A New Song of Renovated Character

A New Song of Renovated Character

Psalm 144:9 states, “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.”

       Christian musicians have been born of the Spirit and have passed from spiritual death unto life.  God has so thoroughly renovated their inner character that they have actually put off the old man and by his saving power have put on the new man.  Old things of the old life and of the old sinful man have passed away and behold all things have become new (see II Corinthians 5:17).  God’s saving power has made his musicians new men and women.  For more information on the new man you should read Ephesians 2:15, 4:24, and Col. 3:10.

       It only stands to reason that this new musician with a new inner character should sing and play a new song. This new song is new because it is a song of renovated higher character. Therefore, it is a much better song.

       As a Christian musician ask the Lord to give you a new song—one that is of a different character than the song you sang when you were dead in trespasses and sins (see Eph. 2:1).  Make sure that the music part of the song you offer unto God is of a changed character.  The music part of the music of the new man should represent the new changed life.  Changing your music may be painful to you as a musician but it is necessary if your musicing is going to truly represent the life of a Christian.

                                      Thought for the day 

Christ is not merely an added Dimension to the Christian’s life.  God is not merely added to one’s old life.  The same concept is true of a musician’s musicing.  The born again Christian musician does not merely add some songs about Jesus to his or her songs about what goes on in the life of one who is dead in trespasses and sins.

God will Restore the Backsliding Musician

God will Restore the Backsliding Musician

       Hosea 14:4-5 states, “I will heal there backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.  I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.  His branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.”

       This Bible message from God through the prophet Joel is to the backsliding musician, or any person, for that matter.  If you are a backslider, God will heal you!  God promised that if Israel would (verse 1) “return unto the LORD thy God” that He would “love them freely”.  God’s anger would also be assuaged if they would only turn their hearts back to Him. 

       If you feel dry and parched spiritually, God will “be as the dew” unto your soul.  It is wonderful that God has promised the backslider is that if he or she will repent, He will moisten the heart as dew.   Furthermore, God proclaims that the former backslider will grow like a lily.  The Hebrew word parach (6524) translated here as grow literally means to break forth as a bud.  God promised that if the backslider would repent and turn back to Him, this person’s life would flourish and grow again. 

                                      Prayer for the day-God will restore the Musician

Lord please help me to be wise enough to repent of anything in my life that would displease you.  Please do not let my theological beliefs ever stand in the way of me having a clear conscious that is void of offense toward you Lord.  Thank you that you love all of us that, if we repent, you will forgive and restore us ever though we are undeserving of your love.  Thank you Lord that when we repent, you never hold a grudge against us.  These things I pray in your name.  Amen

With the Voice of Singing

                                   With the Voice of Singing  

       Isaiah 48:20 states, “Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with the voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, the LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.”

       At this time Israel was in Babylon, they had transgressed God’s law.  God, in his tender mercy, was going to make it possible for them to leave Babylon.  God was going to “place his arm on the Chaldeans” to help Israel to escape.

       Have you ever found yourself in trouble and then realized that it was your own fault?  Musicians are famous for blaming everyo0ne else for their problems.  However, I have lived long enough to learn that it isn’t what happens to us that really matters when we get in trouble in trouble.  No, it is how we react to what has happened to us that makes the difference.

       Notice that God said to Israel,”go”, “flee”, and “declare with the voice of singing”.  Today He is asking Christian musicians to declare “with the voice of singing” that “the Lord hath redeemed” us and will also deliver us from the “furnace of affliction (vs. 11).”

       It is important to note that the Scripture uses the terminology “with the voice of singing.”  Sometimes we can sing our way to victory when nothing seems to work.  If you are in the “fiery furnace” just now, try singing God’s praises!  I remember the Bloom sisters singing the song “It’s amazing what praising can do.”  That song has been a source of help to me many times when I have been troubled and so depressed that I felt like leaving my place of music ministry.  If you are depressed and feel that there is no way out of your trouble—try praising God with the “voice of singing”.  

