Are There Any Absolutes?—part 3

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 3

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

Thought for the Day. 

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

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

Thought for the Day. 

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

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 2

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 2

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

Thought for the Day

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

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 1

Are There Any Absolutes?—part 1

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

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

Thought for the Day

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

The LORD Gives True Wisdom

The LORD Gives True Wisdom

Proverbs 2:6-7, “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”

            Solomon mentions three important things that god provides for the righteous.  They are   knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  Every Christian musician must gain knowledge about music and musicing.  Knowledge of music is the solid foundation for being able to understand music’s meaning.  Without understanding of music and musicing the Christian musician is a “loose cannon”.

            Solomon explains that the self-existent, independent eternal God who “is”, “layeth up sound wisdom” for the musician who is righteous.  The Hebrew word tuwshiyah (8454) means the ability to possess intellectual understanding which gives the Christian musician wisdom.   The English word buckler is derived from magen (4043) connotes a protection and defense.  God will provide the Christian musician with protection as tough as an alligator’s hide.  So, Christian musicians fear God and walk uprightly as they study music, are promised that God will make complete provision for them.

Song for the Day  “God Will Take Care of You” by Civilla D. Martin

Scripture Wisdom for the Day

Proverbs, 1:7, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Am I Really Clay on God’s Wheel?

Am I Really Clay on God’s Wheel?

Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

            Many Christian musicians start their careers as humble servants and allow the Lord to mold their lives and careers.  However, as time passes it is easy to become self- sufficient.  The prophet Isaiah acknowledged two things in his later life.  First, he realized that YHVH was his LORD.  Second, he acknowledged that He was the LORD when He was young, but also that He was still LORD “now”.

            Isaiah also made it very clear that that “we are the clay and thou our potter”.  It is easy to say that we are clay in the hands of the self-existent, eternal, independent God who is our potter, but it is entirely another thing to be flexible and humble enough to let Him mold and remold our lives.  Christian musician are you willing to let our LORD re-shape the musical vessel that belongs to Him?  Are you willing to let Him wad you up into what you consider to be an unattractive lump of earth?  Placing yourself on His great wheel may not be easy but He is the all wise molder of lives and careers.

Song for the Day “Have Thine Own Way Lord” by Adelaide A. Potter

Thought for the Day

A self-centered, independent musician who is a self-starter will probably not believe that God has very much molding to do to make his or her life more useful and productive. 

God’s Word is True Wisdom

God’s Word is True Wisdom

1Corinthians 1:8-9, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

            Since it is the command of God that ministers preach Christ crucified, it stands to reason that it is also a command to music pastors.  Post postmoderns do not believe that there is any objective truth, so they do not believe that the Bible message is absolute truth.  They believe that there often exists opposing “truths” which are only perceived truths.  Since if it feels right it is “truth” to that person, he or she should follow that perceived “truth”.  So, preaching the cross and Christ crucified and resurrected as the victor over sin and eternal death is foolishness. 

            Those of who are saved and have passed from spiritual death unto life know that this salvation is the power of God.   The world knows by wisdom that there is no God, no savior, no forgiveness of sins, and no eternal salvation.  Do not fear the post postmodern’s false wisdom and misguided understanding because God declared in Isaiah 29:14 b, “…for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” 

Prayer for the Day

Lord You are an all wise God.  Your truth is true truth.  Your truth will be true eternally.  You have promised in Your inspired Word that You will destroy the false wisdom and false understanding of those who have rejected Your love and forgiveness.  Help me to never believe the powerless beliefs and false truths of those who do not love and serve You.  Lord help me to trust your inspired Word to be the true wisdom that will guide my pathway throughout this life.  This I am praying in Your all wise name.  Amen.

Thought for the Day

When all of us face Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, we will see who has been hiding under a rock.  When all false wisdom and supposed understanding is stripped away, only those who have believed God’s true truth and have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will stand in that great and awful day.

