Aesthetics and the Christian Musician Part 15

 

           Aesthetics and the Christian musician Part 15

 There are several Bible principles that apply to sacred music.  If the music has words the word of God is the most important element of that music.  Sacred music should be characterized by an absence of excessive noise.  Since the music should be melody oriented, rhythm must never obscure the melody (or melodies), the harmony or the words.  Sacred music must be characterized by “beauty” rather than “ugliness”.  All sacred music must be of a higher renovated character than the music of the world.  All sacred music must be based on Spirit and truth.  Sacred music must be non-carnal i.e. it must not appeal primarily to the flesh.  Sacred music must cause the worshipers to muse or think as opposed to causing them to be amused (not to think).  Sacred music must represent the changed life principles expressed in Scripture.  None of the above principles are a matter of taste or opinion.  They are all requirements for the whole of sacred music. 

            A caution to conservative Christian musicians is necessary.  We should be careful not to act as if we have all the answers or that there is no room for some variety in developing a Christian music aesthetic.  No Christian musician that I have ever know has all wisdom or all knowledge concerning what God thinks about beauty in music.

            Over a period of time the specifics of what is considered beautiful in music will undergo some changes.  This doesn’t mean that style and form in church music don’t matter.  They do matter since Church Music Matters to God.  Changes will come. Instrumentation, orchestration, choral arranging, small groups, and many other ways of accomplishing the Bible mandate of worshiping the Lord through music will change.  Conservatives should not resist all change, but rather resist only destructive change.  Diversity of music expression is not negative or wrong in itself.  However, we must never lose sight of what will and will not fit the awesomeness and solemnity of worship of the Triune God.  Developing a Christocentric music aesthetic in an atmosphere of change is not ever an easy task.