Quote for the day 

“There is a difference between people who sing songs about Jesus and those who sing who know Jesus.” (Rev. Tim Keep)

Review of Tim Fisher’s The Battle for Christian Music

Review of Tim Fisher’s The Battle for Christian Music

                This book is an excellent discussion about Cristian music.  Although his work has been wrongly accused of being biased eisegesis, this accusation was made without scholarly basis.   The main argument presented has been that Fisher considers classical music to be God honoring and that such an argument is unfounded since such music was completely “completely foreign” to the Old and New Testament eras.        Although musicologists are aware that classical music was not yet developed in ancient Israel, recent deciphering of the te’amim above and below the Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the entire OT have proven that the six and seven note diatonic scale did exist.  Furthermore, the deciphering of the ancient Hurrian song found in the ruins of Ugarit has been deciphered by Dr. Anne Kilmer et.al. has revealed a seven note diatonic scale with half steps between 3^rd an4th and 7^th and 8^th degrees of the scale. This music also had a harmony part and a sound quite like what we have in our hymn books. So, perhaps Fisher’s accusers, being unaware of current scholarship, are incorrect in considering Fischer’s eisegesis in his book. 

            Every author writes from some philosophical viewpoint and from personal music perspective and preference. After all this is Fishers work so one should expect his work to be written from a personal perspective. I suggest that you give Fisher’s The Battle for Christian music a fair read rather than taking his accuser’s word as an excuse to ignore this excellent presentation.  Garen L Wolf

Getting Started Musically part 3

Getting Started Musically part 3    
             Parents are the primary source of musical upbringing, but they should not be the only source. Today’s schools, both public and private, have a responsibility to educate their students musically. Christian musicians are especially needed to answer the call in our schools. It may not be easy to work in a small church or Christian day school, but lack of resources and big enrollment numbers should not discourage musicians from bringing music to the scholastic table. Every student needs the opportunity to develop their own musical talents and to have positive musical experiences. “Although music instruction in school is important to the development of those students who are talented in music, its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life for all students by developing their capacities to participate fully in their musical culture.”  Walker, D. E. (1989) Teaching Music: Managing the Successful Music Program 2^nd ed., Belmont, California: Wadsworth Group/ Thomson Learning,p.317. 

            Our Christian students must have a basic music education in order to become well-informed and God-honoring adult music consumers. How can students be expected to develop a music philosophy if they have not been given the tools to understand the fundamentals of music? In his book Music Matters, Elliot says, “Without developing some competency in the procedural knowings that lie at the core of musical practices and musical works, and a first-hand knowledge of the circumstances in which these knowings apply, a listener’s perspectives on and relationships with music will remain moot in the most essential  regard.” Elliott, David . Music Matters: A New Philosophy of Music Education. New York: Oxford University Press, USA.1995, p. 57)    

Thought for the Day     

It should not surprise Christian parents when we are reminded that it is our responsibility to train our own children musically.  Lowell Mason introduced music education in the Boston public schools after the church and parents failed to train their children musically.

Getting Started Musically part 2

Getting Started Musically part 2    

            Parents do more than just pay for lessons. They practice regularly with the child, provide motivation and encouragement, and go to lessons, recitals, and music stores. It is crucial that parents are committed to the success of their child’s musical experiences. They must be willing to practice with their children every day. Not every child will be a music performance major, but every child should be given the opportunity to experience music for themselves through singing it, listening to it, and playing it. 

            According to Shinichi Suzuki, “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.” (suzukiassociation.org)   When it comes to the development of a child’s philosophy, mentorship is a must! It is not something to be passive about. Kids need to be given a sense of possession in their music selections, but should not be free to make choices without carefully determined guidelines. I believe that instead of telling our kids everything they cannot do or listen to, we need to show them how it is possible to live according to Biblical standards.    

Thought for the Day  

The reason so many people do not learn to play an instrument when they are children is simply that many Christian parents do not consider music education to be vitally important.

Getting Started Musically part 1

Getting Started Musically part 1    

            The next three posts are taken from an unpublished monograph “Finding Truth in a World of Musical Deception” by Rachelle Wolf and is used here by permission.  Ms. Wolf holds a BA in Christian Music ed. From God’s Bible College and an MM in violin performance from Miami University.  She is an experienced string teacher, is Suzuki certified and  is an elementary and secondary Christian School music educator.  The thoughts for the day are mine. GLW

            The first musical experiences that we have take place in the home. Children derive their first tidbits of knowledge from their homes, from their parents. They determine likes and dislikes, they develop appreciations, they learn to hear and internalize information.  A child will follow the example they see in their authority figures, and music is no exception. For this reason I believe that it is imperative that parents instill an appreciation for music in the lives of their children.  “The first three years are the most critical for musical stimulation...Each year after that is critical, but the effect on nurturing the musical aptitude is a little less than the previous year... How clearly you are able to hear and respond to tunes at age nine is approximately the same as how clearly you’re able to hear tunes as a grownup.”  Fuller, C. How to Grow a Young Music Lover: Helping Your Child Discover and Enjoy the World. Wheaton, Illinois: Harold Shaw Pub, Colorado 1994, p.11. 