God Will Take Care of His Musicians Who Are Seniors

God Will Take Care of His Musicians Who Are Seniors

Psalm 71:1-2, “In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame.   Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me.” (ASV)

            Some Bible commentators believe that this psalm was written by David, but this we do not know with certainty because it has no inscription or name attached.  I identify with the writer because in the eighteenth verse he mentions being old and grey headed.  I most often suppose that I am writing to musicians who are young, but when I think about it I know that many Christian musicians are in their senior years. 

            Another misunderstanding is that older Christian musicians are so grounded in knowledge of God’s loving care that they do not get depressed like younger musicians.  I have spent much of my life quoting scripture to young musicians and encouraging them to keep going when their place of ministry brings them much consternation.  However, now that my hair is not only grey but also turning loose, I have recently found myself becoming less sure of myself.  These times have caused me to begin to doubt my value as an active musician etc. etc. 

            The psalmist who was depressed at this time found himself in need of God’s help and deliverance in the first part of this psalm, but later in the psalm he says Ps 71:14-16,”But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.  My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.  I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” KJV So, I have decided to take the psalmist’s advice and stop whining and start praising God “more and more”.

Song for the Day “It’s Amazing What Praising Can Do” by Carroll Roberson

Thought for the Day 

Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  God not only made this day but He also ordered this day.   So, He knows what His musicians are facing today.

God Will Strengthen You

God Will Strengthen You

Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

            A few years ago when I was younger and stronger physically, I was much surer of myself as a musical director.  Now that I am older, Satan attacks me often by telling me that I am no longer strong enough or musically prepared enough to direct instrumental and choral groups.  For the first time in my life Satan tries to convince me to quit.

            I regularly read and study about the great art of music and how I should music personally and how to more effectively lead other musicians.  The more I learn about music the smaller and more insignificant I seem to be.  The other morning the music staff of a Christian Band Camp of which I am a part was having devotions together and I was again attacked by the enemy of my soul who is Satan.  As we were praying together the Lord seemed to place me in the hollow of Hid hand.  As we prayed together tears began to flow and I was strengthened and uplifted in spirit by my heavenly Father.  Throughout the day He impressed me with the Scripture verse above.  I can still Hear Him saying: Fear not…I am with thee…be not dismayed…I am thy God…I will strengthen thee…I will help thee…I will uphold thee.  Right now I am in the hollow of His almighty, powerful, all wise, protecting, and uplifting hand.  By the way there is room enough in here for you too.

Thought for the Day

Jesus never belittles His musical servants!  Instead He makes them Kings and Priests unto God.  Revelation 1:6, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.”

Song for the Day  “We Are Called to Be God’s People”  by Thomas A. Jackson

Music Beyond the Genesis Record-part 6

Music Beyond the Genesis Record-part 6

            2Timothy 3:7 speaks of those who will be present in the “last days” that are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” It is disappointing to read after a distinguished graduate of the Catholic University of America who seemingly graduated from this prestigious University with no regard for the authenticity or inspiration of the Holy Writ.  One moment he is quoting Scripture and the next he is denying its authenticity and usefulness.  I wonder why authors like Dr. Whitwell even bother to quote Scripture when it evident that they consider it to be filled with error, inconsistency and the prejudice of the supposedly anonymous authors  who used someone else’s name and inaccurately wrote it down from hearsay hundreds of years later.

              It is a serious matter when a musicologist or historian disrespects God’s inspired word by summarily dismissing the validity of its content.  Romans 1:28 warns about those who do not like to retain God in their knowledge.  They form their own “wisdom” which denies the authenticity of the truths found in the Bible. 

Scripture Thoughts for the Day

Romans15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

2Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Luke 1:68-70, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:         “

             

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 5

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 5

In St. John 17:17 he declares, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  This verse does not say that the Logos (3056) is not said to be “a truth” but rather Alethia (225) verity or what Francis Schaffer calls “true truth”.  Pluralism admits multiple ‘truths’ at the same time and purports that these ‘truths’ may be opposing truths.  The result of this lackluster philosophical notion is the belief that there is no objective truth.  Without true objective truth faith in Christ is nothing more than a joke. 

