Can
Christian musicians who are in the process of developing a Christocentric Bible
based music philosophy learn from non-Christian music philosophers? The answer is an emphatic yes! Not every aspect of music philosophy
purported by worldly non-Christian music philosophy will be in conflict with
Christian philosophy in general or specifically with what the Bible teaches. When a music philosopher’s thoughts are
worthy of consideration and are congruent with Christian thought, a Christian
musician may consider them for incorporation in his or her music philosophy. As
a caution, please allow me to return to St. Paul’s discourse on philosophy. In1Corinthians 1:25, he warns that the
Christian philosopher should stand firm “Because the foolishness of God is
wiser (sophos) than men; and the
weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Some Christian musicians seem to have forgotten just how strong the
wisdom of God is.
1Peter
4:1 addresses the issue of philosophical mindset before and after becoming a
Christian. He explains that the world
will not be happy with much of Christ centered philosophy when he states, “Forasmuch
then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with
the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin…” He later warns Christians in 1Peter 4:4-5, “Wherein they think it
strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of
you: who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the
dead.” So the Christian music
philosopher should get prepared to be misunderstood and spoken evil of by
worldly music philosophers. At the same
time Christian music philosophers should embrace worthy philosophical thought
and reject that which is not congruent with a Christocentric Bible based music worldview.
No comments:
Post a Comment