            I began taking music lessons at a very young age and I am also a violin teacher, and I have seen firsthand the necessity of parent involvement in a child’s education. “We would do well to review Deuteronomy 6:7, which instructs us to use every opportunity to teach children the commandments of God. We are to impress them on our children. We are to discuss them when we are at home, as we walk along the road, when we lie down, and when we get up.”   Menconi, A. . Communicating Spiritual Values Through Christian Music (Helping Families Grow). Elgin, Illinois: Chariot Family Pub.,1991, p5.   

Thought for the Day

The statement in Proverbs 22:6  “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Is primarily referenced to parents.

Be Strong in the Lord part 2

Be Strong in the Lord part 2 

            It is a wonderful reality that Christian is able to remain strong in the Lord not only once when he or she passes from death unto life when the grace of God is applied to that person’s soul but also time and time again as daily the grace of God is applied to that Christian’s soul.  We not only need the unmerited favor of God applied to our hearts when we come to him as repentant sinners, but  we are in need of God’s grace every day that we live and work for Him.  Paul reassures Timothy that this continual grace of Christ is able to make us able to be strong no matter whatever we have to face.

            Paul reminds Timothy that the Christian will be called upon to endure hardness and that time of trouble the Christian is able to escape any entanglements of Satan that would keep that “soldier” from pleasing God.  These verses are a wonderful reminder to Christians that they do not have to live a life of entanglement and defeat.  Christian musician must learn that Christ has called us to be faithful soldiers.  So, we should stop whining about “hardness” and trials and get busy doing the will of God for our lives.

Thought for the Day

The thought that permeates Paul’s discussion of the grace of God is that it is the grace of Christ Jesus that makes us strong as we face “hardness as a good soldier” rather than our own strength.

Be Strong in the Lord part 1

Be Strong in the Lord part 1

            2Timothy 2:1-4, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.   And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”  These four verses in St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy contain wonderful promises and admonitions for Christian musicians today.  As I read these verses today, the thought of the great grace of God brought joy to my heart.  The Greek word charis (5485) means the act of divine influence of God upon the soul of a believer.

            Although charis is used in a number of applications in the NT, it is generally understood to mean, in most instances, the grace of God wrought upon the believer’s heart rather than gratitude which some modern translators mistakenly translate.  Certainly the heart and mind of the believer who has received his unmerited favor of God is without doubt filled with gratitude, but the meaning of God’s grace is much more meaningful than mere gratitude.

Thought for the Day

It isn’t our gratitude, although it is vitally important, but rather God’s Grace that makes us to be able to be overcomers.

Levite Administration-part 4

Levite Administration-part 4

            From verses six and seven of chapter twenty-five we see that the various members of the 288 musicians were instructed in the following:  Songs of the Lord, cymbals, psalteries, and harps.  Furthermore, verse seven tells us that all 288 were cunning (995) or could teach or perceive concerning music.  Verse eight refers to the 288 musicians as teachers and scholars.  As we can see from the explicitness of the scripture, the Levite musicians were organized.  I Chronicles fifteen gives the specific job of each of the musicians:  verse nineteen names three leaders (chiefs), vocalists, and cymbal sounders; verse twenty names eight psaltery (lyre) players; verse twenty-one names six harp players.  The words alamoth and sheminith give specific instructions as to how the instruments were to be played.  Finally, verse twenty-two mentions another leader "And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song:  he instructed about the song, because he was skillful."  Various writers have made conjecture that he was a voice teacher or a choral director.

