Viewing Music through “Christian Eyes”

Viewing Music through “Christian Eyes”

One of the shortcomings of music education both in secular and religious settings has been the lack of educating students multi-culturally. Christian musicians have too often viewed music through “Western” eyes.  There are musics from many cultures that do not violate Bible principles of musicing.  If a type of music does not violate Christian principles then it is redeemable in Christian culture. One of the objectives of a Christian music education philosophy (CMEP) is to study musics of other world cultures and evaluate them in light of Christocentric music aesthetic.  All too often CMEP has excluded the study of any music that is not clearly Western and follows the rules of music of the Occident.  Christian music educators must not look at non-Western music through “Western eyes” but rather through “Christian eyes” recognizing that many styles of music are redeemable if they do not violate biblical principles of musicing or  are closely related to anti-Christ culture.

 Every Christian music educator should be reminded that the music notation of the entire Old Testament (the te’amim) does not follow the rules of music of the *Occident, yet no one could say that the music of the Bible does not follow its own precepts. All the Old Testament was notated long before and without the influence of the music of the Occident. (See chapter 8 of Music of the Bible in Christian Perspective)

 

Our Responsibility to Teach Our Children

We Must teach Our Own

              Since there are many verses in the Bible like I Chronicles 16:23, Psalm 96:1, and Psalm 144:9 that command us to sing and play music unto God, it only stands to reason that it is our responsibility to teach our children and youth to do so properly. With this in mind, it seems strange to me that so many Christian elementary, secondary schools and Christian colleges and universities graduate students with no music classes or only a class or two that are actually music courses.  

             Christian higher education must give music its historic place  since musicing is a primary means of worshipping God as well as being a *concomitant to the preaching of God’s Word.  Therefore, not only undergraduate music majors, but also ministerial, missions, elementary, and secondary education majors etc. need a dedicated study of music before they enter the world of work.  The reason that college students need a serious study of music is that that in adult life they will be catechizing and or educating worshipers. All worshipers will be involved in worshiping God with music therefore, knowing how to worship will require knowing how to music unto God. This specificity in education can only be given by an educated Christian music educator because one who does not know Christ personally is not capable of teaching others how to music the God he or she does not love and worship.

 

Blended Music before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 3

Blended Music before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 3

        Many fundamentalist churches have shortened or removed revivals, camp meetings and evangelistic campaigns from their schedule of public services.  These same churches sing a repertoire of praise songs on Sunday morning and Sunday evening and at the midweek service, with little or no songs that catechize the audience in the cardinal doctrines of the church.  When should the church music present the claims of the gospel and give people an opportunity to come to know Christ by a personal profession of faith?

             It seems that, if the modern fundamentalist churches are attempting to be seeker sensitive, they need to add an element of evangelism to their worship musicing in order for it to be a proper concomitant to the preaching of Christ crucified.  I want to emphasize again that I believe praise and worship music must hold a place of centrality in all the public services of the Assembly of Believers.  However, although praise music is fundamental to Christian worship, so is the exposition of the other cardinal doctrines of the church.

 

 

Blended Music before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 2

Blended Music before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 2

       Although there are numbers of these songs that have been written is the past 100 years or so are anything but “classics”, time has already shown that they are not the only religious songs that often rightfully fall into obscurity after a short period of popularity.  At this point in time there is an emphasis on worship music that centers almost entirely on God with little or no content about man’s relationship to God.  The claims of the gospel are purposefully omitted from the bulk of praise and worship choruses.

Certainly, praise to God is not an option but rather a necessity for worship musicing.  However, as I have said often, so are songs of prayer, confession, contrition, the Trinity, Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, the second coming, and a host of other doctrinal and creedal content.

       So, the gospel hymns written by the hymnists listed in yesterday’s post were an integral part of the Moody, Sankey worship and evangelistic services.  Louis F. Benson notes that, “Their work [the gospel hymn] was appropriated in Dwight L. Moody’s English campaign and his later call upon American churches to add evangelism to worship.”  The Hymnody of the Christian Church, by Louis F. Benson, p.266   The concept of having an element of evangelism and fundamental doctrines of the church as a part of public worship is not popular in many churches today.  My philosophical question to those who oppose an element of evangelism in worship is, “Just when are songs that teach fundamental doctrines and have an evangelistic appeal appropriate for the modern audience?”

