Does Instrumental Music Arouse Emotions in the Listener?

Does Instrumental Music Arouse Emotions in the Listener?

            Job 17:6, “He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.”  The figures of speech in this verse gives us evidence that, at least during the time Job lived, Jewish musical instruments were connected with emotions.   It is evident from the use of the Hebrew word topheth (8611) here translated tabret was connected to the emotion of mirth or joy.  We do not know with specifity from this mention of the topheth whether or not they considered the actual sound of this instrument aroused the emotion of mirth or joy. 

            Topheth was doubtlessly a drum because of the meaning of “smiting” or striking and because it is derived from the word taphaph (8608) which is a primitive root word that means “to drum”.  From this knowledge we safely hypothesize that the ancient Hebrews believed that drumming aroused emotions.  One of the hot philosophical topics in this century is the heated discussion of emotion and meaning in music.  Since the use of musical instruments have since antiquity been connected to the arousal of emotions in the hearer Christian musicians should give serious consideration to what kinds of emotions instrumental music arouses in the psyche of the listener.

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 6

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 6

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

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

Scripture Thought for the Day 

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

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 5

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 5

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

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

Scripture Thought for the Day

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

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 4

Considering Anti-Music-part 4

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

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

Scripture Thought for the Day 

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

Considering Anti-Music-part-part 3

Considering Anti-Music-part 3  

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

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

Scripture Thought for the Day 

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

Considering Anti-Music-part 2

Considering Anti-Music-part 2

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

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

Scripture Thought for the Day 

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

Considering Anti-Music-part 1

Considering Anti-Music-part 1

            I believe that this name anti-music was originally a term tending to use irony or mockery to represent the negativism of some musical compositions of the 20th century. It was also a term discussed in a music web site called antimusic. As far as I can tell the name originally came from a coined term in the book Broken Record: The Inside Story of the Grammy Awards by Henry Schipper.  Schipper recounts in this book that the Academy and their awards program were initially set up as the old-line music biz’s answer to the growth of Rock n’ Roll, a form of music they considered “Anti-Music”. 

             Perhaps another way to look at the meaning of this word is to consider it any form of music that defies convention to such a degree that some people would not recognize it as musical or a legitimate music genre.  Perhaps a better understanding of this term would be any form of music intended to overthrow traditional conventions and expectations.   Some other related considerations of anti-music could possibly be anti-genre music or noise-music.

Scripture Thought for the Day

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

Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

            Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”  This scripture warns the Christian and t the same time commissions him or her to GO!  The Scriptures below tell the Christian musician HOW TO GO!  Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”   Ps 144:9,  I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”

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

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

Christ Is Really Going to Return

Christ Is Really Going to Return

John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

            Jesus said that if He went away He would come again to take us to the place that he was preparing for those who love and serve Him.  It is no wonder that devout Christians get excited during the Advent season.  The angels announced to the saints  in the Book of Acts 1:11, “…Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  When Jesus ascended into heaven what was about to become a sad occasion became a blessed one because these saints were given the promise of Christ’s second Advent.

            Now what are we supposed to do as we approach the Advent season?  One thing is for sure, we should not waste our time writing books about the exact date that Christ will return.  The nobleman of the house, just before he went away, told his servants in Luke 19:13, “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”            Pragmateuomai (4231) which is translated occupy here in the AV does not mean that we should go to church and occupy a pew but rather it means to busy oneself with the LORDS work.  In the same manner,  inLuke 24 Jesus said, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”  So, Christian musician, you should begin in the church where you minister and in the community where you live and work—those places are your “Jerusalem.

Contented Christian Musicians

Contented Christian Musicians

            1Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”  Every Christian musician must remember that godliness is essential to being a Christian.  However, being godly does not insure that a Christian musician will be content.  Paul is here instructing Timothy that Christians who are not content are impoverished.  The apostle purports that “great gain” is accomplished by being godly and by being contented.

            Hebrews 13:5 also instructs Christian to, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  This Scripture very plainly teaches Christians to not be covetous and to be content.  Aphilarguros (866) connotes not being greedy.  So, are there Christian musicians who are greedy?  Evidently there are Christians who struggle with greed.  So the writer of the Hebrew letter instructs Christians to “be content with such things as ye have”.  He further reminds Christian musicians that God has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  Take time today and read Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5, 1Chronicles 28:20; Psalm 37:25; and Matthew 6:25, 34.

God Will Not Share Glory With Musicians

God Will Not Share Glory With Musicians

            Psalm 146:1 “Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” Verse one declares that it is the responsibility of every believer who loves Yahh (3050) to praise YHVH.  Those who love God still have the responsibility to praise.  The Hebrew word used in verse one is halal (1984) which means, according to Strong’s dictionary, “to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate”.

