Prayer, Song, and thought for the Day

Prayer for Music teachers

Our dear kind heavenly Father I want to thank you for the influence that teachers have made in my life.  I am asking you to bless all those music teachers who are Christian teachers that are giving their time and energy to help students.  Please give them strength and wisdom throughout the remainder of this school year.  Help them to influence students to live for You and desire to music in your wonderful name.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen. 

Song for the Day    “We are One in Mission” by Rusty Edwards 

Thought for the Day

When we used to sit around the dinner table and discuss our God given gifts and talents, my wife’s father Charles Parsons used to say “find your tree and stay in it.”

 

Does God Call Music Teachers? Part 1

Does God Call Music Teachers? Part 1

Students who are in a music education degree program often wonder if teaching music is a sacred trust and therefore a calling of God.  During my lifetime I have seen very little written on the subject of whether or not music teaching is a calling of God like being a pastor or a missionary. Also, I have never had the privilege of hearing anyone give a lecture on music teaching being considered a sacred trust. 1Corinthians 12:28 states,  “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

First of all, before I answer the question “Does God call teachers?” I believe that it is necessary for me to identify the Bible definitions of the words teacher and teachers and false teachers. I Corinthians 12:28 & 29 use the word didaskalos (1320) which means a master or instructor. II Peter uses false teachers (pseudodidaskalos 5572) which has the connotation of a spurious teacher.    The same Greek word is translated master several times in the AV.  Sometimes it was referring to Jesus and others who were also referred to as “master’.  It was translated once in James 3:1 as many masters (pokus didaskalos 4183 1320). 

Of special interest is a reference in Ephesians 4:11 where pastors and teachers (poimen, didaskolos 4166 1320) are referred to as one instead of different callings.  Because of this reference some believe that being a teacher is a concomitant gift of a pastoral calling rather than a separate calling.  The fact that God endows some pastors with the gift of teaching does not preclude God calling others to be teachers.  It seems perfectly clear from I Corinthians 12:28 where the inspired writer is careful to include teachers among the various classifications of callings.  I believe that the words “God hath set” clearly indicate that God places (tithemi, 5087) or calls Christians into these several ministries.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

When you look through your window of life, which is your musical paradigm, is what you see representative of a changed life of a Christian musician who is Spirit filled?

 

 

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 4

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 4  

A Christian musician’s worldview and, as a concomitant of this view the musician’s musical worldview, will shape his or her music philosophy.  The way that a musician perceives music’s place and importance in education, church, home, and “community” will determine what he or she considers the reality of the nature and value of the whole of music.  It is my opinion that a Christian musician’s music philosophy cannot be developed beyond how he or she views music in the larger pictures of church, home, and community.

I have observed that often what a musician says he or she believes about music and how that musician actually musics is often somewhat different.  I  believe that this disparity is generally caused by the musician’s worldview of music and, based on the reality of that view, what  the musician believes music will or will not do to his or her whole life.  Furthermore, I contend that, based on the notion  many Christians have that  music is not capable of harming a Christian spiritually, many Christian musician’s worldview becomes clouded by skewed perception and thereby these musicians develop a false view of music’s power to affect the whole life of Christians.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

When you look through the window of your paradigm of music, what do you see?

 

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 3

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 3

 The word renewing which comes from anakainosis (342) means a complete renovating or reordering of one’s thinking (paradigm- new meaning) about the realities of life.  This renewing of one’s world view is necessary in order to prove (dokimazo 1381) that the Christian musician’s philosophic worldview is amenable to the will of God. 

As a Christian musician reads God’s Word and as the Holy Spirit gives the musician understanding of the many verses concerning music and musicing found in the Bible, a Christocentric music worldview is developed. St John 16:13 explains, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

 I am not claiming that this verse in the Bible has any esoteric meaning that is exclusive to the Christian musician, bur I am contending that the truth contained in this verse  extends to Christian musician’s who are developing that window, through which they will view the whole of music and musicing, that we call a Christian musical worldview.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

If you music the way the world musics then you are worldly.

A Christian's Worldview of Music Part 2

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 2 

In St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (12:1-2)  he gives a strong admonishment to those who are Christians when he states,  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  The words not conformed (me suschematizo 3361, 4964) teach us that, in the process of presenting ourselves to God, we must not let ourselves be fashioned into the pattern of the world i.e. its paradigm.

