View of Music Affects Philosophy—part 2

View of Music Affects Philosophy—part 2 

            Those who have read very much of my philosophical writings know that I am always skeptical of any philosophical view that is autonomous or tends to lead toward autonomy.  All real truth is congruent truth that is related to real life. Therefore, there is no aspect of what I call true truth that is a part of a closed system which is not related to real life or that is developed from a philosophy that is a law to itself because its truth is part of an esoteric truth that is found in music’s little non-related “bubble”.  All music philosophy must submit to the lordship of Christ.

             I also contend that music has the power to communicate information, moods, emotions, and message to the listener and the performer.  So, although music does not function exactly like written language, its function is at least analogous to language.  Music has so much power to say something that in some ways it is beyond language in its ability to communicate information directly to the listener.  Therefore, its power t affect the whole-life of a person should never be taken lightly.  This fact places the onus probandi on every Christian musician.

Thought doe the Day

It seems strange that musicians who spend a lifetime singing and playing their heart out to audiences say that music does not have the power to communicate anyting to an audience.

 

View of Music Affects Philosophy—part 1

 View of Music Affects Philosophy—part 1

            One’s Music philosophers who are formalists generally believe that “Music’s beauty, its essential nature, and its highest value are things that are music’s and music’s alone...”  Philosophical Perspectives on Music by Wayne Bowman, p. 194. The referentialist’s position is that music’s meaning must have connection to meanings outside of music.  Symbolists believe that music’s symbols are objects used to represent abstract insight into an understanding of the nature of human feeling.      

            As may be seen from the views just mentioned, music’s way of “knowing” and its ability to communicate that knowledge is essentially different depending on one’s philosophical view.  Some who believe that music is a closed system will tend to believe that music has its own agenda i.e. that the significance of music is not related in any way to life in general.  Others who consider music to be a closed system believe that music symbols reveal the significance of human feeling which is in no way related to what the performer or auditor brings to musicing or music listening.  The philosophical views of non-referentialists all tend to either be, or to have the propensity to become, autonomous philosophical views. When a musician develops an autonomous music philosophy, that musician will have a definite inclination or tendency to behave musically in a way that is independent of the Lordship of Christ and the emphasis is placed on the musicer rather on music’s ability to communicate.

Thought for the Day

One’s philosophical position will affect what he or she does musically.  As I have often said, “Direction affects destiny.”

The Levite Musicians Were Holy Men

The Levite Musicians Were Holy Men

             The music of the Temple was successful because the Levite musicians were prepared spiritually.  I Chronicles 25:1 teaches us that the Levite musicians were separated or set apart to prophesy with music.  As we learned in Chapter IV, the word naba (5012) used of these musicians was the same word used of the prophets of the Old Testament who were great spiritual men.  Likewise, the Levite musicians were spiritual because they were cleansed ceremonially or morally as is stated in I Chronicles 15:12a.  "And said unto them, Ye are the fathers of the Levites:  sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren. . ."  Verse fourteen states, "So the priests and the Levites sanctified (6942) themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel."

             The Hebrew word used here for sanctify and sanctified is quadash (6942), and according to Strong means to be clean ceremonially or morally or to sanctify one-self wholly.  In other words, these men were called to holy living.  The writer will not push this hypothesis any further exegetically, but it will suffice to say that in our dispensation the minister of music must be sanctified through and through.  However, II Chronicles 23:6a states that these Levite musicians were holy men, "But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy (qodesh 6944). . ."

Scripture Thought for the Day

 Leviticus 11:44 “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy (qadowsh 6918); for I am holy (qadowsh 6918)…”

Preparing Each Succeeding Generation

Preparing Each Succeeding Generation  

            Without doubt the most impressive part of Levite administration was the Levite teacher-scholar relationship recorded in I Chronicles 25:1-31.  As we can see from this entire chapter, these Levites were separated into three groups under Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.  Under Asaph were four lots, each having eleven scholars under each teacher.  Jeduthun was responsible for six lots each having a teacher responsible for eleven scholars.  Finally Heman had placed under him fourteen lots each consisting of a teacher and eleven students.  So, Asaph's four lots accounted for forty-eight musicians, Jeduthun's six lots accounted for seventy-two musicians, and Heman's fourteen lots accounted for one hundred sixty-eight musicians making a total of 288 teachers and scholars as recorded in I Chronicles 25:7.