            When we music unto God we should boast, shine, and celebrate!  Our celebration should always be a celebration of who God is and what He does.  Musical worship is never about the music or the musicer, but rather it is always about the blessed Trinity.  If we worship music, our musicing is an act of idolatry—nothing more and nothing less.  If we celebrate the musicer, our gratitude is by no means an act of worship.  When the performer is the center of attention, what could have been true worship becomes a musical event or a concert.  Isaiah 48:10-11 “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.”   Again Strong explains that the word “glory” i.e. kabowd (3519) properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour”.  So, God has declared that He will not share His splendor and honor with anyone—which includes musicians.

Quote for the Day

Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”

My Philosophical Credo

                                            My Philosophical Credo

           I believe that the more than 600 references to music in the Bible are given by inspiration of God and are profitable doctrine for reproof, correction, and instruction today.  I believe that the Bible provides us with timeless, relevant, usable, practical and spiritual guidance in the 21^st century.  I believe that the only completely safe teacher of church music philosophy is the Holy Spirit who is capable and willing to guide us into all truth concerning music ministry in this century. 

I believe that there are absolutes concerning music ministry.  I believe in profundity, appropriateness and standards of correctness in church music.  I believe that CHURCH MUSIC MATTERS and that CHURCH MUSIC MATTERS to God.  I believe that although there is room for taste in church music ministry, it is not all a matter of personal taste.  I believe God created music and that He thought it into being.  I believe that since God thinks about music it behooves us to study his Word to ascertain what He thinks about music.

I believe that good causes in music may be served.  I believe that even though we live in this present evil world, we are not of this present world.  I believe that conservative Spirit filled musicians can effect positive changes in church music.  I believe that churches, Christian schools and Bible colleges who have a Christocentric music philosophy can catechize the next generation of music educators and church musicians to put on the “whole armor of God” that they may resist the stratagems of Satan that surround us.  I believe that conservative Christian musicians may be renewed in the spirit of their mind in such a way as to affect positive change in Bible believing church music ministries.  I believe that under the anointing of the blessed Holy Spirit, conservative Bible believing ministers of music may fulfill the Bible mandate in Genesis 1:26 that man made in God’s image should have dominion over all the earth which includes music.  

Patience with Young Musicians

Patience with Young Musicians

Luke 13:6-8, Then he gave them this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came to look for fruit on it, but found none.  So he said to the gardener: "`See, for years I have come looking for fruit on this tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why should it actually cumber the ground?” But the gardener answered him: `Lord, let it alone this year also, till I have dug around it, and fertilized it.  (MNT)

            Jesus gave this parable of the man who owned a fig tree that for several years had failed to bear figs.  Have you ever experienced a musician that you would consider to be a fruitless musician?  We have a tendency to consider young musicians that are head strong and seem to make more bad decisions than good ones. 

            The “owner” wanted to get rid of the problem tree but the faithful “gardener” begged the owner to give him “this year” to dig around it and fertilize it.  I want to be a faithful gardener rather than an “owner”.  The young musicians that God has entrusted to me are not my property—they are my responsibility.  I am asking the Lord of Harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest.  Therefore, I must remember that they will never go into His harvest if I “cut them down” rather than build them up in the most holy faith.

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 2

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 2

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

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

Thought for the Day

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

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 1

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 1

            Colossians 3:16-17 teaches, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  Many speakers and writers miss the lessons taught in these verses because many skip these verses in their comments or at least they make little or no mention of the music lessons taught here.  I suspect they were so intent on getting to the eighteenth verse so that they could once again tell women to submit that they miss the musical import of these verses in Colossians chapter 3.

            Men are normally the ones who have trouble submitting.  Everyone who musics unto God must submit his or her musicing unto God.  I have often considered the topic of the problem of Christian musicians maintaining ownership of their music and musicing.  Without going to hat topic deeply today let me simply remind us all that we, as Christian musicians, are not owners of the great art of music but rather ministering servants.  Furthermore, “…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.”  It is shocking to many Christian musician that all of a Christian’s musicing, both secular and sacred, must come under the Lordship of Christ.