  It is interesting to note that the original meaning of the word paradigm first appeared in English sometime during the 15th century and meant "an example or pattern".  (Since the 1960’s, the word paradigm has developed the meaning that it is a framework containing a person’s basic assumptions and ways of thinking.)

        The word transformed (metamorphoo 3339) connotes the complete change that takes place when a Christian presents himself or herself as a living sacrifice to God.  After this transformation the Christian looks at life and music differently than the world looks at it.  So perhaps the import of not being conformed is resisting the world’s paradigm of life and ipso facto music and musicing.  

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

If you do not music the way you say you believe a Christian should music, then you do not believe what you say you believe about music.

 

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 1

A Christian’s Worldview of Music Part 1

There was a time in my career when I believed that a music philosophy was always developed before the formation of music worldview.  Now I understand that worldview and specifically one’s music worldview is the window through which a musician views what he or she believes is the truth about the nature and value of music. All Christian musicians have a music worldview, but being a Christian does not insure that one’s worldview of music is truly a Christian worldview.  I define music worldview as how a musician perceives the whole of music in terms of what he or she considers the reality of what is right and wrong, appropriate or not appropriate etc. concerning music.

 This presumed reality is then weaved into a Christian’s music philosophy.  What is weaved into the musician’s philosophy from worldview will strongly shape how the musician views and deals with music in relationship to his or her being in the world. Certainly every Christian is in the world, but simply being in the world does not mean that a Christian is “of the world” i.e. is squeezed into the world’s mold philosophically.  Hopefully, the Christian will not be convinced by those who are not Christians to view the world and music as they do. The way that a Christian musician views the world will strongly influence how he or she views music in this world.

 

 

Prayer, Song, and Scripture for the Day

Prayer for the Day 

Lord I want my musical sacrifices to always come from a heart that is without offence toward God.  I am asking you to help me to music unto your wonderful name with passion.  I desire that my musicing will cause others to want to love and serve You.  Lord I am confessing that I cannot do this on my own.  I need and desire your help every time I music unto Your wonderful and worthy name.  Thank You Lord for all You have done for me.  This I am praying in Your great name.  Amen. 

Song for the Day     “Make me a Servant” by Kelly Willard 

Scripture Thought for the Day   

 

 Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

 

 

 

Holy Living Sacrifices Part 2

Holy Living Sacrifices Part 2  

Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy (hagios), acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

All Christian musicians must be aware that they do not have the responsibility to satisfy me with their definition of what hagios (40) means in this verse.  The person that all Christian musicians have to please with the way they live is God.  I am simply saying that God said in this verse present Me a living, breathing sacrifice that is without moral blame.

Hagios is sometimes translated saints in the AV and the Practical Word Studies in the New Testament states that, “believers are saints in the sense that they are set apart to live consecrated and holy lives in this present world.”  Practical word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. I, (no author) p. 1044    W.E. Vine believed that hagios   “…signifies ‘separated’…and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred.”  Vines expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, by W.E. Vine et al, p. 307

J.H. Thayer stated that this living sacrifice (thusia 2378) must be, “in a moral sense, pure, sinless, upright, holy…”  The New Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament by Joseph H. Thayer, p. 7  One of the ways that a Christian can keep the living sacrifice  acceptable to God is to keep it pure and unspotted by the world (James I:27) and another is to keep the sacrifice alive unto God.  It only stands to reason that if God requires the life of living sacrifice to be a holy sacrifice, then anything less than holy living is not acceptable to God.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Dear Lord you know that I have presented my body as a living sacrifice to You.  Please help me to keep on presenting my life to You as the years go by.  Help me to live a holy life from day to day so that my musical offerings will be acceptable in your sight.  Lord I know that everything that I do is visible to You. Lord I cannot hide anything from You and I am not going to try to hide anything.  Lord I know that loving You with all of my heart requires keeping Your precepts, so I desire to “delight in the Law of the Lord day and night”.  These things I pray in Your powerful name.  Amen. 