If Christians are unable to trust God’s Word, then faith in Christ becomes an unfounded notion.  Romans 8:16 declares, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”  1John 5:6 further declares, “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”  So, when the gullible Christian musician is duped into believing that there is no objective truth, then the witness of the Spirit is no longer reliable.  Under such a false notion, the Christian musician is unable to trust the witness of the Spirit.  Faith then is unfounded because it is not based on the verity of God’s Word.

Thought for the Day

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Although the world makes fun of faith based music philosophy, it is impossible to please God without it.

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 4

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 4

Music educators should be reminded that based on the fact that they are teaching music in a Western culture, and because the study of Western music’s core values is one of the primary aims of music education in this culture, they are obligated to present the best of Western music as the core of their music praxis.  I believe that behind the philosophy that ‘all music gets the same trophy’ is the belief that it is impossible to come to any knowledge of “truth” concerning core values in Western music.

 Elizabeth Ermarth explained that there are two assumptions that are the basis of post-modernism philosophy.  The first assumption concerns the establishment of core values of music. “First, the assumption that there is no common denominator—in ‘nature’ or ‘truth’ or ‘God’ or ‘the future’…”  Hodges quoting Elizabeth Ermarth in A Concise Survey of Music Philosophy by Donald Hodges, p. 226.  It appears that the one thing that post-moderns know is that it is impossible to know.  So, some music educators have capitulated their responsibility that we have to make wise choices concerning the music they teach in their music classes and performing music organizations.  Some have thrown in the towel under the false notion that our students will not accept, understand, tolerate, enjoy any genres of music except pop and commercialized music.

Scripture for the Day

Proverbs 4:13, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 3

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 3

So, under the nihilism that postmodernism ultimately brings music educators are afraid to teach the concept of valuing music based on its quality as an artform. In many music education situations, in order that a music educator may act in a politically correct manner, he or she must give all music compositions in all styles a ‘trophy’ that is the same size regardless of whether these compositions are the work of a hack or a great composer; well thought out and developed musical works; or are trite, banal, or mundane musical compositions. 

There have been core values that have been a continuing thread throughout the development of great Western music over the centuries.  To toss these values aside in favor of the new philosophical position that all musical works are of equal quality is to sadly misunderstand the nature and value of music in Western culture and the core values of music education. 

Scripture for the Day

Proverbs 3:13, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 2

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 2

The Yale Seminar; the Julliard Repertory Project; and the Tanglewood Symposium were 20^th century attempts to improve the quality of music studied.  All of these had a positive influence on the quality of music used in schools in the 20^th century. However, the strong emphasis on studying pop music almost exclusively in some schools caused the quality of school music to decline in the last years of the 20th and now in the 21^st century. 

The inclusion of world music by some schools has broadened music education by making students aware of other music traditions.  However, the study of other musics should not become a platform for Post-modernistic pluralism.  Hodges stated, “Contrarily, one of the difficulties with this position [postmodernism] is that if everything has value, nothing has value, a position which taken in the extreme leads to nihilism.” Donald Hodges, A Concise Survey of Music Philosophy by Donald Hodges, pp 228-29.  Nihilism is “the belief that traditional morals, ideas, beliefs, etc., have no worth or value.”  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nihilism The emphasis of the use of examples of world music should be on awareness rather than to foster pluralism in Western music philosophy or to try to follow post-modernism’s nihilistic agenda of the denial of core values in Western music.

Scripture for the Day

Luke 21:33, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 1

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 1

I have written about this topic before but I would like to add some thoughts about this question.  David Elliott said, “…if everything counts, nothing counts.”  David Elliott, “Music Education Philosophy,” “Music education Philosophy” in The Oxford Handbook of Music Education,” Oxford University Press, 2011, p.68.  Most often when a Christian musician expresses this belief he or she is labeled a bigot; or that this musician is out of touch with reality; or has been hiding under a rock. It is encouraging that some of the major music philosophers are resisting the faulty notion that all music is of equal artistic value.

I have believed for some time that the belief in pluralism has fostered this notion.  The belief that there are no core values concerning music as an art form has caused a generation of music educators to believe that there is little or no reason to have students to study the serious classics as a major part of student’s music education.  The belief that there are no core music values caused the quality of music literature educators include in music education curriculums to decline in the late 20^th century and even more so in this century.  Now banality reigns with much of ‘school music’ replacing high quality music. 