Thought for the Day

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

Aesthetics in A Christian’s Music Paradigm—part 2

Aesthetics in A Christian’s Music Paradigm—part 2

 As I have often stated, the Christian should not develop an aesthetic approach to religion, but rather a religious (biblical) approach to aesthetics.  Music aesthetics is by no means the bellwether of Christianity.  Having an aesthetic experience with music does not form any proof, nor is it any indication that the Holy Spirit has placed His anointing or approval on a musical performance or a performer.  However, aesthetics and aesthetic experiences with music are important and must be considered in our discussion of both musical paradigm and music philosophy.  Music’s beauty is an important part of its nature, and will definitely affect what that music will communicate to the musicer and the listener.

The Christian musician must be cognizant of the fact that although beauty, as it relates to music philosophy and ultimately musician unto God, is in some aspects a personal matter.  However, the Bible does consider beauty in music and in Psalm 89:15 it very clearly states, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.”  So, the aesthetic consideration of sound is not completely a matter of taste or personal opinion.

Thought for the Day

Since the Bible states very vividly that some people understand what the “joyful sound” is, conversely, some people evidently do not understand what it is.

Aesthetics in A Christian’s Music Paradigm—part 1

Aesthetics in A Christian’s Music Paradigm—part 1

            The Christian musician must become aware of where the aesthetics of music has been placed in his or her musical paradigm.  Although we will consider many more aspects of aesthetics in the life of a Christian musician, pin pointing where aesthetics is placed in one’s musical paradigm, and ultimately in that person’s music philosophy, is essential to the establishment of what that musician considers the nature and value of music to actually be.

            It is often difficult to get a church musician to explain his or her specific beliefs about aesthetics in church music, if that musician does not consider this aspect of philosophy toe even be important.  In the business of a Christian’s music ministry, that musician must be personally convinced of the importance of aesthetic philosophy before that musician is willing to dialogue about what aspects of aesthetics are or are not congruent with a Bible based music philosophy.

Thought for the Day

Since a Christian is never autonomous, but always subject to the laws of God, every Christian musician must seek to find and do God’s will—and that includes music and musicing.

What Colossians 2:8 Says about Philosophy

What Colossians 2:8 Says about Philosophy

What Colossians 2:8—”Beware lest any man spoil (esomai-2071) you through philosophy (philosophia-5385) and vain deceit, after the tradition (paradosis-3862) of men, after the rudiments (stoicheion-4747) of the world (kosmos-2889), and not after Christ.

1.  The English word philosophy is used only once in AV, N.T.

2.  Spoil---esomai is in future tense i.e. what will follow.

3.  Philosophy---philosophia refers to Jewish sophistry.  Sophists were teachers of logic.

4.  Tradition---paradosis-the transmission of Jewish law.

5.  Rudiments---stoicheion-the principles or propositions

6.  World-kosmos---the people of the world.  In this case what the people of the world base their beliefs upon—their philosophical beliefs.

How Music Philosophers "Know"

                   How Music Philosophers "Know"

Epistemology—The theory of “knowing” and the limits of “knowing”.

Methodology—The system a philosopher uses to establish “knowing”.

Music philosophy—The love and pursuit of wisdom about music—i.e. the search for truth about music.

A music philosophy is —A series of systematic beliefs concerning the nature and value of the whole of music.

Nature---The essence of the quality or qualities that make music what it is.

Value---The character or essence of the music that makes it estimable or valuable.

Meaning---The understanding that that experiencing music performance gives to the performer and listener.

Is Musical Style Involved in the Communication of Meaning?

Is Musical Style Involved in the Communication of Meaning?  

 Traditional thinking Christians who are conservative in their music philosophy are concerned about making sure that the musical styles that they use in musicing unto God are suitable vehicles.  Although it is not popular or politically correct to use the terms “good” and “bad” in conjunction with religious musicing, the terms are appropriate.  When I consider appropriate vehicles, I am talking about the music part of the music and not merely the texts of religious songs.   There is a continuum along which music genres move that places them somewhere between excellence in quality and appropriateness and ineffectiveness, to the point of being ineffective music vehicles for representing God’s perfect moral character and being communicators of spiritual values.

 Richard S. Taylor put it this way, “The difference in good and bad church music is the emotion generated.  On the one hand there is that which is selfward and manward; on the other that which is Godward, upward, and decisive.  This is why in all the various possible forms, sooner or later a line is reached beyond which the music ceases to be a good conductor of spiritual edification, and instead becomes a conductor of fleshly stimulation.”  A Return to Christian Culture by Richard S.Taylor, p. 89.  As I have often told  college students, I am not as concerned about exactly where a Christian musician draws the line that Dr. Taylor was referring to musically as I am about the fact that Christian musicians are, in many cases, no longer drawing any philosophical lines at all.  The fact that the musical “light bulb” of style is not suddenly on or off makes it much more difficult to discern when a musical style is too worldly or sensual to be a proper vehicle for sacred musicing.

