From an interview on The Spirit of Things…. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/spiritofthings/stories/2006/1788313.htm#transcript

Some interesting comments on the nature of love as expressed in worship…

Rachael Kohn: One of the trends in contemporary Christian worship is to bring Christianity to the masses in the forms that the masses are familiar with, particularly rock bands. And the sort of songs that are sung are often love songs, not very different from the kind that you’d hear on the hit parade. But you’re pretty critical of that.

Michael Frost: Well I’m critical of the singing of love songs to Jesus. Primarily I think because those kind of pop love songs are, by their very nature, they’re sort of impassioned expressions of a very passing kind of feeling of attraction between a man and a woman, and to kind of gather that up and suggest that that’s the best way for me to express my love for God, kind of disturbs me to be quite honest.

I’ve got nothing against being in love with somebody, but having been married for more than 20 years, I think there’s actually something deeper and richer in the love between a man and woman beyond those feelings of love that you often have at the beginning of a relationship. So to make that the highest expression of love, and to direct that to God, does get on my nerves I must admit. But I think say at Small Boat Big Sea, the kind of group that gather there, we’re just anxious, maybe even a bit cynical about trying to muster up some kind of feeling about God, rather than allowing that gathering and that meeting to really reflect what ought to be a daily experience of God’s presence, and of love for God that is exhibited in action and service, and compassion, rather than just gooey feelings every so often.

I sound like I’m down on having feelings, and I’m not suggesting that there aren’t feelings associated with religious faith. But I’d like to suggest that they’re feelings that are more like gravy in the experience, and the real meat and potatoes of loving God is serving God and others.