Scripture for the Day

Isaiah 28:10, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”

Perceiving the Words of Understanding

 Perceiving the Words of Understanding

Proverbs 1:2-4, “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.”

            There are a number of things that make it possible for the Christian musician “to perceive the words of understanding” mentioned by Solomon.  As a young man or woman the musician needs to acquire knowledge.  There are many institutions of higher learning where a young musician can acquire musical knowledge.  If a Christian youth desires to have his or her voice to be heard, that person must learn how to read, write and perform music.  Solomon declared that one must “know instruction”.  This is the prerequisite to having wisdom.  In order to have wisdom a musician must be willing to receive instruction. 

            Things to be learned are subtlety, justice, judgment, and equity all these are a must in order for the “young man” to be musically wise.  If there ever was a time when Christian musicians need to acquire the long list of attributes listed above, it is in this century.  The premium is being placed on talent rather than the thorough knowledge that these skills and qualities bring to the place of worship. 

            The word biyn (995) translated perceive in the second verse AV means to separate mentally.  If the young musician is going to make in this perverse world, he or she must be able to be able to perceive the words of understanding  (biynah 998).  These two Hebrew words have very close affinity  I believe a good commentary on their meaning here is found in  Ephesians 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

The Beginning of Knowledge

The Beginning of Knowledge 

            Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Yirah (3374) means, among other things, reverence or a moral fear of God.  What God thinks about me matters.    What I think of God matters too because it will directly affect my respect and trust of Him.   When things are going well for me, I might like to think of God as sort of my buddy, but when the going gets rough, I find myself in need of a strong and powerful God.  When my earthly friends are nowhere to be seen, I find myself needing a God who is able to meet my serious need.   

            When I have problems that are much too difficult for me to solve, I need a big, wise, wonderful God to come to my aid.  Isaiah put it like this, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”( Isaiah 6:1)  When He was in trouble he did not look for a folksy and indulgent God but rather an exalted Holy God!   I do not know about you, but I need a God whose train fills the temple about every day.  Therefore, I plan to visualize my God as High and lifted up. 

Song for the Day Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty by Reginald Heber 

Thought for the Day  If I want to always be able to trust God, I must conceptualize Him as the Almighty rather than my buddy.   

Prayer for the Day

My dear heavenly Father I want to always see You as the Almighty God who spoke the world into existence. Help me to have a right concept of who You are and what you are capable of doing. I know that the beginning of knowledge is knowing You and Your will. Please help me to understand more and more about You each day,  This I am praying .  Amen.

Righteous is the Main Thing

Righteous is the Main Thing

            Proverbs28:5 -6, “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.  Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.”  It is a strange thought to some Christian musicians that wicked men and women do not understand God’s judgment.  Because God does not exact judgment at the end of each day, some musicians are duped by Satan into believing that sinners have it better in this life than Christians. 

            God’s Word attests to the fact that it is better to be righteous and poor than to be rich and perverse.  The reader should remember that I did not make this comparison but rather it was the inspired Word of God.  Rich people do not have to be perverse, but riches can buy many opportunities to experience perversion.  The Christian musician that does not possess much of this world’s goods should be advised of two things.  First, the righteous should concentrate on being righteous and second, should not fret over those who are perverse and also possibly rich.  The Christians responsibility is to walk carefully before God and his or her fellow man.  God will bring judgment on the wicked whether or not they understand that He will. 

Quote for the Day

 1Timothy 6:5-6 “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.  But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  Remember to concentrate on being content every day.  That is the only way that you can keep the main thing the main thing.

Song for the Day   “I’D Rather Have Jesus”  by Rhea F. Miller

Prayer for the Day

My precious Lord I want my life, my heart, and my actions to be pleasing in Your sight.  Help me to always be a good and faithful musical servant.  I know that it is not my might or power or worldly wisdom that my life will be pleasing unto You.  Help me to have the wisdom to ask You for Your wisdom.  Help me throughout this year to seek your will for my daily walk. Help me to concentrate on being righteous.  This I am asking in Your wise and wonderful name.  Amen.