            The significance of this ancient Temple Levite administration is that it shows a very high level of development and organization.  Over the years I have been surprised at the number of Christian musicians who were so independent that they could not, or would not, work with others in a Christian organization.  As one of my former music professors used to say, “Some musicians have to be the bell sheep or they refused to be a sheep at all”.  It is a shame that so many Christian musicians have failed to understand that there is strength in numbers and there is great strength in organization and community of musicians.

Levite Administration-part 3

Levite Administration-part 3

            I Chronicles 23:1-2 states, "When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son King over Israel.  And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites."  In chapter twenty-five of 1 chronicles we see a complex organization of church music.  Verse one states, "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. . ."  Some writers believe that the term "captain of the hosts" means the chief of the Levites.  If this is so, perhaps Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun--all chief of Levites--helped King David set up the organization mentioned in verses eight through thirty-one.  It should be pointed out to avoid confusion that the Jeduthun mentioned above is generally believed to be synonymous with the name Ethan of I Chronicles 6:44, and 15:17 and 19, whose father was Kishi (Kushaiah).  Another Ethan mentioned in I Chronicles 6:42 was the son of Zimmah.  We do not have record of the father of Jeduthun, but the name Ethan was only used these two times in conjunction with Asaph and Heman.  All the rest of the times (which were many more) the trio is recorded as Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun.

            At any rate, as we discussed earlier, these three chief Levites in I Chronicles twenty-five were the scholars under whom a complex system of twenty-four divisions was organized, each division consisting of twelve vocalists and instrumentalists, separated by lot and totaling 288 musicians in all.  Furthermore, we can hypothesize that the six sons of Jeduthun, the fourteen sons of Heman (notice no daughters are mentioned in verses 8-31), and the four sons of Asaph made up the leaders of the twenty-four divisions and were leaders of a second degree--each having eleven students.  A study of Levite Music Administration shows that there were chief musicians, teachers (the sons of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman) and a number of sons of each chief musicians, and that these students and teachers were divided into lots.

Levite Administration-part 2

Levite Administration-part 2

            I Chronicles 16:5 also shows the order and chain of command of the Levite musicians.  "Asaph the chief (7218) , and next (mishneh 4932) to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom:  and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals."  This example show their rank.  Asaph was chief and the rest were "next" or mishna which means of the second rank.  Note that this organization specified that the Levites of second rank would play melodic musical instruments and that Asaph the conductor would sound or direct with the cymbals.

            I Chronicles 15:16-24 is another example of Levite music organization.  Verse sixteen states, "And David spake to the chief (8269) of the Levites to appoint (amad 5975) their brethren to be singers with instruments of music. . ." and verse seventeen continues, "So the Levites appointed (5975) Heman. . .Asaph. . .and Ethan. . ." and verse eighteen "And with them their brethren of the second (4932) degree. . ."All of these musicians as well as the students mentioned in chapter twenty-five of I Chronicles were all under these three chief musicians.  It would seem there could be little doubt that the chronicler is stressing the organization, excellence, and administration of the Levite musicians.  The example left for us is that everyone had a rank and a job and as far as we know they worked together in harmony without one single complaint recorded in scripture.

Levite Administration-part 1

Levite Administration-part 1

            Although we do not know all the significance of the order and organization imposed on the Levite musicians, we do know from scripture that they were accustomed to a high degree of organization.  I Chronicles 6:32-48 tells us of some of that organization when it states in verse thirty-two, "And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem:  and they waited on their office according to their order (misphat 4941) ."  Misphat means a formal decree giving this statement the import that their placement was of importance to the program of organization.

            Verses thirty-three to forty-four tell us that Heman the singer stood in the middle and Asaph stood on his right side and Ethan on his left.  Evidently they stood in their respective positions with their sons or brethren (vs. 33 and 44).  We are not informed as to why they stood in this order, but it was important enough for the chronicler to record.

“The Devil should not have all the best tunes”

“The Devil should not have all the best tunes”

            This much used, and may I assert, overused quote, was not a fact at the time it was made and is still not an accurate reflection of the whole of all of the melodies ever written.  Those who still perpetuate the erroneous notion that Satan has had or now has control of “all” of the “best tunes” are simply unaware of the whole of music tunes that have ever been written. 