Bible Principles of Musicing vs. Personal Preferences-Pt 2

Bible Principles of Musicing vs. Personal Preferences-Pt 2

           There is something that I have learned over the years that has helped me—my musical preferences do not matter enough to cause me to break fellowship with other musicians who disagree with me. In the light of what words spoken do to relationships, most musical preferences really do not matter as much as we think they do when the waves of adversity and disagreement are blowing.  At these times we need Christian musical friendship more than having our way musically.   What we need to do in these times is let the blessed Holy Spirit be our rudder to help us stay out of “foot in mouth disease” and remain on course musically.

            I am not saying that my philosophical preferences do not matter.  I am simply acknowledging that my relationship with other Christian musicians matters more than most of my musical preferences.  They matter enough for me to disagree agreeably with my Christian colleagues who are of a different opinion about music education, music ministry, and church music preferences. So, I must very carefully differentiate between Bible principles of musicing which are not negotiable because if the Bible clearly teaches something we must all follow this teaching.  There is a difference between my personal musical convictions which are based on my interpretation of what the Bible teaches about how I must music unto God; and my musical preferences that what make me most comfortable musicing unto God-- which are negotiable.

Bible Principles of Musicing vs. Personal Preferences-Pt 1

Bible Principles of Musicing vs. Personal Preferences-Pt 1

            What the music educator or music minister firmly believes about the nature and value of music at its deepest levels should exude from that musician’s musical convictions.  These musical convictions should be derived, at least partially, from Bible principles of musicing.  An example of a Bible principle of musicing is one’s belief, based on Ephesians 5:19, that there is more than one genre of music that is appropriate for public worship.  A musical conviction is the strong feeling of being sure that what that musician believes about music is true and therefore must be followed. For instance, a musician may believe that the strong incessant rhythms in a particular genre make this music an inappropriate vehicle to represent the moral nature of God. Therefore, since the Christian is not comfortable with the music part of this music, he or she is convinced that it is not an appropriate worship vehicle, that musician may be said to have conviction against using it in a worship setting.  A musical preference is different in that it is a greater liking for one musical alternative over another.  As the reader can see there is a dramatic difference between the two terms.

            I am not only passionate about  what the Bible teaches about music an musicing and my philosophic music convictions,  but I am also passionate about the philosophical preferences that I have which I earnestly believe are important to excellence in musicing.  I will endeavor to be true to my personal beliefs about how I should music unto God but at the same time I must recognize that they are my personal convictions that I have developed from my interpretation of what the Bible teaches about music and my lifelong study of music . I also have personal preferences about the styles of music and the way I interpret these styles of music in my personal music ministry.

Evidence that Demands Our Attention part 2

Evidence that Demands Our Attention part 2

            Why all this fuss about music history?  The import of this discussion is simply that in the beginning God created music.  It is my belief that it is possible that, under inspiration, God revealed the te’amim to the ancient Bible authors who wrote both music and words as a unit or a musical Melos. If musicologists and Christian authors who write on Church music would treat the Bible with respect, like Stolba has, they would have many more answers to music's beginning.  

            The written Bible notation is without doubt musical evidence that demands our attention and respect.  Again, I want to say that music began when God created all things.  When Jehovah revealed it to mankind is still a mystery.  "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.“ I Corinthians 13:12

Evidence that Demands Our Attention part 1

Evidence that Demands Our Attention part 1

            As we discussed yesterday, by the time Stolba’s book was published the evidence was overwhelming that, based on current knowledge of Ugaritic and Hebrew music notation, Western music did not start in the West, but rather in the Near East.  If they had listened to Plato, music historians could possibly have avoided much of this misconception.  Most certainly a careful study of the te’amim (musical notation of the O. T. Scriptures)  and the Ugaritic notation would have proven precise written music notations long before the existing Greek fragments.,

            So, after much confusion, musicologists are now face to face with the fact that the notation of Bible music is authentic and that it is very ancient.  Music historians now realize that the Ugaritic notation is 1400 to 1500 years older than the Greek musically notated fragments found at Oxyrhynchus, Egypt and that Bible music notation is at least 3000 years old. Depending on when the te’amim were developed, written Bible music may be much older than the 3000 years date given by Stolba. (See The Development of Western Music, K. Marie Stolba p. 5)

Retaining God in Our Knowledge

Retaining God in Our Knowledge

            In 1960, Donald Grout published his famous, “A History of Western Music”.  In this treatise, Grout is careful not to be specific concerning the origins of music.  He attributes the beginning of Western art music to the Christian church.  He also states that “Greek mythology ascribed to music a divine origin and named its inventors and earliest practitioners gods and demigods, such as Apollo, Amphion, and Orpheus.”3 He also mentions Old Testament references to music but does not recognize Bible music as authentic knowledge concerning the beginnings of music.  