 

Blended Music before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 1

Blended Music before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 1

       About 100 years before blended music for worship became popular in public worship as part of the worship the worship renewal movement, Elisha A. Hoffman wrote the words to “What a Wonderful Savior”.  This song may be defined as a gospel hymn.  There are several definitions given for the gospel hymn by various authors.  These definitions run from a “mixture song” which includes praise to God mixed with clear fundamentalist doctrine to “simple songs with an elaborate chorus”.  Some of the definitions that I have found have been positive but others are very negative considerations of this musical genre especially because they stress adherence to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.

        Notably, the early gospel hymns were developed first by George Root (1820-1895), William Howard Doane (1832-1915), Robert Lowery (1826-1899), Philip Bliss (1838-1876), et al.  There have been a host of writers who have produced these mixture songs in the 20^th century.  Some current writers are particularly negative about gospel songs that exhibit clear fundamentalist doctrine and the fact that these songs are quite simple harmonically.

 

Is your ship under God’s Control?—part 2

Is your ship under God’s Control?—part 2  

       Verse seventeen of James chapter 3 states, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”  Wow! Ouch!  Verse five warns, “Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth.”

       Every time in my life that I have had the good sense to keep my mouth shut, I have been glad later.  There are four words that I have learned over the years that have helped me.  They are, “It just doesn’t matter.”  In the light of what words do to relationships, most things really do not matter as much as we think they do when the waves of adversity and disagreement are blowing. What we need to do in these times is let the blessed Holy Spirit be our rudder to help us stay out of “foot in mouth disease”.

 

Is your ship under God’s Control?—part 1

Is your ship under God’s Control?—part 1   

       James 3:4 states, “Behold also the ships, which though they be great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.”

       When I visited my son-in-law Mark Mander and his wife Deanna, my oldest daughter, I walked by the sea shore in Northern Ireland in the early morning.  The waves were crashing against the sea wall as they sent the sea spray high into the air.  Although it was an awesome sight, I was very glad that I was on dry land rather than in a boat that morning.

       James 3:4 reminds us that ships, although driven in one direction by the wind, are easily turned around by a very small rudder.  A horse may also be turned to the left or right by a tug on the bit in his mouth.  It is odd that you can turn a ship or a powerful horse completely around at the will of the one in control, but sometimes Christian musicians override the gentle checks of the Holy Spirit when he nudges the musician to keep him or her out of trouble.

       If we can easily turn a ship around in fierce winds and huge waves, the Christian musician should be able, with the ‘tugs” of the Holy Spirit, to control what he or she says.  This Scripture clearly teaches that the musician needs the Lord’s help in governing his or her life.

 

 

The Musician’s Tower

The Musician’s Tower

       II Samuel 22:3 states, “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior, thou savest me from violence.” 

       The first site that I wanted to in Paris was the Eifel Tower.  We arrived at the tower just before they turned on the tower lights at dusk.  The tower is beautiful all the time, but it is awesome at night when the lights outline the entire tower.  The tower looked big from a distance, but when stood directly under the tower it was very huge!

       I don’t know how many times I have read this scripture but it never stood out to me until I had seen the Eifel Tower.  Now I have a much clearer mental picture of God as my high tower.  He is bigger and stronger than the Eifel Tower.  He is the God who is above all false gods.  Now I understand that the false gods of the world are like those little key chains which have a small metal tower hooked to them with a chain.

       Everyone has a rock.  It may be a crumbling rock or a bunch of pebbles.  Let me remind you that God is your Rock and strong tower.  Since He is so high and lifted up, strong and mighty, He towers above all your troubles.  He will be your refuge and Savior. The Christian musician’s tower is the rock Christ Jesus.  There is no other tower as strong as our God.  The Christian musician is anchored deeply on the strong rock and tower Christ Jesus.