            Perhaps this erroneous notion is still perpetuated because so many Christian musicians are unaware of what an “excellent melody” actually is.  For his reason, it is essential that every Christian who makes musical decisions for his or her Christian organization must have a thorough understanding of music theory so that one can have the tools necessary to make such decisions.  Also, when one studies the history of secular and sacred music history it becomes apparent that for centuries, at least in Western Music, a great majority of the most excellent melodies that have been composed over many centuries are written in music styles that are God honoring.

            I would readily admit that this does not encompass the whole of Western Music or World Music.  Satan has most certainly had many of these melodies written under his influence.  However, although Satan has had a powerful influence over music in the 20^th and now in the 21^st century, he has not dominated the whole of music historically, and he has not dominated the whole of music in the twentieth century or even this new century!  Praise God, there are still composers “…who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”

Ideas about the Psalms

Ideas about the Psalms

1.                  Moses gave Israel 5 books of Torah (Law)

David et. al. gave Israel 5 books of Sepher Tehillim   

2.                  The Division of the Psalter into 5 books is strictly a man made contrivance. 

3.                  The Psalms for the most part are not connected in any real way. 

4.                  David only wrote about half of the Book of Psalms.  (73 in total) 

5.                  The Psalms are the production of many author-poet-musicians-composers. 

            6.                  Psalms with no inscription                 24

             Psalms with David’s name                 74
Psalms with Asaph’s name                              12

Psalms of the sons of Korah                            10

Hallelujah Psalms                                            10

Psalms (or songs) of Degrees                          10

Psalms with Solomon’s name                           2

Heman’s Psalm                                                  1

Ethan’s Psalm                                                    1

Psalms with inscriptions but no name               6

Moses’ Psalm                                                    1

          total      150

7.                  The author of the Book of Psalms is The Blessed Holy Spirit. 

8.                  It is generally believed that the Psalter was formed gradually. 

9.                  Tradition generally considers that Ezra made the final recension of the Psalms about 450 B.C. 

10.              The notion that some of the Psalms were from Maccabean authors is spurious. 

11.              Only the Psalms that were considered divinely inspired were added to the collection. 

12.              The “imprecatory” psalms are probably the most misunderstood. 

13.              The Titles or Inscriptions of the psalms.  Some believe that Ezra added the inscription to the Psalms when he made his recension of the Psalms.  There is no reason to believe that he “made them up” but rather that he found them in the ancient text. 

14.              There have been serious attempts to discredit the inscriptions as spurious additions of an even later date than the time of Ezra.  To my knowledge there is no evidence to support such a theory.   

15.              Inscriptions are of at least three types:

1.                  Those which mark musical or liturgical character

2.                  Those which assign a particular or general author(s)

3.                  Those which designate the particular circumstances under which the     psalm was composed 

16.              The Book of Psalms is the oldest extant collection of mono-thistic poetry in the world today.  

17.              The Book of Psalms (as poetry) is respected by saints and sinners alike.  It is a great collection of poetry. 

18.              The Book of Psalms is the only complete collection of plenarily inspired sacred songs that have ever been given to the Church.

WHY WAS DAVID ULTIMATELY SUCCESSFUL? Part 2

WHY WAS DAVID ULTIMATELY SUCCESSFUL? Part 2

            What was the difference between Saul and David?  Spence  put it this way.  "Saul was a man's man, David was God's."  The major difference seemed to be their very different attitudes toward God.  Saul disobeyed God by taking Agag the Amalekite king alive and by saving the best of the animals.  When the prophet Samuel faced him with the problem Saul lied when he said (I Sam. 15:13b) "I have performed the commandment of the LORD."  When the prophet Nathan faced David with his sin of adultery, David replied (II Sam. 12:13) ". . .I have sinned against the LORD."  As we can see, both men faced times of failure in their lives, but it seems that it was the difference in their attitudes that made the difference.

            So, the distinguishing difference between Saul and David was their attitudes toward God.  Both men made serious mistakes, but David admitted that he had sinned and that he need God’s forgiveness and cleansing.  David was successful because he sought God’s forgiveness rather than trying to rationalize his way out of his sin and mistake.  It is one thing for a Christian to make a mistake and thereby fall into sin, but it is another for that musician to try to rationalize his or her way out of that error.  So, if you need God’s forgiveness and cleansing, do not take the easy way out.  It isn’t a musician’s mistakes that ultimately control his or her destiny, but rather it is one’s relationship  and attitude toward God that will determine his or her ultimate success at the end of that musician’s life.