“I Am Helped”

“I Am Helped”   

Psalm 12:7 states, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” 

       The psalmist David expressed that his shield is the self-existent eternal God who is.  He also acknowledged that he received his strength from Jehovah.  Sometimes church musicians only think of the struggles of public music ministry.  They forget to remember and say “I am helped”.  They also often forget just who it is that has helped them.  Practice the presence of God”.  When we receive help in our musicing unto God we need to practice saying out loud “Thank You Lord for helping me”.   It will help you and Satan will not like it because he will know that you have your head on straight. 

       The psalmist David acknowledged that God helped him and, since Jehovah was working in his life, he said, “My heart greatly rejoiceth”.  Do you rejoice when God helps you in your musicing?  Do you greatly rejoice?  Do you really praise God like David with your “song’?  Do not forget that if you need God’s help today, God is just as interested in helping you as he was David in ancient Israel.

Prayer for the Day  

Lord You know what is best for my life.   When something continually perplexes me, I want You to solve it as soon as I bring it to you.  Help me to be aware that You working in my life even when I do not understand why this trial has come into my life.  Help me to believe that Your grace is sufficient for me at this time.  This I am praying in Your name.  Amen.   

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.

Singing to the Rock of Our Salvation-part 2

Singing to the Rock of Our Salvation-part 2  

       Because we joy in the presence of the LORD, we shout aloud the praises of the self-existent, eternal God who is.  We enhance our praise music by singing with instrumental accompaniment.  Because Jehovah is worthy of praise, we lift up our hands in avowal to the triune God. 

       Chief musician, is your heart full of mighty praises to our wonderful Lord?  If not, remember that God is the Rock of your salvation.  As you remember who He is and what He has done, and what he is capable of doing, you can actually come into His presence with praiseful musicing. 

            Every Christian musician must present all his or her musical offerings to God with humility and honesty of heart. They must be presented with humility because no one is worthy of God’s grace, mercy, and love. They must be presented with honesty—because no one wants to be like those mentioned in Matthew 15:8, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

Thought for the Day

Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Song for the Day 

Prayer for the Day  

I want to thank You Lord that You are my strength and shield.  Thank You for helping me in my spiritual walk with You from day to day.  I also want to thank You Lord for giving me special help with my musicing this very week!  Help me to not forget that is You that have brought truth and joy to my life.  I want to take time right now to say “Thank You, thank You, thank You.”  Now Satan knows exactly where I stand today!  These things I pray in Your Strong and mighty and wonderful name.  Amen.   

Singing to the Rock of Our Salvation-part 1

Singing to the Rock of Our Salvation-part 1   

Psalm 95:1-2 states, “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”  (NIV)

       Why do we sing unto the Lord?  We sing because our hearts are joyful.  We are so excited about Jesus the Rock of our salvation that we shout aloud because of the thanksgiving and praise that wells up in our hearts.  Because of this joy we come before His presence with thanksgiving.

       What does it mean to extol the Lord with our musicing?  The word ruwa (7321) which is justly translated extol in the NIV means to shout aloud or to music with great strength.  It does not connote noise making as the AV would suggest.   The word todah (3034) which is translated thanksgiving means literally to extend the hands in worship. The words music and song in the NIV and psalms are derived from the Hebrew word zamiyr (2158) means to accompany a song with instrumental music.  So when we extol God with our musicing we sing with great strength songs accompanied with musical instruments. 

Song for the Day “Spirit of the Living God” by Daniel Iverson   

Thought for the Day

If you really want to “practice the presence of God” in your life, you might try meditating on the Decalogue “day and night”.

Prayer for the Day

Dear Lord I am coming before You with a heart that desires to worship You.  I am lifting my hands and my heart to You.  I am asking that all the vocal and instrumental music that I present to You to bring honor and glory to Your name.  I am returning to You all my strength and all my musicing abilities.  Please accept them as my willing offering to You.  This I am asking.  Amen.

Such as Taught to Sing Praise

Such as Taught to Sing Praise

            There is a very interesting Scripture verse in 2Chronicles 23:13, “And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise….”  I do I not know how many times I have read this verse, but it stood out to me the other day as I was carefully reading the twenty-third chapter.

