Tracing Music’s Origin—part 8

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 8

            Where do Christian musicians get the philosophical notion that all aspects of Christian living EXCEPT MUSIC must come under the Lordship of Christ?  They get this philosophy from Thomas Aquinas who had an incomplete view of the fall.  He believed that man had fallen from grace, but that he had not fallen in his intellect.  Therefore, man could develop a philosophical view of all things that relate to nature, that was independent of the Lordship of Christ.  With this faulty praxial view music, which rightly should be placed under nature instead of grace, becomes autonomous. 

So now in the twenty-first century, an increasing number of Christian musicians have come to the conclusion that there are no “musts” or “absolutes” in our religious music?  Are there any “musts” or “absolutes” in our Christian relationship to God?  Christ said in St. John 3:7 “marvel not that I say unto thee, ye must be born again.”  In Matthew 5:20, Christ stated, “For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”  This list of absolutes could be multiplied by many, many verses, all of which sound very absolute to me.  What would lead a Christian musician to believe that, when it comes to music making, there are no absolutes?  One thing I will tell you for sure is that all philosophical thoughts concerning music and all music making comes under the absolute authority of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Church music not only matters, but it matters to God.  The how, why, when, where and to whom of Church Music Matters to God. 

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 7

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 7

            It has been said that Jesus will be Lord of all or He will not be Lord at all.  Music philosophy and all music making must fall under the Lordship of Christ if it is to be Spirit led.  The musical discourse in Ephesians 5:6-19 reminds the spirit filled musician that he or she must prove “what is acceptable unto the Lord.”

            Many Christian musicians act as if the Lord doesn’t have anything to say about music philosophy or music making.  Some Christian musicians believe that all forms of music making and all music philosophies are acceptable unto the lord and, furthermore, that there are no absolutes in music philosophy or music making.  Ephesians 5:9-10 states, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”  What scriptural basis would lead a Christian musician to believe that in church music all forms and styles of music making are acceptable unto the Lord? 

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 6

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 6

            Why all this fuss about music history?  The import of this discussion is simply that in the beginning God created music.  It is my belief that it is possible God revealed the te’amim to the ancient Bible authors who wrote both music and words as a unit.  

            It is imperative that all philosophical basis of music begins with God’s creation, which includes music, and God’s ownership which includes music.  To the Christian, all forms of music come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Colossians 1:16-18 states, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

            St. John 1:3 further explains that “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”  Once there was no music.  God was before music.  God wanted music so He made music.  No one else made music.  Therefore, no one but God has true ownership of music.  The Christian musician should get rid of the sense of ownership of music.  No spirit filled musician, or any musician for that matter, has the right to say this is my music

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 5

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 5

            As we review the recent history of music history treatices, we see that finally archaeology is now forcing music historians to retain God in their knowledge.  Grout basically fails to recognize the authenticity of Bible music, and seems to lean toward the “real” history of music beginning with the Greeks.  Borroff doesn’t do any better with her analysis of the beginnings of music.  By the time of Stolba’s book the evidence is overwhelming that, based on the evidence available, Western music as we know it most probably did not start in the West, but rather in the Near East.  If they had listened to Plato or if they had believed what the Bible teaches about music, historians could have avoided much of these misconceptions.  Most certainly a careful study of the te’amim would have proven a written music long before the existing Greek fragments.

            So, after much confusion, musicologists are now face to face with the fact that the notation of Bible music is authentic and that it is very ancient.  Music historians now realize that the Ugaritic notation is 1400 to 1500 years older than the Greek fragments and that Bible music notation is at least 3000 years old.  Depending on when the te’amim were developed, written Bible music may be much older than the 3000 years date given by Stolba.

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 4

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 4

            In 1960, Donald Grout published his famous, A History of Western Music.  In this treatise, Grout is careful not to be specific concerning the origins of music.  He attributes the beginning of Western art music to the Christian church.  He also states that “Greek mythology ascribed to music a divine origin and named its inventors and earliest practitioners gods and demigods, such as Apollo, Amphion, and Orpheus.”  He also mentions Old Testament references to music but does not recognize Bible music as authentic knowledge concerning the beginnings of music.  In 1971, Edith Borroff published, Music in Europe and the United States.  She begins her treatise on music history with “Speculation on the beginnings of music is endlessly fascinating, but no certainty is even likely to come to it.” In 1990, K. Marie Stolba published, The Development of Western Music History. She begins this treatise on music history by reminding history students that “Plato placed the origin of music in creation, and numerous legends present music as a gift of the gods or the invention of one of them.” She begins chapter one by acknowledging the music of Ugarit and the te’amim (musical notation) of the Bible.