       When we got to the Eifel Tower it was raining and the wind was blowing.  However when we got completely under the tower, we were sheltered from the cold night rain in Paris.  I did not want to leave the protection of this magnificent tower.  However, I had too because the others I was traveling with wanted to see more of the magnificent city or Paris.

       Praise God, we never have to leave the protection of our strong, high and mighty tower Christ Jesus our Lord.  I cannot understand why any musician would willingly journey through this life without the strength and protection of our tower which is Jesus our Lord.

 

 

 

Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

            "Gospel music has become very popular in recent years. Unfortunately, there are people involved in gospel music today who have no acquaintance with the gospel itself. The truth is that without the good news of Jesus Christ, there is no hope, no matter how much money a person may have earned in the music industry and how well they are known. Without Jesus there is no joy and no peace. The world testifies to that every day. So many celebrities have all the things this world has ...to offer, yet they have to stay drugged up to keep going. When you have Jesus, you don’t need escapism, because you can give your burdens to him and have hope not just for the here and now, but for eternal life.

            Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field; but you can’t go higher than the gospel! There are songwriters who try to write lyrics for gospel songs that are general enough to cross over into mainstream music, and so the gospel message is watered down. Whether we sing gospel music, or listen to it, we need to be a partaker in what we’re singing about. The next time you’re singing a gospel tune, whether the song sings the Lord’s praises or tells about the attributes of God and what he’s done in a person’s life, or shares the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, think of the words you are singing – or writing – and let them come from a heart of gratitude for all that he has done!" ~ Pastor Jim Cymbala

 

Scriptures for the Day

Scriptures for the Day

Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

 1Peter 2:6, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

Singing about Our Chief Corner Stone

Singing about Our Chief Corner Stone

            My Son in law  Rev. Mark Mander sent me the quote below by pastor Jim Cymbala some tie ago and I have been thinking about it ever since.  It is one thing to sing about Christ but it is totally another to have a personal relationship with the Christ about whom you are singing!  We as Christian musicians need to be sure that when we sing the gospel we are worshiping Christ rather than the gospel music.  A Christian should never sing or play sacred music for his or her aggrandizement.  As you will see when you read the quotation below, pastor Cymbala got it right when he said, “Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field…”  Gospel music should never be used by a musician as a stepping stone.  The gospel message should never be a stone to step upon because it is the message of our Chief “corner stone” Christ Jesus.

 

Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”  Romans 12:2, “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.”

            Christian musicians need to be very wise in this post postmodern world. As a matter of fact, Scripture admonishes Christians to be as wise as a snake.  I have found out that is very hard to fool a snake or to slip up on him.  You can try, but it probably will not work.  It is his wisdom that keeps him alive in the unfriendly world around him.  Although Christian musicians should not live a life of negativity, they must never forget that this world is not a friend of grace.

            I am so glad that the Holy Writ is always balanced.  This verse In Matthew teaches Christians that we can be as harmless as a dove and at the same time be wise as a snake when we make musical choices.  My dad used to say, “Believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear.”  I believe that this is good advice for Christian musicians.  Just because you observe some music practice, you should not take at as the right thing to do musically.  Furthermore, do not let the world squeeze you into its latest music praxis because some church musician says that it is the right thing to do to insure you of getting your “market share”.  Christian musicians should always exhibit a holy and harmless attitude, but they should, at the same time, watch their backs when taking musical advice.

Anti-Music--reprise

Anti-Music

            I believe that this name anti-music was originally a term tending to use irony or mockery to represent the negativism of some musical compositions of the 20rh century. It was also a term discussed in a music web site called antimusic. As far as I can tell the name originally came from a coined term in the book Broken Record: The Inside Story of the Grammy Awards by Henry Schipper.  Schipper recounts in this book that the Academy and their awards program were initially set up as the old-line music biz’s answer to the growth of Rock n’ Roll, a form of music they considered “Anti-Music”.   Perhaps another way to look at the meaning of this word is to consider it any form of music that defies convention to such a degree that some people would not recognize it as musical or a legitimate music genre.  Perhaps a better understanding of this term would be any form of music intended to overthrow traditional conventions and expectations.   Some other related considerations of anti-music could possibly be anti-genre music or noise-music.