            Among those who were worshiping was a classification of Levite musicians whose occupational specialty was teaching others to sing praise to YHVH.  Maybe the reason that there are so many musicians who present God with musical offerings that are less than excellent and certainly not appropriate for public worship is that no one in their church fellowship has ever bothered to teach them how to sing praises unto our awesome and holy heavenly Father.  Those of you who are teaching little children to sing praise songs and choruses are doing the future church a great service.  Others may not understand the importance of what you are doing, but God thought it was important to make specific mention of it in His inspired Word.

Thought for the Day

Christian fellowships need many more Christian musicians who will take the time and effort to teach young Christians how to music unto God.

Song for the Day “Praise Him, all ye Little Children” anonymous

Prayer for the day

Precious Lord, I am asking you to pour out a special blessing on all of Your musical servants who teach little children to praise You.  Where ever these special music servants are today, please surround them with Your love and grace and help them to reach out to You and receive your anointing and power for this special musical service to You.  Lift them up before you and make them aware of your understanding and love for the musical ministry they perform.  Help them to raise up generations of Christians who will “know the joyful sound” and will know how to music unto you in this century.  This I am asking in Your Great and awesome name.  Amen.  

Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 8

Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 8 

            Philemon 1:6, “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”  The communication of a Christian musician’s faith in Christ Jesus is accomplished mostly by his or her musicing about, for and unto our loving worthy triune God.  What makes musicing efficacious?  Some would suppose that is only the words that make it efficacious.  I contend that it is not only the text but also the music part of the music that causes successful communication of faith.  Therefore, it stands to reason that the arrangement of the formal properties of the music give this art form the propensity to be more or less efficacious.

            The emotion with which a Christian musics unto God, gives the text and the music part of the music believability.  Certainly every serious musician who’s ultimate purpose is to correctly, appropriately, and effectively communicate faith in Christ to others, desires that his or her musicing will be believable.  Stoic musical performance of sacred music that is disengaged, distant will not be very effective.  The belief that lack-luster musical performance is a show of humility and godliness is a faulty notion.   James 5:16b states, “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  I believe that just like praying musicing needs to be effectual and fervent.   So, emotion fosters believability and believability fosters effectual meaning when one is musicing to others.

Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 7

             Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 7

             This verse is without doubt teaching that the performer i.e. the worshiper should perform the music part of music in such a way that it will impart understanding to all who experience it.  It stands to reason that the inspired writer would have used ado (103) rather than psallo (5567) if instrumental music was to be excluded.  Also, the author of this letter to the Christian church at Corinth would not have commanded the musician to music with understanding if the music part of the instrumental music was so benign and so ineffectual that it was incapable of imparting any understandable meaning to those who would hear it. A definition of the Greek word nous (3563) translated understanding in the AV means, at least by implication, that this form of musicing signifies, not only with the intellect but also with meaning and understanding.  So, the mention of the word psallo which was used in conjunction with nous leaves us with the strong implication that instrumental music coupled with singing imparts understandable meaning to the auditor.

            It is easy for writers and Bible commentators to ignore the musical meaning of what St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:15.  First, we should all remember that the words that St. Paul used in this Scripture passage all have meaning. Second, a great scholar of the Greek language would not, as was mentioned in an earlier post in this series, have used the words that he did, under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, if they did not have musical meaning in the way he used them.  I never want to be guilty of eisegesis when God’s Word mentions music and musicing, but I also get somewhat weary of writers trying to explain away the actual musical meaning of the words used in Scripture.  There was no reason for St. Paul to mention musicing unto God if he did not mean for these words to have musical meaning.

             

Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 6

Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 6

            Remember, no one musics in a bubble and no one listens to the music part of music in a bubble.  Almost universally Christian musicians believe that the words of religious music affect everyone, but much disagreement and disbelief surround these musician’s beliefs about the effect of the music part of the music upon the hearer.  Thus a multiplicity of beliefs spring up among those who are in control of, perform and lead others in religious musicing.  I contend that the music part of religious music and ipso facto the emotions that it invokes in the listener imparts spiritual understanding (or misunderstanding) to the worshiper and or the seeker.  So, I cannot see any way that a   musician can music or a worshiper or seeker can experience musicing without it arousing passion in all who hear, see, and experience it in any way.           