            In 1960, Donald Grout published his famous, A History of Western Music.  In this treatise, Grout is careful not to be specific concerning the origins of music.  He attributes the beginning of Western art music to the Christian church.  He also states that “Greek mythology ascribed to music a divine origin and named its inventors and earliest practitioners gods and demigods, such as Apollo, Amphion, and Orpheus.”  He also mentions Old Testament references to music but does not recognize Bible music as authentic knowledge concerning the beginnings of music.  In 1971, Edith Borroff published, Music in Europe and the United States.  She begins her treatise on music history with “Speculation on the beginnings of music is endlessly fascinating, but no certainty is even likely to come to it.” In 1990, K. Marie Stolba published, The Development of Western Music History. She begins this treatise on music history by reminding history students that “Plato placed the origin of music in creation, and numerous legends present music as a gift of the gods or the invention of one of them.” She begins chapter one by acknowledging the music of Ugarit and the te’amim (musical notation) of the Bible.

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 3

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 3

            Although the Book of genesis does not say much directly about music, we are not completely left in the dark concerning the possibilities of the beginnings of music since we have the mention of Jubal and his music instruments early in the Genesis record.  By the time of Jacob (Genesis 31:27), we have record of songs, the frame drum translated in the KJV (toph 8596), and the lyre (kinore 3658) translated harp in the KJV.  At the time of the Exodus (15:1-22) we have songs being written and group singing (vs.1).  In verse 20 we have the addition of the word mecholah (4246) which no doubt meant piping.  So we can see that music was very well developed by the time of the Exodus and even before that time.  A review of Scripture reveals that during Israel’s early period of nomadic life, instrumental music was well developed.

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 2

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 2

            It is possible that the beginnings of musical knowledge could be traced to Genesis 1:26 where Adam is commanded to “...have dominion (7287) over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth (776), and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”  Also in verse twenty-eight he is admonished to “replenish the earth (776) and subdue (3533) it.”  The words dominion (radah 7287) and subdue (kabash 3533) mean to subjugate or to conquer and the word earth (erets 776) is the broad term used for the world as opposed to the word adamah (127) which means the soil.  So, Adam was given the command to conquer and bring under his control the world around him which included music.  We know from Genesis 2:19-20 that Adam was given tremendous insight and knowledge.  Although these passages say absolutely nothing about music, it is possible that he also had unusual insight in music.  However, the pursuit of such an exotic hypothesis would be nothing more than exegetical gymnastics.

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 1

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 1

Note:  Those who are new to my blog should understand that  when you see "part 1" it indicates that  series of related pots is starting.  Also, each "part" will make no attempt to draw ending conclusions.

            Music theorists and historians have stubbornly resisted the fact that the ancient Hebrew Scripture helps us to identify the beginnings of music.  Scholarly sources like The New Oxford History of Music report, “It is very difficult to say anything definite about the origin of music, because the phenomenon is quite outside the range of our observation.  Even in those primitive civilizations that still exist there is no race so primitive that it can be considered a relic of the beginning of human culture.”   The New Oxford History of Music, Vol. I Egon Wellesz p.5   It is a mistake to look for the origin of music in any existing remnant of early civilization but rather in the Old Testament Scriptures.  It is true that the Pentateuch is relatively silent as to the specifics of the beginnings of music.  However, we do know that God imparted musical knowledge to man before the flood.  Genesis 4:21 states that Lamech’s son Jubal “was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”

What is Theology?—part 4—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 4—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of one of his writings have been used here with his permission. 

            Theological reading, then, is our purpose to read in order to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and practice.  Some popular books, for instance, Rick Warren’s 1995 book Purpose-Driven Church, hardly qualify as a theology book. A pastor who consumes a steady diet of books like this is probably theologically malnourished. I’m sure one could find something theological in Warren’s book; you just have work really hard to find it. Reflection on doctrine or practice is not Warren’s purpose for writing. This is not to denigrate Warren’s book. I have found it helpful on many points. But it is not a theology book in my understanding. But neither does a theology book have to be as dense as John Zizioulas’s Being as Communion (1997).