            It should be pointed out that the Israelites accepted the responsibility of training their own church musicians.  The Chief Levites and their sons were not only performers and ministers, but they were also teachers and passed their art along to others.  The Bible example is very clear that the church is responsible to educate its own musicians.  The ancient Hebrews would never have even thought of sending their sons to the Philistines, the Egyptians, the Sumerians, or the Akkadians.  They accepted the responsibility to personally prepare each succeeding generation of Israelite musicians.  Under this developed system of music education, music in the Temple reached a very high level of excellence. 

Thought for the Day 

The ancient Levite musicians carefully guarded the music education of their families.  We consider ourselves to be much more developed spiritually and educationally, but we willingly expose our tender plants to the cultivation of music teachers who not love or serve Jesus Christ.  It will be them—not us—that will shape the music philosophy and performance practice of our children.

ANCIENT MINISTERS OF MUSIC

ANCIENT MINISTERS OF MUSIC

            Sometimes we think of the concept of a minister of music as being a modern invention.  However, if one aspect of Levite Music Administration could be pointed out as most important it would be the office of the "chief musician."  In the Bible the minister of music is called by several names.

            The Book of Psalms refers to the chief musician fifty-four times.  The words chief and musician are translated from the Hebrew word natsach (5329) and mean to be eminent, to glitter from a distance and to be superintendent.  These musicians were chosen to supervise the business of music making in the Temple.  Other names for these musicians were:  chief singer (natsach 5329) in Habakkuk 3:19; overseer (paqiyd 6496) in Nehemiah 12:42; principal (rosh 7218) in Nehemiah 11:17, meaning to be first, in rank or to be captain; chief (sar 8269) of the Levites in I Chronicles 15:22, meaning a head person or a master musician; and chief (rosh 7218) of the fathers of the Levites in I Chronicles 9:33.  All of these names carry the meaning of a person in charge that is a leader and has skill and one who is a responsible person.

Thought for the Day

It is a foreign concept to many sincere Christians that God wants His chief musicians to stand out as leaders so much so that they would be very charismatic or “glitter from afar”.  The fact that a Christian musician  has submitted his or her life to the authority of God does not mean that this music leader should stoop his or her shoulders and act the part of a lowly bashful introvert.

Gideon Blew a Trumpet

Gideon Blew a Trumpet

            Gideon blew a trumpet and Abiezer followed him.  Gideon’s blowing of the shofar taqa caused Abiezer to follow Gideon because the blowing caused Abiezer understand the message being proclaimed.  This verse supports the thesis that there is meaning in the music part of the music.  The word taqa has no doubt much more meaning than we understand in the translation.  The Encyclopedia Judaica gives some explanation of the meanings of the various types of blowing of the Shofar.

            However, the most striking meaning of this passage of Scripture is “the Spirit of the LORD came upon (labash 3847) Gideon”.  Labash means that the self-existent eternal God who is sent the Holy Spirit who wrapped himself or clothed Gideon with His power and blessing.  I am strengthened and encouraged when I read that the Holy Spirit wrapped an Old Testament trumpet layer with His power. That power made Gideon’s trumpet playing efficacious

            I am convinced that the Holy Spirit will enshroud a Christian musician’s musicing with His power.  I am reminded that Acts 1:8 states, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Praise God we have His promise that as He “came upon Gideon” as he pronounced God’s message with his trumpeting, the Holy Ghost will “come upon you” as you music His message of good news in this century.

Song for the Day Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart by George Croly

Thought for the Day

A life in the Holy Spirit will do more than anything else to make a Christian’s music ministry efficacious.

Prayer for the Day

Holy Spirit my door is open wide to your leadership in all my sacred musicing.  I am asking You to “come upon me” as I music unto you and for you.  Please help my music witness to be efficacious.  I want You to know Lord that I do not want to music in my own power but rather I want you to give me that daily dunamis of the Spirit that will enshroud my music ministry.  This I am asking in Your powerful name.  Amen.

