Matt Papa
| Matt Papa | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Matthew Michael Papa |
| Born |
July 3, 1983 Gainesville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian rock, worship |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Maranatha, Centricity Music, 2 Cities Music, The Summit Church |
| Website | mattpapa |
Matthew Michael "Matt" Papa (born July 3, 1983 in Gainesville, Georgia) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader. In 2009, his album Your Kingdom Come charted #46 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums and #33 on the Top Heatseekers chart. He and his wife, Lauren, live in Raleigh, NC with their three daughters and where Matt currently serves as Artist in Residence at The Summit Church.
Even the title of Papa's latest album, Look & Live, indicates how his evangelistic desire is undergirded by a love of scripture. Who else would name an album after a strange passage in the book of Numbers? "In Numbers 21," Papa says, "God's people are in the wilderness, complaining and grumbling. God sends serpents to bite the people because of their disbelief. They call out for mercy, and God says, 'Okay, I'll show you mercy,' but He does it in a strange way. He makes a pole for people to look at and live. Jesus lets us know the reason for that in John 3: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." Papa continues, bringing this remarkable story to the present day. "This album, and hopefully my life, is a call to every human being who is stuck in the muck of addiction, sin and selfishness, to lift up your head and to see that the only thing that can truly liberate you, the only thing that can truly captivate you, is the beauty and glory of God." Throughout the album, Papa explores the human struggle between idolatry and worship.
The album opens and closes with philosophical bookends, with the Gospel illuminating the center. The first atmospheric piano notes of "All for Your Glory" commence the tale of creation, the fall of man, and, ultimately, God's victory and our enduring purpose. Papa masterfully composes grand precepts in dramatic and emotional terms. "We ran and fell into darkness / But all the rage of our sin could not frustrate / Your dream of grace."
The Ocean" follows, taking its chorus from a stunning quote by Jonathan Edwards. Edwards spoke of temporal, earthly enjoyments, such as our homes, friends, and family, and declared that they are but shadows. "The enjoyment of God is the substance," he wrote. "These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean." The concept has had a profound influence on Papa's view of the world. "The quote is magnificent in that it both destroys idolatry and it enhances worship. Christianity is not escapism. We see the world through our Creator. We don't run from the world, we look through it to its source.”
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Wikipedia