            So what is a theology book? A theology book is any book whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and/or in practice. The best theology books include both doctrine and practice. I am not sure that our greatest concern is that pastors are not reading theology books. Perhaps a greater concern is that pastors are not reading theology books theologically or at least theologically well. People read theology books like David Platt’s Radical (2010) without thinking much about its implicit teaching about God.

            I believe Radical is a good example of a theology book written for a popular audience while containing significant theological content (some of which should be very problematic for Wesleyans). Many books written for Christians and pastors emphasize the practice without getting much into the doctrine, yet while making huge doctrinal assumptions.  We read theologically well when our thinking conforms to God’s Word and is guided by the Holy Spirit. 

            In summary, pastors, we ought to read theology and we ought to read theologically. Obviously, theology books should be read theologically, but so also should our other reading material. And, pastors should read theology books whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and in practice. For this reason, we should choose our books carefully.

Thought for the Day—G. Wolf

            There is much more about reading theology, reading theologically, and reading theologically well in Dr. Fry’s article, but we will stop here before we get in so deep at we drown in his admonishments to do all of the above.  I am concerned that Church musicians and Christian music educators are trying to relate to seeker and saints without the tools to make prescriptive decisions about whether or not the texts of the songs they lead in worship are accurate or not. 

            It is a huge mistake for an educator or a worship leader to continue on his or her musical journey while ignoring theology in the music being presented to congregations or their music organizations in Christian schools, Bible colleges and Universities. Jesus very clearly stated in Matthew 18:6 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”  Theology matters!  Church music matters!  Music that is taught in a Christian school or university matters!  So, once again I am contending that all Christian musicians must know what they believe theologically. 

           

What is Theology?—part 3—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 3—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of  one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

            What counts as theological reading and what counts as reading theology?  A theology book is a book whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and/or in practice. The richest theology books include both doctrine and practice. The most difficult ones deal only with the doctrine; and the shallowest only with practice. Our job as pastor-theologians is to connect the dots between doctrine and practice (theology is both).

            Pastors ought to read theologically as well as read theology. What’s the difference? Theological reading is more about how we read than what we read. For instance, I am currently reading (more like struggling through) a novel by Rick Riordan written for teenagers. Riordan’s novels put ancient mythology into a modern setting. I don’t particularly enjoy the book, but I’m reading it theologically because several teenagers in my church have read it under the guise of pure amusement. I’ve only read one chapter so far and I can affirm that there is plenty of material to provoke theological thinking. Riordan is not claiming to have written a theology book. But, I would argue, if one does not read his writing theologically then one may be unwittingly shaped theologically. On the other hand, if I wanted to read a theology book I would choose something expressly written for that purpose. This is the difference between reading a theology book and reading theologically—we must do both.

            So what counts as reading theology? There is no neat line that can be drawn. Does Riordan’s mythological novel count as theology? Broadly speaking, yes, if we define a theology book as anything book whose content involves God (or the gods, in Riordan’s case). But as pastors that’s rarely our concern. More narrowly, I define (for the time being) a theology book as a book whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and/or in practice.

Thought for the Day—G. Wolf 

            Musicians who are reading these posts are probably convinced, at this point, that I have lost my mind. Dr. Fry wrote the original article for pastors and not musicians.  However, I suggest that you do not hold your breath until someone writes this quality of article for Christian musicians.   He was writing about reading theologically as well as reading theology. So, if you will follow my thinking I will attempt to apply some of his thoughts to practicing Christian musicians. 

            Perhaps one should first try to convince musicians that 1) reading is important, 2) that reading theology is important before trying to convince busy ministering musicians to read theologically.  I was struck by the fact that a busy pastor was reading a book theologically because he feared teenagers in his church who had read it had been influenced by Riordan’s novel.  Think about it, how often do you and I read something that the young musicians in our Christian school or our church are reading?  Not only are we ignorant of the things that they are reading about music, we are also willingly ignorant of how these musical writings are shaping their thinking.  How are these writings shaping their musical paradigms?  I confess that I do not often read theologically.

What is Theology?—part 2—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 2—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of his writings have been used here with his permission.

             We are called to equip the saints for ministry. We are not merely to equip them with “practical” know-how, but also the “doctrinal” know-how, that is, why we minister in some ways and not in others. For example, why should or shouldn’t our parishioners engage in inter-faith humanitarian efforts? Or, how is it possible for a dying man to be saved without being baptized?  These are five reasons (among others) why pastors should read occasionally pull a theology book off the shelf and read it.  “I’m too busy to read theology.” 