Song for the Day “Sanctuary” by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs   

Thought for the Day  

The thought of living a holy life would be overwhelming if the Christian musician had to do so with his or her own strength. Psalm 3:3, reminds Christians, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head”.

 

 

 

 

Holy Living Sacrifices Part 1

 Holy Living Sacrifices Part 1

Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Those of you that know me best may think that Romans 12:1& 2 are the only verses in the Bible that I know.  Today I would like to discuss the word holy that was translated in this verse from the Greek word hagios (40) which means to be physically pure and morally blameless in the sight of God.  I am well aware that a Christian musician will probably never get so spiritual that he or she is above the possibility of being blamed by those with whom he or she works.  God must have wanted this word to be understood since He inspired the New Testament writers to include it in 219 verses in the New Testament.

As you are well aware, Christians disagree about what it means for a Christian musician to live a holy life. I am not credulous enough to believe that I am able to settle this discussion to all Christian musicians’ satisfaction in this blog post.  I can say with much assurance that it is a biblical imperative for all Christian musicians to become a living sacrifice that is physically pure and morally blameless in the sight of God.

Prayer, Chorus and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

 

 I want to thank You Lord that You care about me.  You know that the harder I try to serve You the more Satan tries to discourage me.  Please accept my song of praise to You.  Lord, I know that you are bigger than my troubles.  Please help me to trust you to give me the strength that I need at this very moment.  This I am asking you in Your strong and wonderful name.  Amen.

Chorus for the Day—“Give Thanks” by Henry Smith

 

Thought for the Day

 

It is one thing to believe that God can help you in the time of trouble, but it is another to trust that he will help you right now when you ask Him to help you!

 

 

Ponder His Wondrous Works

Ponder His Wondrous Works

1Chronicles 16:9-10, “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.”

            Verse nine instructs us to sing Scripture to YHVH.  Many Christian musicians have not thought of singing Scripture to God when they go through a time of trouble.  Those of us who are teachers are pleased when a former student reminds us of something we said that has been a blessing to that person when he or she is in need of God’s help. When Satan accuses or attempts to depress or discourage a Christian and that person sings an uplifting psalm to God, I am convinced that our advocate Jesus Christ the righteous one is moved with compassion.  Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

            So, if you need help from God, I am recommending that you stop right now and sing to our sinless Savior Jesus Christ.  If you do not feel like singing, do it anyway as a sacrifice of praise to God.  You may ask, what should I sing?  Sing of all His wonderful works.  The Hebrew word pala (6381) rendered “of all his wondrous works” in the AV, means “Wonder [which is] always in a context of God’s acts or words, except for Lam. 1:9.”  Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, by R.L. Harris et al p.723

 The word talk also deserves consideration.  It comes from the word siyach (7878) which means “to ponder”.  I know that the chronicler is telling us, under the inspiration of God, to sing unto the Lord and he may be telling us to talk out Lord about His wonderful works. However, this word definitely connotes pondering or meditating.  So, when you are troubled by Satan, sing and meditate on who God is and what He does.  It is the best medicine that you can take for what ails you.

                                                                                                                          

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

I have found that the busiest mothers are the ones who find time to help their little children practice. 

Are Music Lessons Necessary?

Are Music Lessons Necessary?

          Parents and children probably have more demands on their time than ever before.  A common question is often how can we find time to include music lessons in our busy schedule?  Someone has said if you want something done ask someone who is really busy.  Parents who really consider music to be valuable to public and private worship do not have time but rather make time to involve their children in music training.

            When should a child start taking lessons?  Although there is no absolute answer to this question, the answer is early!  Certainly most children are ready for beginning lessons on piano or strings by the age of five or six.  Some instruments like brass, double bass or guitar, will demand some more years of physical growth before readiness to begin lessons.

            Parents who do not play an instrument often believe that they cannot help with music lessons.  This is far from the truth.  When young children are taking lessons (ages 4-7), two things are most often necessary.  First, the parent should attend each lesson.  The parent should keep quiet and let the teacher direct the lesson and control the child’s behavior.  Second, practice with the child every day!  Most likely parents are wasting their money on a four-year-old child’s lessons unless they practice with the child every time he or she practices.