Is all Religious Musicing Adiaphorous?

Is all Religious Musicing Adiaphorous?    

                Christian musicians who are trying to develop a congruent Christian music philosophy should understand that many Christians who are conservative in many areas of their lives consider the way that any Church musics to be an adiaphorous form of worship.  They really believe that the conflict over contemporary Christian music to be “much ado about nothing”.

             When I was mentioning some performance styles and practices that I considered to be inappropriate for public wordhip, one of my colleagues recently said to me, “I believe we’ve already lost that battle”.  Just because the postmodern church musics a certain way and furthermore, just because many conservatives have been so conditioned by repeatedly hearing a style of religious music that they no longer oppose it, does not make it a good choice.

            The “neither good nor bad” notion about religious music has become the slippery slope that has finally led to style and performance practice capitulation. Although his book was on a completely different topic, the title of Thomas Anthony Harris’s I'm OK, You're OK New York Times best seller has been taken out of context in the development of a false notion by the postmodern church. This philosophical fallacy has allowed these musicians to believe a convenient falsehood rather than deal with an obvious truth. This everything goes philosophy fits well with the adiaphorous philosophy of contemporary Christian musicians.  Many Christians, including a host of Christians who are conservative in many of their beliefs, seem to believe that all the possible ways that religious musicers can possibly music are OK. Simply put, although there are wonderful things happening in sacred music in this century, everything that is happening in church music is not OK!  

Thought for the Day

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.”  Since God has an acceptable, good, and perfect will, it is not unreasonable to believe that he has a will concerning how a Christian musics unto Him.

              

Musicing God’s Word

Musicing God’s Word

            Romans 10:17 teaches, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  In his comments on verse seventeen Adam Clarke wrote, “Preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of salvation; faith in Christ is the result of hearing the word, the doctrine of God preached. Preaching, God sends; if heard attentively, faith will be produced; and if they believe the report, the arm of the Lord will be revealed in their salvation.”  Albert Barnes gave further explanation of this verse when he wrote, “When it is said that faith cometh by hearing, it is not meant that all who hear actually believe, for that is not true; but that faith does not exist unless there is a message, or report, to be heard or believed. It cannot come otherwise than by such a message; in other words, unless there is something made known to be believed. And this shows us at once the importance of the message, and the fact that men are converted by the instrumentality of truth, and of truth only.”

            There is no doubt that the Bible teaches Christians in Hebrews 4:12 the importance of utilizing Scripture, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Therefore, Christian musicians must be sure to saturate their musicing with the Word of God.  Col 3:16, admonishes Christian musicians to “ 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.”  What is on the inside comes out!  The Greek word plousious (4146) which was translated richly in the AV means copiously, abundantly, i.e. to be crammed full of God’s Word.

Thought for the Day

Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 6

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 6

        Lest I be misunderstood as a worshiper of musical tradition rather than  a worshiper of God, I am not purporting that all musical tradition is worthwhile.  That being said, those of us who believe and practice free worship must constantly guard against what I term traditional worship “rutual”.  Those of us who do not practice a formal worship ritual are in danger of getting in an unorganized rut.  If we would be the slightest bit honest we would have to admit that our patterns of weekly use of music in worship are far from free and worship would probably be much better if our patterns were organized and purposeful.  For instance, those who often pride themselves in the fact they have eliminated all, or mostly all, of the traditional hymns and gospel songs in favor of fresh new choruses, fall into the “rutual” of singing the same chorus sequences Sunday after Sunday until the worshipers do not need to look at the screen because they know what will be coming next.

            No doubt part of the reason that millennials are hocking their new strange musical wares on congregations of worshipers is that they are bored with traditional predictable worship music.  The answer is not the “hock and awe” of anti-music.  Although part of the answer must be discussed in another blog sequence, a fresh anointing on the worship leader will add reality, excitement and believability to musical worship.  Fresh new approaches to music used in public worship are not wrong in and of themselves.  The answer is reality and believability in the music that one uses in the context of public worship.