WHY WAS DAVID ULTIMATELY SUCCESSFUL? Part 1

WHY WAS DAVID ULTIMATELY SUCCESSFUL? Part 1

            Sometimes when we observe a successful professional church musician we wonder what the secret to this person's success really was.  How did the musician get started?  Was success the result of some special "break" in life or was it based on the church musician's great talent?  What about David the "sweet psalmist of Israel?"  Did you ever wonder what the secret to his success really was?  David's successes were phenomenal.  He became King of Judah (II Sam. 2:4), King of Israel (II Sam. 5:3), developed and organized the system of music for the first Temple (I Chron. 25:1-31), performed the first recorded music therapy of the Bible on King Saul (I Sam. 16:14-23), wrote about half of the "Book of Psalms" (see Chapter VI in Music of the Bible in Christian Perspective on the Psalms), killed a lion and a bear (I Sam. 17:34-36) and killed the Philistine giant with a stone from a sling (I Sam. 17:38-49). 

            A look at the early life of the man who accomplished all these things reveals that he had a very humble beginning.  He was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite.  In I Samuel chapter sixteen, Jesse had seven of his sons to pass before Samuel for blessing to become King, but Samuel the prophet knew immediately that God had refused them all.  Verse eleven of that chapter says, "And Samuel said unto Jesse, are here all thy children?  And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold he keepeth the sheep."  So, Jesse sent for his youngest red-haired son.  Verse twelve states, "And he sent, and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy (132), and withal of a beautiful (3303) countenance and goodly (2896) to look to.  And the LORD said, Arise, anoint (4886) him:  for this is he."

            Although David had a beautiful outward appearance and was a pleasant person, he was probably not nearly as tall as Saul (I Sam. 10:23) who was ". . .higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward."  As a matter of fact (I Sam. 16:7), Eliab was probably more like Saul in stature than David and had a good countenance like David.  However, God chose David the musician because of his heart (vs. 7).  Samuel, speaking of David, told King Saul (I Sam. 13:14) "But now thy kingdom shall not continue:  the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart. . ."

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 3

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 3 

The worshipper must know the fundamental truths about God and His nature before musical worship can be authentic or real. Furthermore, the worshipper must be living in fellowship and relationship with God before musical worship can be authentic and real. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that “Ye worship ye know not what.” Jesus said in St. John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Paul told the Corinthian church in I Corinthians 14:15b “I will sing with the spirit (4151 pneuma - spirit, Holy Spirit), and I will sing with the understanding (Greek 3563 nous – intellect, i.e. mind either divine or human) also.”  Psalm 47:6-7 states, “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. ⁷For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” (Hebrew 7919 sakal – to be circumspect, with prudence, skill, wisdom, or intelligence).

If you have an Oxford KJV, look at the center reference and you will see that the Oxford scholars rendered “with understanding” as “every one that hath understanding.” If our praise singing is to be efficacious or effective, it must be done by a congregation of people who have spiritual understanding. What this means in Kentucky Greek is “how can you have ‘spiritual understanding’ if you don’t know God?” Above all else our musicing unto God must be done by a congregation of people who are walking in the light of the truth of their knowledge and understanding of God and His will for their life.

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 2

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 2

Genesis 1:1 states that “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Colossians 1:16 tells us “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:” Hebrews 2:10-12 further explains why we music unto God when it says, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” Verses 16-18 continues, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 4:14-16 caps it all off with these words, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” 

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 1

 Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 1

We worship the Creator not the created things. Romans 1:25 tells us about what happened to those who worship created things rather than the One who created all things. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature [i.e. the created] more [rather] than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.” Music is a created thing. It is dangerous to worship music. As a matter of fact, it is idolatrous to worship music. Worshipping musical performance is the result of a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of Church music in worship. The listener-performer phenomenon is a misuse of music in worship. 

Have you ever pondered on the thought of why we include music in our public and private worship of God? Why don’t we just speak all our worship to God? Why do we music unto Him? Musicing unto God helps us to understand and express effectively who God is and what He does. In the act of musicing, we are able to express our response to the claims of God upon our lives. Sometimes words alone cannot fully express the depth of our response to God. So, we music unto Him.