            How often should the child practice?  I will answer this question by telling you what one of our children's violin teachers told us, “Only practice on the days that she eats.”  Seriously, I would say that children need to practice at least five days per week.  Young children do not need to practice for long periods of time, but they do need to practice regularly.

            Why must parents make this sacrifice?  Because our children are worth it.  God demands our best and our best requires giving our children the opportunity to prepare musically so they will be able to give God their best.  I believe that God’s Kingdom will suffer in the first quarter of this century if we don’t prepare our children to give their musical talents back to God!

Thought for the Day

 Thought for the Day

John 16:13,  "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."  Praise be to our wonderful God.   He does not abandon Christian musicians who are developing a Bible based music philosophy!  He will guide them into "all truth".

I Believe--part 1 (Reprise)

I Believe--part 1 (Reprise)

I believe that the more than 600 references to music in the Bible are given by inspiration of God and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction today.  The Bible provides us with timeless, relevant, usable, practical and spiritual guidance in the twenty-first century.  I believe that the only completely safe teacher of church music philosophy is the Holy Spirit, who is capable and willing to guide us into all truth concerning music ministry and music education in this century.

I believe that there are absolutes concerning music ministry.  I believe in profundity, appropriateness and standards of correctness in church music and music education.  I believe that Church Music Matters and that church music matters to God.  I believe that although there is room for taste in church music, it is not all a matter of personal taste.  I believe God created music, and he thought it into being.  I believe that since God thinks about music, we should study His Word to ascertain what He thinks about music.

I believe that good causes in music may be served.  I believe that even though we as Christians live in this present evil world, we are not of this present world.  I believe that in this century conservative Spirit-filled musicians can effect positive changes in church music and music education.  I believe that churches, Christian schools and Bible colleges who have a Chistocentric music philosophy can and should catechize the next generation of Christian Musicians.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank and praise You Father for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross of Calvary for my sins.  I want to Thank You Jesus for being obedient to the will of the Father, and paying the full price for the sins of the whole world.  Thank you Jesus that you were not willing that anyone should perish, but rather that all men and women would come to repentance.  Lord, thank You the whosoever of the gospel included me.  If it had not included everyone, I would have been left out because I am a “nobody’ who was raised on an eighty acre farm in Kansas.  Thank you, thank You, heavenly Father for including me.  This I thankfully pray in your merciful name.  Amen.

Song for the Day   “He Lives” by Alfred H. Ackley

 

Thought for the Day

One of the things that makes Jesus our victorious Savior is that He is not only the “author” but also the “finisher” of our faith.

 

 

Our Victorious Savior Part 3

Our Victorious Savior Part 3

Mark16:2, “And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Mark 16:5-6, “And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.  And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

              This is the Sunday that we celebrate Christ Resurrection.  I am setting here in my little office trying to imagine what it was like when Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome entered the tomb where Joseph of Arimathaea had buried Jesus.  It was shocking to see that the stone had been rolled away; even more shocking to see that Jesus body was not there and that his grave clothes were folded neatly; and terrifying to see and hear the angel declare “he is risen”. 

The angel told them to not be afraid.  I am sure that they were frightened and I would have been too.  They had come to the sepulchure with sweet spices which they had prepared to anoint Jesus’ body.  They were doubtful that they would be able to get into the tomb because “it was very great”.  When they get inside the tomb there is no Savior to anoint because, as the angel reminds them in Luke 24:6 “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

So, on this Easter Sunday morning let all Christians proclaim, “Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed!  We serve a God who is victorious Savior and is above all other gods because He not only was but is.  As Ro 8:34 declares, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” 

Finally we are reminded in Hebrews 12:2 that we should be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 4:15 explains that he is our sinless victorious Savior when it states. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

 

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I am not sure that I am capable of understanding all of the meaning of Your victory over sin on the cross of Calvary.  Even though I do not understand it all, I have experienced Your forgiveness and the wonderful reconciliation that it brought to my life.  Thank you for being my wonderful Savior.  Lord, I want to tell You that I love you and worship you for giving me mercy instead of justice.  I know that I am in no way worthy of your love and forgiveness, so I want to let You know that I am thankful for your love and mercy.  Thank You, Thank You, Thank you!  In your wonderful name I am praying.  Amen. 