Scripture Thought for the Day   

Psalm 144:9, “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 5

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 5

            The ancient Levite musician Chenaniah desired understanding and utilized music as a means to accomplish his purpose and mission borne in upon him of YHVH.  As one studies the OT, it becomes very clear that the work and purpose of the Levite musicians was not art music, anti-music, or noise-music, but rather the better understanding of the worshiper.  Whether a Christian musician likes it or not, the music part of worship music (the te’amim) or melodies of the entire OT was steeped in worthy tradition. This tradition of music worship was established by high authority as described in 1Chronicles 25:1, “Moreover David and the captains 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…”

            1Chronicles 25, explains that this established worthy and worthwhile tradition or music praxis was established in ancient Israel by the chief Levite musicians and their sons (see verses2-31) and “according to the order of” i.e. the hands of King David, “Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.  Whether we like it or not, the Bible teaches very clearly in the 25^th chapter of 1 Chronicles (and at other places in the OT) that all musical tradition is not to be avoided by the worship leader.  According to the Book, the Levite musicians were not turned loose on the ancient Israelite worshipers to hock their strange and shocking musical inventions.   

Scripture Thought for the Day

Psalm 33:2, “Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.”

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 4

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 4

            Composers have often purposed to shock and anger audiences by composing music that is truly considered to be avant-garde music.  They have often expressed a desire to break with any established musical traditions.  One of the reasons has been their desire to leave a shocking footprint on the current musical scene in a particular generation.  This desire as come from a deep humanistic belief in “self” rather than having massa or spiritual burden borne in upon them of God. This desire is spoken of in 1Chronicles 15:22, “And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.”   

            Chenaniah’s musicing was not about self but rather about God.  He did not desire to cause shock and chagrin among those who worshiped but rather to music in a way that would cause the congregation to understand more fully the Word and will of YHVH.  This purposeful music praxis of the Levite musicians is mentioned in Nehemiah 8:8, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly (they intoned i.e. sang the Holy Writ), and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”  The Levites desired understanding in worship rather than novelty or obscurity.   

Scripture Thought for the Day

1Chronicles 25:7, “So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.”

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 3

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 3

            I believe it is a mistake for a Christian minister of music to refer to refer to sacred music as “noise” or “organized noise”.  I admit readily that some of the compositions that have been pawned off on the church in the last century and in today’s church may well be considered noise.  When it is justifiably considered to be noise it should not be considered sacred music. 

            The composer, arranger and the musicer must make a choice of either producing “noise music” i.e. anti-music or music that is worthy to be considered for sacred use.  Psalm 89:15 teaches that in the eyes of Almighty God who is here referred to as YHVH the self-existent, independent, eternal God who is ,when it states, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.”    Sound may not matter to millennials who are post postmoderns, but it does to God.  Certainly it should not take much musical discernment to distinguish noise music from music styles that are suited to the purpose of worshiping a high and holy God.  

Scripture Thought for the Day   

Ezekiel 26:13, “And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.”

Considering Anti-Music-part 2

Considering Anti-Music-part 2

            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 some secular music that is rightly considered to be anti-music is music or merely noise.  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.   

Scripture Thought for the Day 

Isaiah 14:11, “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.”

Considering Anti-Music-part 1

Considering Anti-Music-part 1

            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 20th 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. 

Scripture Thought  for the Day

Amos 5:23, “Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.”

A Fresh Vision of God-part 3

A Fresh Vision of God-part 3   

            You may be skeptical of the reality of being in the Spirit when it comes to music making.  You may ask the question, “What can I hear from the voice of God?  What can the Spirit reveal to me?”  I confess to you that I do not know which of God’s secrets the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to you.  I don’t know how He will move upon your heart and warm it for His service.  I only know that He will.  If we are going to worship God with our musicing, we must have the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  I want to remind us all of the words of Jesus as he talked with the women of Samaria in St. John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must, worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”

             As I see it, the unction, or anointing of the Holy Spirit is one of our strongest defenses against being led astray.  I John 2:20-27 John warns against false teaching.  In the day in which we live everyone has an opinion about music and music ministry.  I believe that church musicians can profit from John’s warning and admonition in verse twenty.  He states: “But ye have an unction [chrisma 5545– a smearing or endowment or anointing of the Holy Ghost] from the Holy one, and ye know all things.”  (Words in brackets are mine.)  Later in verse 27 he concludes, “But the anointing (chrisma 5545) which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. The Holy Spirit will abide in us and teach us and protect us from falling prey to the matrix of Satan.  This unction or anointing will guide us into all truth which includes truth concerning music ministry in the 21st century.   