            There are certain kinds of theology books that pastors are too busy to read. It’s okay to leave those for others and attend occasions where we can receive the condensed version. From time to time I am asked by a fellow pastor to recommend a theology book. Since I am a pastor myself, I am well-acquainted with the time constraints of pastoring. So I have a couple of criteria that I use for making recommendations. I know that most pastors don’t have the time or mental energy to   

read a 700-page theological dissertation so I recommend books that are less than 250 pages and contain chapters with short sub-divisions that can be read in 10-15 minutes. With these two criteria in mind, I will later share some good theological books that fit the bill. 

Thought for the Day—G. Wolf

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

            When I read Dr. Fry’s statements in part 2, I thought about the fact that I have never been told by anyone that ministers of music are called to “equip the saints for ministry.”  We seem to have a notion that if the saints worship with music that it will automatically prepare them for life and ministry.  I am afraid that we often have more interest in the emotion of music in worship than we are about the theology of our music being a major goal, or any goal, of music in worship.

            Wow, where do I start on ministers of music reading!  We have a difficult time getting them to read about music let alone reading about theology. Furthermore, I doubt that many of them read theologically  The reason is that ministers of music just do not believe that theological study is the slightest bit necessary. 

What is Theology?—part 1—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 1—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of  one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

            Theology, etymologically, simply means the study of God. But Christian theology is so much more. In a nutshell, theology is something we do, being “less theoretical than it is theatrical.” Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Faith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2014), 20.  While some people’s theology is more pie-in- the-sky, Christian theology is all about down-to-earth living. There are two aspects to Christian theology: doctrine and practice. Doctrine has to do with what we say about God; practice has to do with how that translates into living for God.  Both are essential elements of Christian theology. Doctrine and practice go hand-in- hand in Christian theology. So much so that we might say that one does not truly know his doctrine until he knows how to live it. Kevin Vanhoozer writes, “Church without doctrine to direct it is blind; yet doctrine without the church to embody it is empty.” Ibid. 147. Hypocrisy occurs when there is a disconnect between our doctrine and our practice. This disconnection is something less than God’s will for His followers.

            Thought for the day—G. Wolf

            Ministers of music many time are so caught up in music sequences that follow a theme that the last thing on their minds is a disconnect between doctrine and practice.  As a matter of fact theology is often low on their order of importance list and practice is not even on the list of things to think about when they are planning music for Sunday morning worship. 

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of  one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

            Theology, etymologically, simply means the study of God. But Christian theology is so much more. In a nutshell, theology is something we do, being “less theoretical than it is theatrical.” Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Faith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2014), 20.  While some people’s theology is more pie-in- the-sky, Christian theology is all about down-to-earth living. There are two aspects to Christian theology: doctrine and practice. Doctrine has to do with what we say about God; practice has to do with how that translates into living for God.  Both are essential elements of Christian theology. Doctrine and practice go hand-in- hand in Christian theology. So much so that we might say that one does not truly know his doctrine until he knows how to live it. Kevin Vanhoozer writes, “Church without doctrine to direct it is blind; yet doctrine without the church to embody it is empty.” Ibid. 147. Hypocrisy occurs when there is a disconnect between our doctrine and our practice. This disconnection is something less than God’s will for His followers. 

            Thought for the day—G. Wolf

            Ministers of music many time are so caught up in music sequences that follow a theme that the last thing on their minds is a disconnect between doctrine and practice.  As a matter of fact theology is often low on their order of importance list and practice is not even on the list of things to think about when they are planning music for Sunday morning worship. 

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 3

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 3

            Before Hegelian synthesis thought, the Scripture in I John 2:15, “Love not the world”, meant just that, don’t love the world or become controlled by the system of “this present age”.  After acceptance of Hegelian synthesis thought, it became acceptable to be a worldly Christian.  Those who accepted this viewpoint no longer believed the Bible when it said that if you loved the world, the love of the father was not in you.  Under this autonomous philosophy you could love the world and the Lord at the same time.  So, the synthesis thinking church musicians, who were in many instances, graduates of Christian colleges and seminaries began to think that if it was okay to love the world system then it was okay to love the world’s music.  Philosophically they believed that the answer could no more be based on good music and bad music, God’s music and the Satan’s music, or in appropriate or inappropriate music.  They believed that all styles were equal and that the musical answer must be somewhere between truth and error.

Thought for the Day. 