            1Corinthians 14:15 teaches, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”  So, I ask, “What is it then?”   How does one sing with understanding if the formal properties of the music are incapable of imparting any understandable meaning?  I am not satisfied with the lackluster answer that only the words have any power whatsoever to impart understanding to the worshiper.  My reason is simply that the word sing in the AV is derived from psallo (5567) means “to twitch or twang” which connotes the stridulous sound produced when one touches the strings of a musical instrument.  What this proves is that 1 Corinthians 14:15 connotes much more than mere singing but rather the sounds produced by the music part of the music as well as a vocalist merely singing i.e. ado (103).

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 5

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 5

In St. John 17:17 he declares, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  This verse does not say that the Logos (3056) is not said to be “a truth” but rather Alethia (225) verity or what Francis Schaffer calls “true truth”.  Pluralism admits multiple ‘truths’ at the same time and purports that these ‘truths’ may be opposing truths.  The result of this lackluster philosophical notion is the belief that there is no objective truth.  Without true objective truth faith in Christ is nothing more than a joke. 

If Christians are unable to trust God’s Word, then faith in Christ becomes an unfounded notion.  Romans 8:16 declares, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”  1John 5:6 further declares, “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”  So, when the gullible Christian musician is duped into believing that there is no objective truth, then the witness of the Spirit is no longer reliable.  Under such a false notion, the Christian musician is unable to trust the witness of the Spirit.  Faith then is unfounded because it is not based on the verity of God’s Word.

Thought for the Day

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Although the world makes fun of faith based music philosophy, it is impossible to please God without it.

Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 5

 Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 5  

            Emotions related to musicing and music listening are by far not the only important part of the music experience.  They are important because they must be congruent with what the Bible teaches about music and musicing.  The emotions that are aroused must also be congruent with the Changed life of a Christian.  Since all music and musicing must come under the Lordship of Christ, all emotions that surround the musical experience must follow the commands and admonitions of Scripture such as 1Corinthians 9:27 teaches,  “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”  2Corinthians 7:1 also teaches, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

            The way that Christian performers dress and the bodily movements they make while musicing coupled with the effect that the formal properties of the music have on the audience will strongly affect the emotions of all who share in the musical experience.  Sight and sound are bold intruders into the human psychic.  Anyone who denies this truism is either naive or less than honest.  We should all be reminded that music is first received physically i.e. we hear and feal it.  Second, as the electrical system of our body picks up sounds and vibrations, these electrical impulses pass the neurological synapses in the brain and cognitions take place.  As one ponders (muses) on these thoughts, he or she reacts emotionally and mentally to what has taken place in the music experience.  As performers and listeners think on these emotional states triggered by the music that they have encountered, they are either helped or hindered in their spiritual journey and relationship to Christ.

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 4

More Thoughts on--“Is All Music Created Equal?”—part 4

Music educators should be reminded that based on the fact that they are teaching music in a Western culture, and because the study of Western music’s core values is one of the primary aims of music education in this culture, they are obligated to present the best of Western music as the core of their music praxis.  I believe that behind the philosophy that ‘all music gets the same trophy’ is the belief that it is impossible to come to any knowledge of “truth” concerning core values in Western music.

 Elizabeth Ermarth explained that there are two assumptions that are the basis of post-modernism philosophy.  The first assumption concerns the establishment of core values of music. “First, the assumption that there is no common denominator—in ‘nature’ or ‘truth’ or ‘God’ or ‘the future’…”  Hodges quoting Elizabeth Ermarth in A Concise Survey of Music Philosophy by Donald Hodges, p. 226.  It appears that the one thing that post-moderns know is that it is impossible to know.  So, some music educators have capitulated their responsibility that we have to make wise choices concerning the music they teach in their music classes and performing music organizations.  Some have thrown in the towel under the false notion that our students will not accept, understand, tolerate, enjoy any genres of music except pop and commercialized music.

Scripture for the Day

Proverbs 4:13, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”