Thought for the Day 
Some church musicians may consider the use of the terms unction and anointing to be fanatical but, they are biblical and they are vital to a Christian musician if his or her musicing is going to be Spirit controlled.

Song for the Day Not My Will, but Thine by Hugh C. Benner

A Fresh Vision of God-part 2

A Fresh Vision of God-part 2   

            When one reads the Old Testament accounts of the prophets it is apparent that when they saw visions of God it made a profound change in their attitudes and focus.  For instance, Isaiah said, “Woe is me” and Ezekiel said, “I fell on my face”.  When they saw God in proper perspective, they then saw themselves in proper perspective.  Finally, both prophets, when they saw the Lord high and lifted up and saw His vision, heard the voice of God.

            Every one of us who are church musician should ask the question, “How long has it been since I heard from heaven; since I have heard the voice of God?”  If we as church musicians are bored, or our ministry is stale, or if we are facing burn out, there is hope if we will get a renewed vision of God.  If for some reason we are in bondage to the trendy notions of others, or are about convinced that the time-honored music of the church will not reach the hearts of men and women today,  Isaiah 10:27 is saying to us, “...the yoke shall be broken because of the anointing”.  We can have the dunamis of the Spirit to give life and vitality to our music ministry.  St. John the divine reminds us in The Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet...”  I believe that Christian musicians in this century are able to hear God’s voice and have the leadership of the Holy Spirit upon their musicing. 

            St. John the divine also saw a vision of God’s throne, the book with the seven seals, and the music of the four beast and four and twenty elders who witnessed the opening of the Book.  Revelation 5:9 records, “And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation…”  Because St. John the divine was “in the Spirit”, the Holy Spirit was able to let him in on some of the secrets of the glory world.   

Thought for the Day

If we stay on our knees until God reveals his will to us, the struggle of prayer may not always be a “Sweet Hour of Prayer” but, the result of knowing His will is most certainly “sweet”. 

Song for the Day Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah by William Williams

A Fresh Vision of God-part 1

A Fresh Vision of God-part 1

            Ezekiel 1:1gives an account of his vision of the glory of God, ”Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, and the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.” Later in verse 28b of that chapter he records, “...this was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.  And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”

            If worship leaders could see a fresh vision of the Lord high and lifted up, they will be more careful of how they sing and play in God’s presence.  They will no longer be intimidated into believing “This is what the people will accept, therefore, I must to sing or play in this manner.”  Ministers of music who have seen a fresh vision of the Lord spend their lives as Ephesians 5:10 says, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”  They get rid of the attitude “prove to me that this is wrong.” They are no longer consumed with the desire to get as close to the musical styles of this godless generation as they can, but instead as Ephesians 5:11 states, they will “...have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”   

Thought for the Day

If we as Christian musicians desire to know God’s will, and if we are going to “walk in the light” we must keep our spiritual lamps “trimmed and burning”.

Our Musicing Should Reflect God’s Light

Our Musicing Should Reflect God’s Light

            1John 1:4-5, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  his then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”  Every Christian musician’s musicing should be a message of God’s light.  It is no wonder that the Bible commands Christians to praise.  Christian musicians have a right to be full of joy and to have that joy reflected in his or her musicing.  As Christian musicians, we need to guard against allowing this dark evil world to influence the tenor of our sacred musicing with the hopelessness of a life lived without the light that God shines into this world.

            Much of the secular music that has been recorded in the last century represents the darkness of these musician’s hearts.  It is a fact that many times musicians who do not know Christ live surrounded by darkness and despair.  However, Ephesians 5:14 gives hope to those who are dead in trespasses and sins when it promises, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”  So, those of us who are walking in God’s light should take a moment to thank God for the light of His presence. 

Thought for the Day

There is an element of truth in Bob Marley’s quip, “Don’t worry be happy”.  A Christian’s musicing should reflect joy instead of worry. 