One of the ways that Christian musicians are swept into philosophical error is by believing that it is not possible to develop a Bible based music philosophy.

       

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 2

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 2

            Philosophy has been historically a pursuit of the systematized principles that give a wisdom that reveals truth and a unified filed of knowledge based on truth and error or thesis and antithesis.  Somewhere in the early 20th century many philosophers began to give up hope in a unified filed of knowledge based on thesis (right) or antithesis (wrong).  They began to believe the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Frederick Hegel (1770-1831).  Hegel believed that every idea belonged to an all-embracing mind in which every idea (thesis) elicited its opposite (antithesis) and the result of these two was a unified whole which he called synthesis.  His “unified” whole was epistemologically different since it derived “knowing” from a new synthesis thesis.  This “knowing” brought about a new truth that was always found somewhere between truth and error.

Thought for the Day

It is disappointing that many church musicians now believe that the only thing they can know for sure about religious music I that they cannot know anything for sure about it because they are of the notion that there are no absolutes in church music.

          

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 1

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 1

            I am deeply indebted to the work of Francis Schaffer for opening to me a very clear basic understanding of how philosophical thought has shaped the thinking of modern and postmodern Christians.  After reading his Escape from Reason and The God Who is There as well as other of his great works, it became clear to me how many Christian musicians came to believe that there are no absolutes in music.

            For centuries philosophers believed that it was possible for all thought to come under a unified filed of knowledge.  They often fought bitterly over just what that unified field of knowledge included.  Although philosophers did not agree on the content of that unified knowledge, they did agree that philosophical endeavor could and should bring about a philosophy of hope to the world.   

Thought for the Day

If a Christian musician’s music is to be Christocentric, it must be congruent with God’s Word and Bible principles of musicing.

The Lord will “Set a Watch”

The Lord will “Set a Watch”

Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”

            The psalmist was well aware that the lips control the mouth.  If a Christian’s lips are closed, nothing rash or hurtful will be said.  Surely every Christian musician should pray this prayer of the musician David.  Have you ever thought of why David asked the self-existent eternal God to constantly watch over his mouth?

            David’s prayer in Psalm 19:14 helps us to understand why he needed JHVH to “set a watch “over his lips.  He prayed, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”  Unless God has control of a musician’s lips, hasty hurtful statements are apt to come out.   The little poetic thought “sticks and stones may hurt my bones but word can never hurt me” sounds good but for most of us it just isn’t true. Words spoken by others often cut deeply.

            So, David understood that we need God to constantly watch over the door of the musician’s mouth which is our lips.  In Psalm 34:13 David admonishes a person who loves and serves YHVH to, 1Peter 2:21gives New testament commentary on For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Thought for the Day

Being a Christian does not exempt a musician from having “guile” in his or her mouth.  It will come out sooner or later unless that musician allows God to “set a watch” before his or her mouth.

Song for the Day Cleanse Me by J. Edwin Orr

Prayer for the Day

“Search me oh God, and know my heart today.”  I am asking you Lord who is all- powerful and all-knowing to constantly watch my lips so that I will not fail You and hurt my Christian brother by any careless words that I might say.  I am praying like David, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. “  This I am asking You today.  Amen

Evidences That You May be Called to Music Ministry

Evidences That You May be Called to Music Ministry

Below is a list of strengths that a musician who is called to music ministry often has.  They are not proofs of a calling to music ministry, but God often gives them to musicians who are called to be ministers of music.  Over the many years that I was a Bible College music professor, young musicians often mistook these gifts as a proofs that they were called to preach.  Here is the list that I have written for your consideration.

                        A passionate love for Scripture

                        An understanding of God’s Word

                        A desire to study music in the Bible

                        The ability to find spiritual meanings in sacred music

                        A desire to share those meanings with others

                        A spiritual burden for people

                        A desire to worship God with music

                        A gentleness and love for those with whom you music

                        A passion to music effectively

                        You have dissatisfaction with mere artistic rendering of sacred music

                        A desire to seek and have the Holy Spirit’s anointing on your musicing

                        A recognition of the dangers of worshiping the creature (music) rather than                         its Creator (God)

                        A sincere desire to music unto God rather than to consume music on     

                        Your own desires

                        You consider your musicing a confession of faith

                        You consider your music ministry a sacred trust

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. 

                                               Thought for the day 

Pick your tower very carefully and be sure that you are not hiding under the wrong one!