            Noise-music is a form of so-called music that some would consider to be the “expressive” use of noise or distortion within the context of what the composer or arranger considers to be “music” or “anti-music” music. This type of composition challenges the distinction between musical and non-musical sound. It is directly related to the 20^th century philosophy off the destruction of music absolutes.

            Where am I heading with this discussion?  The purpose is not to get entangled in the controversy over whether anti-music is music or not.  The purpose of this very brief mention of anti-music it to point out that it was not developed by God fearing Christian musicians who were desiring to worship God with a genera of music that negated the elements of traditional Western music.  Therefore, it is misguided for a Church musician to entangle public worship with such styles of music.  Such entanglement is one of Satan’s stratagems for squeezing religious music into the world’s mold.

 

Quote for the Day

                                              Quote for the Day

 Finding Truth in a World of Musical Deception

“Everyone has a music philosophy, but even some of the greatest of minds have twisted the truth and implemented unbiblical ideas in regards to music. This paper is a result of my search for a musical philosophy based on Biblical truth. It will discuss the value of music in the whole life of a Christian and role of music in the church, school, and home.”

by Rachelle Wolf, used by permission.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

 James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Prayer for the Day   

I want to take time to praise you Lord for all the wonderful things You have done for me spiritually.  Please help me to realize how wonderful your gifts to me really are from day to day.  Help me to know how to love and trust You more and cause the enemy of my soul to flee at the sound of your inspired word.  These things I pray In your precious name.  Amen. 

Song for the Day   “A closer Walk with Thee”  by Haldor Lillenas. 

Thought for the Day 

When Satan comes around and begins to accuse and depress you read Scripture to Him.

Coming Boldly to God—part 2

Coming Boldly to God—part 2

       What does it mean that Christ makes intercession for us?  The Greek word enthugchano (1793) which has been translated intercession in Romans 8:34 signifies one who entreats or confers with another.  So, Christ is at this very moment in the presence of our heavenly Father conferring or entreating God the Father on our behalf. 

       Christian musician you can and should come boldly before the throne of grace in order that Christ may obtain mercy and grace for you.  In the middle of your busy December, with all the activities of the advent season, you can obtain God’s mercy just when you need it most.  It is a wonderful thing to know that you may also obtain abundant grace from your heavenly Father because Jesus is praying for you right now.  

       What will God’s grace do for you?  It will give you the precise help that you need to be an over-comer during this Christmas season.  Christian musician, our heavenly Father has made provision for you to make it through this exceedingly busy time of year—and for all the year through for that matter.  He has more than enough grace and mercy to take care of all of his children.  He is as close as the mention of His name.  However, you must remember to go to Him with your needs.

  

Coming Boldly to God—part 1

Coming Boldly to God—part 1 
 

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.”  

       Why are we admonished to come boldly unto Christ in our time of need?  We can come boldly unto Jesus because He is our high priest (vs. 15).  Romans 8:34 assures the believer that Christ who died for us is “at the right hand of God, who maketh intercession for us”. 

       Christ who has the power and authority to condemn us is sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for us with the Father.    Hebrews 9:24 explains further, “for Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” 

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank you Jesus for conferring with the Father on my behalf.  Please give me the needed mercy and grace in order that I may have sufficient help during this Christmas Season.  I know and You know that I must have your help if I am going to be an over-comer spiritually during this busy season.  Thank you again that you are right now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for me.  These things I bring to You because although you have the power and right to condemn me, You are instead, praying for me.  I love you Lord.  Amen. 

Song for the Day “I Must Tell Jesus” by Elisha Hoffman 

Thought for the Day

I was always much more brave when my older brother Nathan was with me.  Don’t forget that Jesus your older brother is with you if you are a Christian.

 

Called to Music unto God—part 2

Called to Music unto God—part 2

       Many Christian musicians have never been catechized in a theology of music ministry that espouses the biblically sound basis for the belief that musicians are actually called to “prophesy” in the same manner that pastors, evangelists and missionaries are called out by the Holy Spirit. All Christian musicians who are called out to music ministry are given the responsibility to serve God with their musicing.  These called out musicians must consider their musicing to be a “sacred trust”.

