grant relies on Tremper Longman's take to break down the typical structure.
November 2, 2020Worship

22.2 – His Grace Much More Aboundeth: Review of “Lamentations” by Bifrost Arts, “Daughter Zion’s Woe” by Cardiphonia, and “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott (Part 2)

Go listen to episode 22 first! We are going to review 5 songs: a Psalm Model song and a Psalm Paraphrase song from “Lamentations” by Bifrost Arts, a Psalm Model song and a Psalm Paraphrase song from “Daughter Zion’s Woe” by Cardiphonia, and “Thy Will”, a Psalm Model song by Hilary Scott and the Scott Family Band.
October 27, 2020Bomb of Galahad Satire

Billboard Moves “You Say” to the Newly Created #0 Position

Billboard has changed the Hot Christian Chart so that it begins with a #0 position as opposed to the traditional #1 position. This will open up the #1 position for future competitive songs while allowing the “You Say” phenomenon to stand firm.
October 19, 2020Worship

22.1 – The Voice of Lamentation: Understanding Lament and Its Importance in Christian Worship (Part 1)

Bryan and Grant dive into the Psalms known as "laments." What are they and why are they important?
October 5, 2020Worship

21 – I Will Sing of My Redeemer: Introduction of the Psalm Model and Using the Psalms as a Songwriting Guide

Bryan and Grant finally get into the Psalm Model for writing worship music. But not before we play another round of everyone's favorite game!
September 21, 2020Worship

20 – Mine Was the Transgression: Page CXVI, The Porter’s Gate, and Progressive Ideologies in the Church

The one where Bryan and Grant talk about politics. Really, it's not that bad! Oh, and we kick off season 2.