Thankful on October Eleven

Thankful on October Eleven

            Today is my brother Nathan’s birthday.  If the Lord wills tomorrow, I will get to be with him and his wife in Chicago.  I’m especially thankful that my wife and I will have the opportunity to visit with them there.  I plan to go with them to visit the Navy Pier stained glass museum.  I am always blessed when I view those beautiful stained glass windows.  That kind of beauty always causes me to think about my living Savior.  Certainly those beautiful stories told in beautiful stained glass cause me to remember that God is so good to me by giving me sight. 

            I often think when I am viewing those beautiful windows, God could have created the world in black and white or grey, but he chose to create in color.  He could have created in color but only given me the ability to see in a dull grey.  I want to thank God today for the abundance of life that he has given to me.  I also want to thank God for giving me two wonderful brothers David and Nathan, and that he has allows me to spend time with them.  Take some today to thank the Lord for someone in your family.

Prayer for the day

Lord, I am so excited that I will be able to visit with my brother and his wife Kathleen tomorrow.  I want to thank You for my brother Nathan.  I am asking You to bless and protect him and to make him a blessing to someone else today.  You are a wonderful Lord and Savior to me.  Lord, I want to thank you for giving me sight and I will try to never again complain about having to wear trifocal glasses.  Thank You, Thank You for your wonderful goodness to me.  Amen,

Musicing with Humility and Tears

                                          Musicing with Humility and Tears  

Psalm 126:5 states “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”  (Songs of joy- NIV)

       The Hebrew word rinnah (7440) is used with much latitude in the OT.  It often represented joy, rejoicing, shouting joyfully, or singing.  The Bible often speaks of the process of sewing and reaping.  In this instance one who desires to reap with the joy of singing must sew with tears.

       St Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that he had served the Lord with “humility of mind” and with many tears.  Many of the problems that plague our public music ministry will never be worked out in a rehearsal or in a board meeting.  The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 126 that the humility of tears will bring the desired results. 

       Verse six states “He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing (rinnah 7440 i.e. with joyful singing), bringing his sheaves with him.”  The word alummah (485 refers to some kind of grain bound together into a bundle.  In this case it connoted the result of a spiritual harvest.  If the Christian musician will have a tender “weeping” spirit, God has promised a precious harvest that will end in singing.  Some things are only accomplished by prayer and humility before the Lord.

       So, if we, as Christian musicians, want to sing and have an efficacious music ministry, there will be a time of waiting on the Lord with humility and tears until God hears and answers our prayers.  The Christian musical leader must desire the results of an efficacious musical ministry more than a music program that a flashy” instant pudding” music program that is “flashy” and  is quick and showy.  It takes a time or continuous Spirit led musicing before one often sees the desired results.

                                         Thought for the day

If you find a place of prayer and in humility and tears cry out to god for the Holy Spirit’s anointing and power, no one may ever know why your music ministry is efficacious, bur you will know and God will know!

Many shall SEE Your Musicing

Many shall SEE Your Musicing  

Psalm 40:3 states, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth. Even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” 

       You will probably think that I am a little crazy when I consider that part of what makes our musicing efficacious is people’s ability to SEE us music unto our heavenly Father.  Today we will consider that the fourteenth Psalm confirms that part of music’s ability to accomplish its mission is the fact that people can SEE it happen.

       We, as Christian musicians, are most often interested in people hearing our musicing unto God.  Today we are going to consider, for just a moment, that “many shall see” our new song, of a higher renovated character, which is “praise unto our God”.

       What is the importance of people seeing us music unto God?  When we place our musicing on a candlestick (see yesterday’s discussion) many people SEE us present a musical offering unto Him.  The Bible doesn’t say that it is important that people like our musical offering, but rather it states very clearly that it is SEEING our musicing unto God that cause them to fear God.  So, people SEE us music unto God and because it causes them to fear God, they can be brought into a relationship with God, through the saving power of Jesus Christ, which will cause them to trust in the LORD.

                                                 Thought for the day

Have you ever thought about what you look like when you music unto God? As a Christian musician you should, based on today’s Scripture lesson, be very careful what the audience SEES when you are musicing unto the God you love and serve with

Christian Musicing is like a Light

Christian Musicing is like a Light

Matthew 5:16 states “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

       Why do you suppose that Jesus has commanded Christian musicians to let their light shine?  I believe it is because our world is a very dark place to live in the twenty-first century.  Sin has made this world dark place with a very dark atmosphere at times.  Jesus knew that Christian musicians are prone to let Satan come by and cover it with a bushel basket.  So, Jesus reminded us all, in the Sermon on the Mount, to make absolutely sure that we keep our light shining very brightly.