Song for the Day This is the Day by Les Garrett

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 5

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 5

            How can we believe, teach and preach the doctrine of separation from the world and at the same time play our keyboards, sing our songs, and play our instrumental music in the church in styles that are exactly like the world’s styles?  If God demands that we talk, dress and act differently than the world, then this separation must include our music.  If God is going to be Lord of our life, then He must be Lord of ALL our life.  This “all” includes our sacred as well as our secular music. 

            Post postmoderns like to jest about words like liberal, conservative, worldly, and the separate life of a Christian as though these term no longer are understood or have relevance in this century.  A politician can explain very precisely the difference between a liberal and a conservative candidate.  However, for some reason that is devoid of any logic, they deny these distinctions when they are applied to Christian living, or more germane to this discussion, a conservative or liberal church musician.  Belief in a Christian’s music and musicing requiring a separation from this wicked world is almost a thing of the distant past to many millennials.  We as Christian musicians may deny it and make fun of it, but the Bible teaches separation from the sinful, lustful, and worldly practices of this wicked world.

Scripture for the Day

1Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 4

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 4

             Much of jazz, rock, pop, and country music (and a host of other new styles of pop music) has been designed by the composers, arrangers and poets to fill men and women’s minds with hate, lust, deceit and all kinds of mistrust and dark sinful desires.  This is the reason Satan is trying so hard to influence composers and performers to make absolutely no difference between religious music and the world’s music. He is trying to fool us into believing that it doesn’t matter if we sing God-honoring words with dance rhythms and a and a beat with a forward propelling directionality that obscures the Christ centered message and appeals primarily to the lust of the flesh.

            Christians must constantly be cognizant of the fact that when Satan suggests that nothing really matters in church music (except words), he is trying to fool church musicians into believing that it is all right for our church music to appeal directly to the body.  If he can make us believe such nonsense then our church music will soon be filled with dancing and physical appeal.  Remember the Bible says, “Walk not after the flesh but rather after the Spirit.”  If the most important things about our church music are loud sounds and a very, very strong rhythm and beat, then our church music is not spiritual music, because it doesn’t follow Bible principles of sacred music.

Scripture for the Day

Ephesians 5:15-17, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.:”

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 3

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 3

Remember the Bible says, “Be ye separate; come out from among them.”   Therefore, Christians must be careful for there is a real Satan who is at work through music.  All music affects us physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Therefore, Christians must be sure that they do not associate themselves with the music of the world .that is, by its content and enactment, in conflict with the principles of the new birth taught in the Bible.

             I want those with whom I come in contact to know that I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.  I want them to know that I am a changed man.  I must not play with the questionable things of the world.  My whole life must represent that I have passed from spiritual death into spiritual life and am a changed man.  What makes anyone believe that any style of music may be used equally well to pervert a man or to convert a man?  It is the purpose of Satan to twist and warp the truth and turn it into a lie.  This may be accomplished by twisting man’s thinking and by feeding his carnal nature.  Satan tries constantly to make fun of purity and honoring the marriage vows.

Scripture for the Day

 Revelation 21:5, “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 2

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 2

            The new man, in order to be a worker together with God, has to make some changes in his life; and I tell you that some of these changes include music.  God has commanded that the NEW MAN must not be squeezed into the world’s mold of music.  The new man must not act, look like and sound exactly like the world.  The destructive music of the old life must go.  If musicians who have experienced the new birth and are therefore new creatures in Christ Jesus, they must not hang onto destructive music of the old life.  If they do, pretty soon they will be in danger of being drawn back into the Godless habits and actions of the old life again.

             If church fellowships want new converts to make big changes in their lives, Christian musicians must not feed them a diet of the “old song”.  If these new Christians follow after music styles that were created to appeal to the flesh, they will be tempted back into the old life and the old ways.  I don’t understand why church musicians want to sing just like Satan’s crowd, play their instruments just like Satan’s crowd, sound just like Satan’s crowd and dress just like Satan’s crowd.  How could we as church musicians possibly think that by letting ourselves be squeezed into Satan’s mold, we are going to pull sinners out of Satan’s pit?