       Do you consider your musicing to be a sacred trust?  Do you understand that you have been separated by the Holy Ghost to serve God through the medium of music?  There is not a single reason to deny the fact that musicing unto God is a sacred trust.  Understanding the nature and value the import of being separated to serve God through the great god given art of music will go a long way in helping a Christian musician to understand the nature and value of his or her existence in this life.

 

Called to Music unto God—part 1

Called to Music unto God—part 1

I Chronicles 25:1A states, “Moreover David and the captain of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals…”  

       There is no doubt about it the Levite musicians were called out, separated or appointed to prophesy with their musicing unto God.  Not only Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun but also their sons were called to present God’s message through the art of music.  Christian musician you are not called to merely perform and direct religious music or merely lead others in musical performance, but you are called to present God’s message through music.  In this sense you are called to “prophesy” i.e. to present God’s message to the people with the anointing and passion given to you by the Holy Spirit.

A Vision of God

A Vision of God    

Isaiah 6:1 states, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” 

       Isaiah dated his vision of God by remembering the year that king Uzziah died.  Many times we cannot see a vision of God until the kings in our life are gone.  Do you have anything that is “king” in your life that would keep you from seeing the Lord Adonay (136) who is the sovereign controller of the universe?  If so, the real king Adonay will not be able to be the sovereign king of your heart.

       When Isaiah saw a vision of who Adonay is, he was able to see himself in proper perspective.  Many church musicians not only have trouble seeing God high and lifted up and worthy of service and worship, but also have trouble seeing themselves  undone and needing the cleansing with the coals from off of the altar of God.

       Do not let the following “kings”: self-righteousness, self-actualization, charisma, performance worship, glitz, glamour, self-aggrandizement, and self-preservation keep you from receiving a proper vision of Adonay who is the sovereign controller of the universe.  Remember that all the false kings of a musician’s life must be dead before he or she will be able to see a proper vision of God.

A Platform for Personal Preference

A Platform for Personal Preference

            Public music worship should not be a platform for the pastor’s or the minister of music’s personal tastes in music.  The assembly of believers does not gather to receive a music lesson on J. S. Bach or acapella choral techniques or to revisit the oratorios of Handel, Mendelssohn and Gounod.  Neither is the purpose of congregational singing to keep the hymns of Watts, Wesley and Fanny Crosby alive. Special singing is not an opportunity to fan the minister of music’s latent desire to sing bass in a famous southern gospel quartet or a country gospel band.  Richard S. Taylor sums up the matter quite well in his book A Return to Christian Culture,
            “The fact that some people may like this or that is not sufficient reason for the church to use it.  The church should lead the way in such standards, not objectly follow every fad and custom which happens to be “in” at the moment.  The Church has no business adopting the philosophy, “If you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em.”  We should be governed by basic and eternal principles.  There are music forms, whether secular or sacred, which create moods of pensiveness, or idealism, or awareness of beauty, of aspiration, and of holy joyousness.  There are forms of music which create moods of recklessness and sensual excitement.  Surely it doesn’t take much judgement to know which forms are most appropriate for religious function.”

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

It is a good thing for parents to require pre-teens to have daily musical practice and daily Bible reading.

Young Musicians Be Careful

Young Musicians Be Careful

Proverbs 7:1-2, “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.  Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.”

            Solomon admonishes young people to keep God’s commandments when they are young.  I know from teaching young people for over forty years that the habits that young musicians establish in their pre-teen years can either be a great help or hindrance to Christian living in their teen years.  A young person who has the discipline to get up in the morning and practice a musical instrument will often have the discipline to read the Bible and pray regularly.  This discipline is not a given but it often makes consistent attending to the means of grace regular habit of life.

            Young musicians should also “lay up” God’s commandments in their minds.  When cognitions take place they are first stored in the electrical memory of the brain.  When one consistently thinks on God’s laws this information become more permanent as the brain experiences chemical changes.  So, as cognitions take place in the brain as a person reads the Bible, that young person is actually establishing a firewall against the ploys of Satan in the future.