Song for the Day “Wounded for Me” by W.G. Owens and G.W. Roberts 

Thought for the Day

Christians should not get so caught up in chocolate eggs and candy Easter bunnies that they forget about the real reason we celebrate Easter.

 

 

Our Victorious Savior Part 2

Our Victorious Savior Part 2

Although the Easter decorations, food, and dressing up for church are nice things to do during the Easter season, they are by no means the reason why we celebrate Easter.  Let me remind us all again that we celebrate Easter because of the fact that Christ died to pay the full penalty for the sins of mankind.  We also celebrate Easter because Christ’s death, resurrection, and victory over sin, death, and hell make it possible to enter the throne room of God’s grace with boldness.

Christ made a “new and living way” by ushering in the New Covenant.   Romans 6:23 teaches, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  So, as St Paul stated, “… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

As Christian musicians we should glory in Christ’s victory over sin and death that was accomplished because as Philippians 2:8 explains, “And being found in fashion as a man, he [Christ] humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  It would be a good thing to spend some time during this Easter season thanking our lord and Savior Jesus Christ for saying in the Garden of Gethsemane, (Luke 22:42)  “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day  

I want to thank you Lord for paying the penalty for sin on the cross and for being our high priest.  Thank you for being obedient to the will of the Father.  Help me to love and serve you each day of my life.   Lord, I give you all of me as long as I live.  Help me to take your advice and come boldly to your throne of grace where I know I can receive help in the time of need.  These petitions I am praying in your wonderful name.  Amen. 

Song for the Day “Our Great Savior” by J. Wilbur Chapman 

Thought for the Day  

Have you ever thought about how wonderful a privilege it is to live under the perfect covenant where we are able to enter the most holy place and commune with God?

 

 

Our Victorious Savior Part 1

Our Victorious Savior Part 1  

Matthew 27:50-51 states, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent…”  Hebrews10:17-21 puts the rending of the vale into Christian perspective. “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

As we near the traditional time of Easter, it is only proper for Christian musicians to be reminded of the real reason we celebrate this holiday.  Up to the time of Christ’s crucifixion, the Holiest of Holies was separated by a vale, thus signifying that the common man could not come boldly to the throne of God’s grace.  When Christ died the vale in the Temple was torn from the top to the bottom which let everyone know that some person did not sneak into the great Temple and tear the curtain into two pieces.

Hebrews 4:16 states, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  Because Christ paid the price for our redemption from sin, we are instructed to come boldly to Christ for help when we need it the most.  Praise God we do not have to serve God by types and shadows of better things that were promised earlier in the Scriptures. 

The Old Testament practice of the shedding of blood sacrifices for the remission of sins was superseded by Christ’s shedding of His own blood on the cross at Calvary.  St. Paul, in chapter nine verse twenty two of his letter to the Hebrews explains, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”  After Christ died for the sins of all of us, we are no longer required to complete continual blood sacrifices that atone for our sins. 

 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

I have observed over many years that musicians, who will not learn from others, will not learn.  Also, I have found out after dialoguing with musicians who have never committed their philosophy to pen and ink, that many times they have a long list of things they doubt, but a very short list of things they are committed to philosophically.

 

Defending Philosophy Biblically Part 2

Defending Philosophy Biblically Part 2

So, it seems logical to deduce that there is much support in the Bible for a Christian musician basing his or her systematic beliefs about the nature and value of the whole of music on wisdom found both in and out of the Bible. I believe that much of the wisdom concerning music and musicing may be found in the Bible.  However, I do not claim that I believe in sola scriptura as the only source of wisdom concerning music philosophy. 

I am often reminded of Jesus’ parable of the steward in Luke16:8 which states, “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light”.  I know that this parable had absolutely nothing to say about music.  However, I believe that there is a principle in Jesus’ parable that applies to us all. The principle is that sometimes stewardship requires getting the job done with the help of others.

I do not believe that Jesus was commending the unjust steward for his unjustness.  Jesus said in Luke 16:9, “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”  I do not profess to know all that Jesus was teaching in this statement, but it appears that He was saying that we can gather wisdom from people who are not Christians. However, Christians are warned in Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you [i.e. lead you astray] through philosophy (philosophia 5385) and vain deceit [kenos apate 2756 539 i.e. empty delusion], after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

From ancient times until the twenty first century there has been interest in knowledge of wise things.  Music philosophy is as ancient as philosophy in any other of the major disciplines.  So, it is not a novel idea that Christian musicians have a love for wisdom concerning music and musicing.

