Aesthetics and the Christian Musician Part 8

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician Part 8

         How does a Christian musician develop a philosophy of music aesthetics?  Some Christian musicians who are referentialists believe that music derives most of its significance outside of itself.    This is especially true when we consider sacred music.  Referentialists believe that music’s meanings are often not only outside of the music itself, but also are actual references to real life.  Christian non-referentialists believe that music has meaning, but that its meaning is music’s own meaning as part of a closed system that does not relate to life outside of the music.

        Worship music normally exists as a means to an end.  Music is a vehicle upon which the Word of God rides into the mind of the worshiper.  However, as I just mentioned, an increasing number of Christian musicians believe that music is a closed system and that its system of “knowing” and its significance comes from within itself with absolutely no cause and effect on real life outside of music.  This philosophical belief allows a Christian musician to function independently of the Lordship of Christ.  Since they believe that music’s significance is in no way referential it only refers to itself and may not “say” anything at all.  This belief system allows a total artistic approach to religious music. 

       So the Christian musician, who is developing a music aesthetic, will be forced to come to philosophical grips with whether or not music has a cause and effect on the performer and the auditor.  Although music aesthetics deals with beauty and the import of that meaning, one cannot escape considering what music is or is not capable of doing to the whole-life of the performer and the listener.