Scripture for the Day

Ephesians 2:15-16, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 1

There Is Danger in the Old Life and the Old Song-part 1

            God has always demanded that his people be not only a holy people but also a separate people.  In the 5th chapter of II Corinthians, verse 17, God said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”  I believe that the new man performs styles of church music that are of a higher renovated character than much of the world’s music. 

            The church musician who is a new man should replace old songs that are not God honoring with music of higher, renovated character.   Church musicians should always perform positive, worthwhile, appropriate music.  Christian musicians should go on the offensive musically and not spend all their time in the philosophical foxhole bemoaning the ills of what is wrong with church music. Christian musicians must guard sacred music by keeping it from misleading representations of the moral nature of God.

Scripture for the Day

Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 4

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 4

            It is my firm belief that the earnest Christian musician who has a life in the Spirit can and does have the responsibilities mentioned above.  1Cointhians 2:13 states, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual”, and verse 16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  The reason that earnest Christian musicians are different from others that casually lead church music programs is explained in1Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

            Spiritual discernment is not a popular, understood or much believed topic.  Many church musicians have been influenced by humanistic music educators who have taught them that all music and musicing belongs to the musicer.  The concept that all music and musicing must come under the Lordship of Christ (whether it is done in or out of the church building), is many times not even considered by many church musicians.  Secular music education is not concerned with a life in the Spirit or submitting one’s music and musicing to the control of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, although these church musicians are many times not in opposition to such belief, they are simply ignorant of the fact that this truth exists and is taught in the Bible.  When was the last lecture or sermon that you have heard on the topic of spiritual discernment, let alone a sermon on spiritual discernment in one’s musicing?  Now back to Chenaniah,  He had spiritual discernment concerning his musicing and this “burden for song” was borne in upon him from God.  Therefore, I believe that God will require no less of Christian musicians in this century.

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 3

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 3

            What does the word massa mean as used in this verse in I Chronicles 15:22 (and at some other times) in the Old Testament?  W.E. Vine has stated that, "The word 'burden'

(Hebrew massa, a thing lifted up) is used, for example, in Nahum 1:1, signifying the burden of prophesy which was borne in upon the prophet when he received it from the Lord."  In other words Chenaniah's message for song was borne in upon him from the Lord just like the message of God was given to the prophets.  It wasn't perfect pitch, a beautiful sounding voice or his knowledge of vocal pedagogy that made Chenaniah great, but instead, it was his spiritual communication with Jehovah that brought him to prominence.  From the Biblical record it seems that the outstanding factor of this chief musician's life was his serious and powerful music ministry in Israel.

            What does all this discussion mean to a twenty-first century Christian musician?  Does it really matter that this ancient musician was so concerned about how he musiced?  Even though the Word states that he had burden for song, does that mean that Christian musicians today are required to have this “burden” borne in upon them from God.  Is it even possible for a Christian musician to have such a relationship with God?  I will give some answers to these important questions in tomorrow’s post.

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 2

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 2

             Since the fifteenth chapter gives a detailed account of bringing the ark up to Jerusalem, some Bible exegetes have believed that Chenaniah was an expert in carrying the Ark of the Covenant. However, GBN, ACC, JFB, JWN, Poole, and TSK (among others) believe that Chenaniah’s expertise and function in this verse was of a musical nature. It is important to note that the portion of that chapter, including verses sixteen through twenty-four, is a musical discourse concerning the Levites that King David placed in charge of pre-Temple music at the time of the moving of the ark and placing it in the tent.  We know from verse fifteen that Levites did in fact carry the ark after the due order of Moses, but if Chenaniah was a teacher of ark carriage then why was he mentioned in the middle of the list of Levite musicians in verses 19-21 and why was the so-called teacher of "handling the ark" walking with the singers?  Why was he not walking as verse twenty-seven states, with ". . .the Levites that bare the ark?"

            It seems that a much more tenable hypothesis would be that Chenaniah was a skillful singing instructor who had a great burden for song borne in upon him of God.  The word massa used here is found many times in the Old Testament.  This word used of Chenaniah is the same word which is burden in Isaiah 13:1 which states, "The burden massa (4853) of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see."  The Book of Nahum also uses the word massa (Nahum 1:1) when it mentions, "The burden (4853) of Nineveh.  The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite."  Also, Habakkuk 1:1 states, "The burden (4853) which Habakkuk the prophet did see."  So we can see that the word massa used of Chenaniah the chief singer was also used of the prophets Isaiah, Nahum and Habakkuk.