       The light of Christ placed in us is so powerful that Satan needs a bushel basket to completely hide it from those who see it, and will receive its light in their lives.  Satan knows that, without this light of Christ, people will continue to live in darkness.  Jesus instructed us to put our powerful light on a candle stick so that it will give the light of salvation to all people.

       One of the ways that a Christian can show the light of Christ is through his or her musicing.  Jesus explained, in this sermon, that “you” are the light of the world.  This means that there is much value in people seeing the Christian musician music unto God.  As I play exegetical gymnastics with this verse of Scripture, I have the notion that maybe Jesus includes our musicing unto Him as a part of what people need to “see”.  As I just said, it is just a notion, but I think it is a valuable notion.  If so, musicians need to let their musical light shine in such a way that all who are in the “house” will see it and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  Therefore, we need to be very careful of what people “see’ as well as what they hear when we music unto God.

                                                Thought for the day--Musicing is a Light

If musicing unto God is a part of our good works, and it is, then Christian musicians need to be sure that people see and hear good quality music when we sing and play in and out of church.

God Helps the Poor in Spirt and the Poor in Pocket

God Helps the Poor in Spirt and the Poor in Pocket

Psalm 34:6, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

            Charles Spurgeon explained this verse effectively in his Devotional Commentary, “He [David] describes himself as a poor man, and so he was, for he was driven from home and country.  His prayer was only a cry, yet the Lord answered him, and all his troubles vanished.  Let the poor in spirit, and the poor in pocket, try the psalmist's plan, and they will soon sing as he did.”  David was grateful for God’s deliverance so he said, in verse two, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”

            As I look back on the times that the Lord has come to my rescue, I am sad to say that I have not always remembered to brag on the Lord like David did on this occasion.  Musicians are famous for being self-starters.  This is an excellent character trait unless this self-sufficiency causes us to forget our sufficient Savior who never slumbers or sleeps.  He is always there at the right hand of God the father making intercession for us.  So, when we cry to Him and He hears us and saves us out of our troubles, whether we have been poor in spirit or poor in pocket or both, we must remember to thank and praise Him for what He has done for us.

Song for the Day—I Will Call Upon the Lord by Michael O’Shields

Thought for the Day

Christian musicians are sometimes much more emotional when they are needing help from God than when they are praising Him.

Prayer for the Day

Precious and merciful Savior I want to make my boast in in Your wonderful, powerful, All-sufficient name.  You are wonderful, wise and all-knowing.  I want to thank you for the many times that you have delivered me out of my troubles.  Please forgive me for not being more thankful.  Help me to, like David, sing Your praises to say “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  Help me to not only say it but also mean it.  Help me to say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” (Ps 104:1)  This I am praying in Your strong name.  Amen.

Prescriptive Thought—part 5

Prescriptive Thought—part 5

            Does it matter where a person draws the line musically?  Yes it matters because Church Music Matters to all serious Christians and certainly because Church Music Matters to God.  Remember that Ephesians 5 reminds us that “proving what is acceptable unto the Lord” is necessary in our properly “making melody unto the Lord”.  In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul admonishes the Philippian Christians:  V.9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, V.10    So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, V.11Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)

            Surely, there is much need for the 21st century church to be able to discern what is best for music in worship.  If we need a godly depth of insight in order to discern what is best then conversely there must be that which is not the best.  Style of church music would certainly fall in this category of good and bad, best and worse, and appropriate and inappropriate.  Furthermore, the admonition in Romans chapter 12 to not be conformed to the pattern of the world system goes on to say in verse 2:13, “...that ye may be able to prove what is that good (agathos 18), and acceptable (euarestos 2101), and perfect (teleios 5046), will of God”. 

            The Holy Spirit inspired the Roman writer to use three Greek words in this passage.  We may argue about exactly what these words mean, but one thing is not arguable, the Holy Spirit never stutters.  If they all mean exactly the same thing, the writer would have repeated the same word three times.  So, there is agathos (18), which means that which is of good benefit, and there is euarestos (2101), well pleasing or fully agreeable, and there is teleios (5046), complete or perfect.  As church musicians, we must prove (dokimazo 1381) or approve, discern, and examine all our spiritual acts of worship or service to God -- including music we sing and play unto Him.