            Matthew Pool’s Commentary explains that, “As the apple of thine eye; with all possible care and diligence, as men guard that part from all dangers, yea, even from the least mote. The eye is a most noble and necessary, and therefore highly esteemed and beloved, part of the body, and the apple thereof is the most honourable, and beautiful, and useful part of that part, and it is a most tender part, easily hurt, or destroyed, and therefore needs to be diligently watched.”  So, young Christian musicians should protect what their eyes observe and only store those things that will be a concomitant to the changed life principles taught in the Bible.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Matthew 19:20, “The young man saith unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” What this young man lacked was a willingness to give what he possessed back to God. He kept the rules but he had evidently not been taught to submit what he considered to be his own back to God.

Giving Our Talents Back to God

Giving Our Talents Back to God

 I believe that every child is given musical talent by our loving heavenly Father. Mothers and fathers you have the responsibility to give your children an opportunity to develop their musical talents and at an early age give those talents back to God!  That is what really matters because children learn musically by doing.  If you want your sons and daughters to give their musical talents to God in adulthood, make sure their early memories of going to church include musicing unto Him.

My first memories of going to church include my mother practicing songs with me and praying with me, and the preacher lifting me up on a chair behind the pulpit to sing special music about Jesus.  I have told you all this to remind all of you Christian parents that your children’s musical training really matters.  No matter what you have or do not have, the things that matter are not “things”.  Whatever it takes, make sure that your children receive a quality music education and that you provide them opportunities to give their musical talents back to the God who gave them to your children.  

Where is the Written Music in This Hymn Book?

Where is the Written Music in This Hymn Book?

 I have traveled some in Europe and have noticed that many of their congregational song books do not have printed music in them.  I have also noticed that although the people usually participate wholeheartedly in congregational singing, most of them sing only the melody.  When I am in Europe I miss hearing a worshiping congregation singing parts because my logical German mind desires to experience the congregation singing the harmonies that the musical instruments are playing when we sing.  Not all people who hear a part are capable of reading music.

 I suspect the reason that some worshipers can hear a part i.e. audiate it without having music reading skills is simply that they grew up hearing others, who could read the parts in the hymn book, sing parts during the worship service.  If hymn books do not contain written music, congregations are not encouraged to sing parts.  When congregations do not sing parts, the next generation of worshipers probably will probably not sing parts.  So within a generation or two a fellowship of believers will doubtlessly have lost most of their propensity to sing parts.  I submit that it is not necessary for a congregation of believers to sing parts during musical worship, but losing the ability to do so will certainly impoverish public musical worship. 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

As I have often said, The church musician must not only know about musicing unto God but also must know God by having his or sins forgiven and having passed from death unto life by God’s saving power.

 

 

The Word of Christ-part 2

The Word of Christ-part 2

            There is also another companion passage found in Ephesians 5:19-21, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

            I would like to take a brief moment to remind Christian musicians of the main reasons for our musicing.  First, we must always music “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  The Greek word used here is kurios (2962) which connotes supreme authority, or the one who is the Christian’s Savior, Lord and Master.  Christian musicians often tend to get lost in the fact that they are giving a music performance or that they work for and represent a particular church or Christian organization. All of the above may be true, but a Christian musician’s supreme authority is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Second, the Christian musician who is performing the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs does so as a vehicle for giving thanks to God the Father by the mediatorial agency of God the Son. Third, our performances are “submitted” (hupotasso 523), performances unto God and His people.  These performances are not event opportunities for a musician to hock his or her musical wares. Forth, (Colossians 3:16) a musician who performs or leads others in sacred music must have the grace (charis 5485) God in his or her heart.  This Scripture is not referring to man’s charisma or the joy of performance but rather God’s grace.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

How can a Christian musician get around the Bible mandate of “whatsoever” when he or she performs secular music that by its enactment brings reproach on what the Bible teaches about changed life principles?  Risqué art that glorifies loose living is wrong even though the performer is acting.