Why Christian Music Education? Part 2

Why Christian Music Education? Part 2 

         Yesterday I opened the can of worms concerning educational preference and conviction.  Perhaps I should define the terms “educational preference” and “educational conviction”.  Educational preference, as it will be used in this discussion, is defined as a greater liking for one type of school over another.  The term educational conviction is the strong belief that it is the responsibility of Christians to train their own and that this can only be done properly through a Christ centered education in the context of a Christian school. With these definitions the reader can see clearly why many Christians feel convicted that the Christian school is a must.

        It is puzzling to me that a number of Christians feel strongly that we must have Bible colleges and Christian universities, but that our children should attend public schools.  Certainly if our college age young people need a CE, our children who are in the process of making life-long decisions need the shelter and philosophical support of a Christian school.  For these reasons I contend that a CE is a necessity and not merely a preference if our children and young people are going to develop a Christocentric whole-life philosophy.  Anyone who denies the power of a Christian teacher’s long term influence on their students does not understand the philosophical power of teacher/student relationships.

Why Christian Music Education? Part 1

Why Christian Music Education? Part 1            

            Is the Christian school a conviction or a preference?  If a Christian education (CE) is a mere preference then it is not a necessity, and Christian music education (CME) is most certainly not a necessity.  Every parent, Christian school teacher and administrator must know why they and the students they teach are involved in a Christian school.

             Although I do not want to be overly simplistic I believe that those who have the means and have a quality Christian school near them, I can see no reason for Christian parents to deny their children a Christian education.  As I have pointed out so many times in my writings, the statement in1Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” extends to the education of one’s household.  I furthermore contend that it also pertains to the music education of our own.  Every Christian parent must remember that when Lot chose the well-watered plains of Jordan near Sodom and Gomorrah, he made an excellent choice for his cattle and a poor choice for his children.

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 5

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 5  

            The Word declares in 2Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  That verse has been well translated in the AV and does not need my feeble interpretation to make it understandable.  Over the fast forty years as I have traveled, I have observed in the offices of many music pastors a few books written about hymns; a commentary or two; and a hand full of other books about worship.  These meager collections are evidence enough to indict these musicians on the grounds of historical and biblical ignorance.

            The answer to this dilemma is STUDY.  In any field of endeavor a professional is never too busy to gain the necessary knowledge to develop a philosophical and practical basis that is necessary to get the job done properly.  The passage quoted in 2 Timothy above gives adequate argument for studying music in the Bible.  Without this study the Christian musician who is a “workman” is sure, in the light of what the Bible teaches about music, to sooner or later be ashamed because of his or her lack of a Bible based philosophy that would have guarded and guided that music minister’s praxis of musicing unto God.   Every Christian should be much more concerned about what God thinks about his or her music ministry than the opinions of people. 

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 4

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 4   

            It is of little wonder that the writings of Christian musicians are almost silent when it comes to any reasonable historical or exegetical understandings of the music of ancient Israel and the music of other cultures that surrounded Israel which are also mentioned in the Old Testament.  This stony silence by Christian writers is the result of musical and historical ignorance of the music of these ancient cultures.  This silence is also the result of the notion that the music of the Bible is not relevant to the music and musicing of Christian musicians today. 

            If Christian musicians are going to come to any clear understanding that are relevant to sacred music in the twenty-first century, these musicians must come to grips with the building blocks of music that were created by God in His acts of creation.   All Scripture is God breathed and has been made profitable to Christian musicians in every generation.  Christians should quit whining about “seeing through a [musical] glass darkly”, as though the study of music in the Bible is the only difficulty in studying and understanding the meanings found in the Bible. 

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 3

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 3   

            The notion that God does not have anything to say about sacred and secular music is false.  As a matter of fact, this faulty view actually denies God’s authority over the whole of creation which includes the whole of music.  It behooves all of us to study His Word in order discern His will concerning how we music.  It is also safe to conclude that all music matters very much to God. Although it is presumptuous to claim to know exactly all that God thought when he thought music into existence, we do know from His infallible *inspired Word more about how to *music unto Him than many Christians suppose. 