Defending Philosophy Biblically Part 1

Defending Philosophy Biblically Part 1

             Philosophy is generally understood to be a love for the pursuit of wisdom. It is a method of pursuing wisdom through logical reasoning. It is an academic discipline through which logical reasoning is employed to critically analyze one’s fundamental presuppositions and beliefs about some area of life.  Philosophy investigates the nature, value, principles, knowledge, and causes of that discipline.  After logically and critically analyzing one’s systematic beliefs, a unified field of wisely developed knowledge is established that becomes a system of values and beliefs by which one operates within that discipline To the Christian this philosophical pursuit is always deeply grounded in Bible principles.

            It seems only logical to find out what the word philosophy means and if it is ever mentioned in the Bible before one attempts to write a book about music philosophy. The English word philosophy is only used once in the AV in St. Paul’s first epistle to the Colossians where he warns in chapter two, verse eight, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy (philosophia 5385) and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”  The word philosophia is derived from philosophos (5386) which is a word which comes from the two Greek words Philos (5384) and sophos (4680) which mean one who is fond of wise things i.e. wisdom. 

So let us consider philosophy’s mention in the Bible.   Philosophia is used only once in the New Testament in Colossians 2:8; philosophos is also only used once in acts 17:18; sophos is used 21 times and is translated wise, wiser, and wise man in the AV. I define wise as meaning having knowledge, and good judgment and wisdom as the quality of a person being wise.  The English word wisdom is used about 55 times in the AV New Testament.  The word wisdom is found in 266 verses the AV Old and New Testament!  The exact number of references is not important, but it is important that the Bible speaks so often of wisdom. 

 

Prayer, Song , and Scripture for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I know in my head that You are my source of help during the times that I am misunderstood, but help me to believe it in my heart.  Help me to trust that You not only can help me but that You will help me!  During the times of misunderstanding help me to not lean on my understanding but to trust you like a little child trusts his earthly father. Lord, I want you to know that I love You and thank You for what You have done for me and what You will do in the future.  These things I am praying in your wonderful name.  Amen.

Song for the Day  Trust and Obey  by John H. Sammis

Scripture for the Day   Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

 

 

Trusting God During Misunderstanding

Trusting God During Misunderstanding

 Lamentations 3:14, “I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.”

It is rewarding when others sing your compositions, but it is another thing when they make fun of you with their musicing. In his Lamentations, Jeremiah, in verse one of Chapter Three recounted that, “I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.  One must read the complete chapter or it will appear that Jeremiah was completely negative.  However in verse twenty two states, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”

           If you take a stand musically, you are probably going to be made fun of by others.  This derision may come from those that are close enough to you to hurt you deeply.  The only musicians that I know that are not misunderstood at times are those who are not doing anything for the Lord musically.  So, get prepared to be misunderstood and at the same time get prepared to understand that the Lord will not let you be “consumed”.  The Psalmist put it this way in Psalm 121:2 which is one of  one of the songs of ascents, “ My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”  Since the creator of the universe desires to help you, let Him do it when you are misunderstood.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

The Revised Standard Version translates Psalm 81:1 as, “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!”    Young’s Literal Translation renders Psalm 81:1, “Cry aloud to God our strength, shout to the God of Jacob,” That sounds to me like a biblical call for emotional passionate musicing.

 

 

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning? Part 6

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning?  Part 6

I want to say this as kindly as I can, but refusing to music with emotion to exhibit humility, though perhaps well meaning, is a misguided philosophical position.  One of the reasons I believe this so strongly is that real humility is not an act but rather a condition of the musicer’s heart.  Likewise musicing for the purpose of self aggrandizement at the expense of musicing that lifts up Christ is also the result of a heart condition.  So, the Christian musician should not dumb down his or her musical performance by inartistic unemotional performance in an attempt to appear humble to an audience.