 

The Word of Christ-part 1

                The Word of Christ-part 1

            Colossians 3:16-17 teaches, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  Many speakers and writers miss the lessons taught in these verses because many skip these verses in their comments or at least they make little or no mention of the music lessons taught here.  I suspect they were so intent on getting to the eighteenth verse so that they could once again tell women to submit that they miss the musical import of these verses in Colossians chapter 3. 
            Men are normally the ones who have trouble submitting.  Everyone who musics unto God must submit his or her musicing unto God.  I have often considered the topic of the problem of Christian musicians maintaining ownership of their music and musicing.  Without going to hat topic deeply today let me simply remind us all that we, as Christian musicians, are not owners of the great art of music but rather ministering servants.  Furthermore, “…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.”  It is shocking to many Christian musician that all of a Christian’s musicing, both secular and sacred, must come under the Lordship of Christ. 

Thought for the day-

Thought for the day-

       If you find that you have lots of days that “His Song” is not on your mind then, on purpose, put it there. You should music unto God when you do not feel like it.  If you do, then it will not be very long until you will feel like musicing unto God.

Night Song-part 2

Night Song-part 2 

       Christian musician have you ever considered just how important your musical ministry is?  You are implanting (hopefully) the LORD’s song into the hearts, minds and lives of children, teenagers and adults.  If you are truly sharing “His Songs” with those you minister too, this song will be a guardian, guide and stabilizer to them throughout their lives as long as they remember the truth contained in them.

       Every time you minister musically to saints or sinners you are implanting a vital means of grace, to be forever stored in the minds of all who hear the blessed message of Christ crucified, risen and seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for them.  So, today is a wonderful day because you will have the opportunity to sing or play “His song” to some needy soul.  Do not hoard “His Song” but rather share it today with those around you!

 

      

Scripture for the Day

Scripture for the Day

Job 35:10, “But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?”

Night Song-part 1

Night Song-part 1

Psalm 42: 8 states, “Yet the LORD will command his loving kindness in the daytime and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

       Today is a wonderful day because it is a gift from God.  God has given us another day to love and worship Him.  This verse of scripture assures us that we will have His loving kindness throughout both the day and the night.  We hill not just have His love and kindness part of the time but rather ALL of the time.  It does not matter where we are because distance is not material to God. The self-existent, independent, autonomous, eternal God is alive and is watching over his children. 

       The LORD’s song will abide with us every moment of the day and night.  There are literally millions of songs that can captivate our attention but none are as important as “His Song”  because this song not only contains truth but also embodies truth.  His song will comfort and guide throughout every moment of the Christian musician’s life. 

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day

 Lord, I know that I will come through all things by the power of the indwelling Spirit, not my talent or my musical performance.  Father teach me how to draw closer to You and to lead others into a closer walk with You by musicing unto God. This I am praying.  Amen.

A Heart Made Ready

A Heart Made Ready

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

            It is no mystery that in death we can be separated from God if we are not prepared spiritually to meet Him.  However, life many times separates Christian musicians from God.  Living does not have to pull us away from God but it can!  The cares of this life can slowly but surely move us further and further away from God.  On the contrary, living each moment in the hallow of His mighty hand can draw us closer to our heavenly Father.

            Another warning of this scripture passage is that created things can separate us from God if we let them.  Music is a created thing for we know that in the beginning God created music.  Music, a created thing, has drawn many Christian’s hearts away from God.

            When Christian musicians worship music instead of using musicing as a means of grace to draw Christians closer to Christ, music becomes a god- an idol.  Christian musicians must remember God’s commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) 

            God will not share His glory with a practicing musician hocking his or her artistic wares in front of the body of Christ.  If we as musicians want to be overcomers or more than conquerors we will use musicing as a means of grace and never as a means to draw attention to ourselves or the art of music.

Is Your Life Submitted?

Submission by C. Austin Miles

1. The path that I have trod, has brought me nearer God, 

though oft it led through sorrows gates.

Though not the way I'd choose, in my way I might lose,

the joy that yet for me awaits. 

[Chorus]

Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go.

For who am I that I should choose my way.

The Lord will choose for me, 'tis better far I know.

So let him bid me go; or stay. 

2. The cross that I must bear, if I a crown would wear,

is not the cross that I would take.

But since on me 'tis laid, I'll take it unafraid;

and bear it for the Master's sake. 

3 Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go.