            The study of the meaning of what the Bible teaches about music and musicing is fraught with mystery and misunderstanding.  One of the reasons writers misinterpret and misunderstand this music of antiquity is that they are dealing with the Sacred Writings about the music of the Bible that were written thousands of years ago.  A second reason is that we have a propensity to view the whole of music through Western eyes through the philosophical window of the music of the Occident.  A third reason that the study of music in the bible is so fraught with mystery and misunderstanding is that when we read about the history and practice of ancient Hebrew music, the writings of of these historians and musicologists many times are filled with incorrect and very incomplete information about this ancient music.  A fourth reason that protestant musicians often misinterpret what the Bible teaches about music is that many of them do not read after great Jewish music scholars who many times have a much better understanding of ancient Bible music.  This misfortunate circumstance has caused a plethora of misunderstandings of the well-known history and practice of music during Bible times.  However, in fairness I would admit that the writings of some of the Jewish scholars in the twentieth century were also fraught with misunderstandings concerning what the Bible and ancient history teaches about this music.

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 2

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 2

God’s opinion is always given either implicitly or explicitly in his Word. So when God mentions music in the Bible, His Word embodies absolute truth concerning all aspects of music. Therefore, when His Word said that God created we know that music was created in a very good condition.  I believe that God created music and, as He conceived it to be, it was very good (me’od towb).  The reason I believe it was very good is that His Word attests that it was.

            One may honestly ask, “What is God’s opinion concerning music?”  This is an honest question so it deserves an honest answer.  Part of God’s ultimate and perfect opinion concerning music is found in the more than 600 references to music in the Bible.  Many doctrines are only mentioned a few times in the Bible, but music is so important to God that He mentions it hundreds of times in the inspired infallible Word.

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 1

Understanding God’s Building Blocks of Music-part 1

We know that God created the mathematical ratios that form the basis of the musical scale as an intentional part of his six day creation, because He created everything. The Genesis record in chapter 1:31 explains that at the end of the sixth day of creation “God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.”  Therefore, as I have stated many times in my philosophical writings, we know with certainty that in the beginning God created music.  In verse thirty-one God’s opinion is that the system of music He created was very good.

 I do not know about you, but when God’s words specifically mentions music and its involvement with men and women, I search for what God is saying to mankind about music and musicing.  Since God’s Word declares in  2 Timothy 3:16 that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”, I safely deduce that that statement of fact includes the mention of music in the Bible.  

Prayer Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day     

Heavenly Father, I approach Your throne today through our mediator Jesus Christ who is my Savior, Sanctifier, and elder brother.  Thank you for giving Your Son to suffer and die on a cruel cross to pay the price for my awful sins.  Thank You Jesus for declaring my name in the midst of the congregation and for musicing with me to my heavenly Father.  I love You Lord and wish to serve you throughout this life and eternal life to come.  These things I am praying in The name of the Father.  Amen.   

Song for the Day “I’ll Tell the World that I’m A Christian” by B.C. Fox    

Thought for the Day     

My two older brothers David Wolf and Nathan Wolf were always willing to defend me when I needed help.  I think Jesus is like my two older brothers in that He is always willing to help me. Do you think of Christ as your older brother  or do you visualize Him as a lawgiver? 

Preparing To Sound

Preparing To Sound   

Revelation 8:6 states, “And the seven angels which had seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”  

       In the Book of Revelation at the time of the opening of the seventh seal, seven angles were given seven trumpets.  The opening of the seventh seal was serious business.  When the seventh seal was opened “there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour” (Revelation 8:1B).

       Musicing unto our heavenly Father is serious business today.  If the angels in heaven needed to prepare themselves to music in the presence of God, surely Christian musicians need to prepare themselves each time they minister in God’s house. 

       The ministering servants in heaven were quiet before God for about a half hour as part of their preparation for “sounding” in His presence.  Likewise, we as ministering musicians must have a time of quietness in the presence of God before “sounding’ i.e. musicing unto our heavenly Father.  It is my opinion that public music ministering should be somewhat like an ice berg.  By that I mean that there is much more hidden beneath the surface than the part that the church attendee witnesses during the worship or evangelistic service. 

       Christian musicians spend years “tuning their harps’ but many times, because they are so busy, spend little time “tuning their heart” before ministering publically.   How much time do you spend “tuning your heart” before musicing unto God?  It is very important to prepare our music before we minister, but it is just as important to prepare our hearts, by practicing the Presence of God, before we come before His presence with musicing.