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.
Mr. Wolf,
ReplyDeleteI am a newcomer to your blog. I am curious of your philosophy of contemporary music and it's place in Christian Worship. In other posts you seem to be against it's use. I don't see a difference between music styles. What is the difference between say....classical and modern or hymns or anything else? Wasn't all music popular music at the time it as relevant? (relevant for lack of better word. Not meaning irrelevant now.) At one one time was't all music new and looked upon as a fad or unwanted by the established culture? Please understand I am not trying to argumentative just curious. I have been on a search of music and it's function in worship and christian life. I don't see a style difference in the Bible but I do see a heart difference in what's behind the music.