In regard to an over humble approach to one’s performance, I remember that one of my daughter’s violin professors once said to her, “A performer’s false humility is a form of pride too.”  Removing oneself emotionally from musical performance often has the result of musicing that is detached and sterile. Trying to look, sound, or appear humble is a form of self pride.  Another of the many reasons that I disagree philosophically with such musical performance is that it is not believable.  In my opinion, the most important part about musicing is that it must be believable to an audience. This becomes even more important when it comes to sacred musicing.  If the Christian musician is singing about how much he or she loves the Lord in such a way that the audience believes that the one ministering does not really love the Lord, then that musician’s musicing will not be efficacious. 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

God  said in His Word that He would not share his glory with another, but he never said that is was wrong to music unto him with great emotion or that musicing with emotion would diminish His glory.

 

 

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning? Part 5

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning?  Part 5

I most certainly disagree with musical performance that exalts self and thereby denies the Bible principle of music ministry established in the Old Testament that the Levite musicians were to minister in the spirit of sharath (8334) i.e. in the spirit of humility like a servant or a menial worshiper.  One of the Scriptures that teaches this principle of musicing is1Chronicles 6:31-32 which states, “And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.  And they ministered (sharath 8334) before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.”  It is always possible that a musician will go through process of religious musicing with the purpose in mind to glorify self and to display his or her musical wares rather than the sole purpose of presenting God a musical offering as a response to God for who He is, what He has do, and what he will do in the future.

With all this in mind, I still contend that Christian musicians can hide behind the cross and lift it up at the same time.  No musician has to exalt self when he or she musics with emotion and meaning.  Although I have met performers who were haughty and high minded, some of the greatest musicians that I have had the privilege to meet were very humble down to earth people.  I contend that musicing with emotion does not require the musicer to be self-centered or to not be Christ-like.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

The Christian musician who is totally committed to presenting sacred music offerings solely to God for His glory is probably more emotional about musicing than the performer who is merely performing for his or her aggrandizement...

 

 

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning? Part 4

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning?  Part 4

Although removing one’s self from the performance by singing in an inartistic manner by singing without emotion is often an attempt at humility, it is a misguided attempt at best.  If one takes the view that a Christian musician’s singing is a musical offering unto God, then one must look at the sacrificial system to see what it required of the one making the offering.  Without a lengthy explanation of the sacrificial system of the Bible, I will simply say that it required the best offering that the one presenting the offering to God could present.  I contend that a lackluster musical offering without emotion and meaning is not the best musical offering that a Christian vocalist is capable of presenting to God.  I have often told choir members and soloists that it is not the best offering that God will accept, but rather it is the best offering that the musician is capable of presenting out of a pure heart that God accepts.

One reason that I have been so careful in my writing about emotion in musicing, and ipso facto its communicated meaning, is because it may seem to the reader that I agree with the philosophical notion that the performer is everything to music and musicing.  It may also seem that I believe that a humanistic approach to musicing is proper for the Christian performer.  On the contrary, I believe that the Christian performer who is sold out to Christ believes like St. John who declared John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease”.

 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Why is it that some Christian musicians are emotional about everything involved in their relationship with Jesus Christ except their musicing into Him?

 

 

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning? Part 3

Does Emotion in Music Have Meaning?  Part 3

            I am aware that much of the vocal music message is expressed through the unfolding of a text.  However, in order for a singer to be effective in text exposition, he or she is always required to express text emotionally.  This is a major part of what voice teachers call effective musicing or artistic vocal production.  Notice that in I Corinthians 14:15 singing is volitional since St Paul said “I will” in the first person.  Regardless of which view a Christian musician takes on the meaning of the word pneuma in this context, it stands to reason that the singer, as an act of his or her will, must purpose to seek God’s anointing and engage the emotions that come from his or her human spirit that is responding volitionally to God who is worthy of all praise. 

            Emotional meaning does not merely happen because a song has a text.  Whether the song is secular or sacred music, text is brought to life, becomes very meaningful, and brings understanding to the hearer through the doer’s doing.  This understanding is brought about through the singer’s cognitive understanding of the meaning of the text and his or her emotional rendering of that text vocally by engaging body, mind, and spirit in the musical performance.  The singer, very much on purpose, chooses to express text meaningfully engaging everything that has been mentioned in the discussion above.