For who am I that I should choose my way.  

My soul shall rise above this world in which I move;

I conquer only when I yield.  

            This gospel song is one of my favorites. It sort-of tells part of my life story for the first verse says,” Though not the way I'd choose” is true of my youthful choices.  I wanted to be a life-stock auctioneer.  When I was a boy I attended many life-stock auctions and learned how to “cry” an auction.  So, becoming a music educator was not my first choice for a life-long career. 

            However, God had a much different plan for my life. As I look back on my life I can sing with all my heart, “Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go.  For who am I that I should choose my way.”  Although being a life-stock auctioneer would have been a fine profession, it was not God’s will for my life!  When I was making plans to be an auctioneer I was not a Christian.  When I yielded my life to Christ I found out that “I conquer only when I yield”.

 

 

Prayer for this Blog in July

Prayer for this Blog in July

            I want to thank You Lord and Father for the three new countries last month that brings the totals to 118 countries that are a part of our blog family.  It is my sincere and earnest prayer let this blog will go around the world to places where I cannot go.  Lord, thank You that You are answering my prayer by guiding people from 118 countries to find and read my blog posts. Please continue to help me in 2016 as I prepare a post for each day to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

            Only You know Lord who is out there ministering musically that needs a fresh anointing for musical ministry.  Help me to know which philosophical and devotional thoughts will help these busy pastors and musicians.  Lord, as I continue to develop posts for the month of June, I am not sure which aspects of music education and music ministry to write about that will stimulate and encourage the blog family.  Please anoint the blog, the blogger, and the blog readers during 2016. If it is your will I am asking that the number of page views will increase during each month.  Lord, I am praying that you will help the content editors for the two books that they are now editing and making final preparations so they can be sent to the publisher.  These things I ask in your great and wise and wonderful name.  Amen.

 

Thank you for a Great Month of June

       Thank you for a Great Month of June

            This month was the 42^nd month of my blog which contained devotional and philosophical thoughts for Christian musicians. I have written over 2,472 posts since this blog was started in January of 2013. There have been several times this year when I have experienced a certain amount of writer’s burnout.  However, I am praying that my posts in 2016 will stimulate both the regular and new blog members to remain faithful to their musical Ministeries. It is my continued prayer that each new post will bring honor to our heavenly Father in 2016.  The over 1,200 page views of my blog this month were experienced by people who read a mixture of philosophical and devotional thoughts.  

       Since we began on January 2 of 2013 we have received a total of over 70,800 page views with over 1200 views in May which is about 100 less than we had in May of 2016.  Since I started this blog the page views have come from 118 different countries. 

            These views have come from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Argentina, Armenia, Angola,  Aruba, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Colombia, Congo [DRC], Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong,  Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland (Republic of),  Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia,  Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands (Antilles) New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Oman, Palestine, Paraguay, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru. Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Porto Rico, Qatar, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand,  Tunisia, Turkey, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, USA and Zimbabwe .  We would like to welcome Jamaica, Mauritius, Palestine and Tunisia, which had their first page views this month, to our blog family.

             The ten countries with the most page views this month were: USA, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, France, China, Philippines, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Poland.

          If you are from a country that has had page views in the past 42 months and has been omitted from the 118 countries listed above, please email me your country’s name.  Please pray with me that God will allow this Music Philosophy Blog to continue to go places where I will never have the opportunity to minister musically in person. Please pray for me, as I have mentioned before, I am in the process of writing a general music philosophy book and a devotional book for musicians. My philosophy book is now in the hands of the content editor. Please pray the editor of the devotional book is in the process of moving to Scotland and is very busy at this time.

       Once again I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to view my music philosophy blog during the month of June and a special thanks is in order to those countries that faithfully view this blog month after month.  Please continue to pray that God will guide each post and allow it to reach those who need encouragement to keep ministering for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  

The main reason that I started this Music Philosophy blog is that, although there is much music philosophy information on the net, not very much of it is from a biblical perspective.  Please share the blog address with your friends.   If you have an area of music or fine arts philosophy that troubles you, please feel free to let me know and I will include it in our discussions.  My email address is Garenlwolf@gmail.com.