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 1

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 1

            Although translators of the Bible labor over each original word, sometimes the nuance of scriptural meaning is lost.  Such has been the case concerning I Chronicles 15:22 which states, "And Chenaniah (3663), chief (sar 8269) of the Levites, was (hayah 1961) for (key 3588) song (massa 4853) he instructed (yacar 3256) about the song (4853), because he was skillful (biyn 995)."  An amplified rendering of this verse could justly read,

And Chenaniah, whose name means Jah has planted, was an accomplished musician and he became a head person or steward of the Levite musicians and had a burden [borne in upon him of God] for song.  He corrected, instructed or chastised with words about the burden (massa) of song because he was able to perceive and could separate or distinguish mentally.

            As we can see from the amplification, Chenaniah's name signifies that he had purpose in life for his name meant that God had planted or had purposed that he become a chief Levite musician.  He became a chief musician because he was skillful or could distinguish or discern the import or what was right concerning music.  He knew what he was doing and imparted or taught (transferred) that knowledge to the sons of the Levites.

            The most important thought in this verse, and another concept that has not faired well in most translations, is the importance of the words "was for song" (massa 4853).  The Hebrew word massa is clear in this passage even though often misunderstood here as meaning "carriage."  I will explain my reasoning for this  belief in tomorrow’s post.

Submit and Resist

Submit and Resist

   James 4:7-8B states, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”  The answer is to resist and submit at the same time.  However, you cannot resist until you submit.  When you submit it is easier to resist.  God will give you the power to resist Satan, but He will only give you that power if you submit to Him.    

       Submitting every situation TO God is many times a difficult task.  Many Christian musicians are energetic self-starters who are not often of a mind  to let someone else solve their problems.  They know that God is able to each life situation but they still try to deal without their problems without fully submitting Gods will and wisdom.  

       How should we then submit?  The answer is found in verse eight.  Draw near to God!  The closer that a Christian musician gets to the great heart of God, the easier it becomes to submit to His will and way.  The closer a Christian draws to God the closer He comes to us.  When He is close to a musician the more clear and real the relationship becomes.  The closer a Christian comes to God the more he or she is able to take advantage of God’s wisdom and protection.  Satan doesn’t like to be in the presence of God, so as we draw near to God, Saran will flee from us. 

 Prayer for the Day 

   Lord I am asking You to help me to submit to Your will and accept your protection from Satan.  Help me to draw near to You so that I can hear your voice and be able to resist Satan’s temptations, accusations, deceptions, and powers.  Help me to recognize that You have promised to draw near to me if I will draw near to You.  Help me to claim Your promise that when I resist Satan  in Your wonderful and powerful name that he will have to flee from me.  Thank you Lord for your constant protection.  These things I pray in Your name.  Amen. 

 Song for the Day, “I Surrender All” by Judson  Van Denter   

Thought for the Day     

If you have trouble submitting to the Lord, try getting out of the driver’s seat.

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh     

            II Corinthians 12:7 states, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”  For centuries Bible expositors have postulated on just what St. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was.  However, no one really knows what this “thorn” was.  If he had been a choral director, I think I know what this “thorn in the flesh” would have been.  It would doubtless have been a choir member who did not sing quite on pitch.  

       Paul prayed for the removal of this problem but the Lord, in His great wisdom, did not remove it.  Do you have something or someone that troubles you incessantly?  Are you perplexed that this “thorn in the flesh” has not been removed?  St. Paul believed that the Lord did not remove this problem so that he would not be “exalted above measure”.  In the midst of this perplexity Paul could see a loving God at work in his life.  In verse nine Paul recorded that the Lord promised him that “my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  This precious Bible promise is still available for all those who have some problems that just won’t go away.  God’s grace is still sufficient for every need that a Christian musician has in the twenty-first century.

Song for the Day “Make Me a Servant” by K. Willard.   

Thought for the Day     

We are often ashamed of our areas of weakness.   God uses these “thorns” to cause us to realize that we need Him.