            In 1971, Edith Borroff published, “Music in Europe and the United States”.  She begins her treatise on music history with “Speculation on the beginnings of music is endlessly fascinating, but no certainty is even likely to come to it.”4 Although Borroff was unaware of it, the Hebrew Scriptures had authentic knowledge about Ancient music notation.  

            In 1990, K. Marie Stolba published, “The Development of Western Music History”. She begins this treatise on music history by reminding history students that “Plato placed the origin of music in creation, and numerous legends present music as a gift of the gods or the invention of one of them.”5 She begins chapter one by acknowledging the music of Ugarit and the te’amim (musical notation) of the Bible.6 

            I was thrilled to see a college text with an excerpt from the Old Testament including the te'amim.  Although it has taken centuries for music historians to come to knowledge of the truth, Musicology has forced music historians to retain God in their knowledge. (See Romans 1:28)  

3 A History of Western Music, Donald Grout, p.3.

4 Music in Europe and the United States: A History, Edith Borroff, p.3.

5 The Development of Western Music: A History, Edith Borroff, p.3.

6 Ibid, p.5

Does Satan have the power to pervert music?

 Does Satan have the power to pervert music?

            Does Satan have the power to take God’s creation of music which Genesis 1:31 tells us was “very good” and rearrange it until it is no longer very good?  I believe the answer is yes!  Satan perverts many things that God created for His glory and our good.  For instance, when Satan twists sex into his perverted form it is no longer the wholesome wonderful thing that God created for us.  Since we know this, why do we struggle with the concept that Satan can pervert music?  It is the work of Satan to twist, pervert, and destroy the original work of God’s creation.  That is what Satan does!  So, any praxial view purporting that all music is good, no matter how it is arranged, is a faulty view. 

            Can we trust Satan?  The answer is "yes we most definitely can".  We can trust him to always be Satan!  He never takes the day off.  I believe he is very busy working on music.  Can we trust the music that he works on or influences musicians who arrange the building blocks of music (which belong to God)?  Yes, we can.  We can trust that his perverse influence will permeate it.  

            You may ask, “Is it easy to always tell whether Satan has influenced the building blocks?"  No.  "Why?" II Corinthians 11:2-3 warns us, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Music's History and Significance

Music's History and Significance  

            Music theorists and historians have stubbornly resisted the fact that the ancient Hebrew Scripture helps us to identify the beginnings of music.  Scholarly sources like The New Oxford History of Music report, “It is very difficult to say anything definite about the origin of music, because the phenomenon is quite outside the range of our observation.  Even in those primitive civilizations that still exist there is no race so primitive that it can be considered a relic of the beginning of human culture.” 1 The problem with this statement is that we should not look for the origin of music in any existing remnant of early civilization but rather in the Old Testament Scriptures.  It is true that the Pentateuch is relatively silent as to the specifics of the beginnings of music.  However, we do know that God imparted musical knowledge to man before the flood.  Genesis 4:21 states that Lamech’s son Jubal “was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.” 

            What really matters most to Christian musicians is not exactly where music started, but how it began.  As we have discussed earlier, "In the beginning God created" everything--that certainly includes music!  Every theory starts with a whole laundry list of presuppositions.  A Christian music philosophy also starts with presuppositions.  These include:  God created.  Gods created music in a very good condition.  God owns music.  God created music for his glory.  God created music so that we may music in a way that will bring honor and glory to his name. God create music for the edification of  man.  God created music not only as a science but also as a fine art.  God created music so that we could enjoy the beauty of "created music".  God expects the Christian musician to "subdue" music.  (We will discuss this in a late blog.)

Both God and Satan Think about Music

Both God and Satan Think about Music

            In his act of creation, I believe that God thought about music.  The fact that God thought about music should be evidence to us that God still “thinks” about music.   He did not say I was, but rather "I am" (Exodus 3:14). Therefore we can safely deduce that since God thinks about music, we know that he has an opinion concerning music.  Therefore, it behooves us to study his Word to see what he thinks about music.

            So, God thinks!  Satan thinks also.  God thinks about music!  Satan thinks about music also.  God knows that music has a powerful influence upon us.  Satan knows that music has a powerful influence upon us.  God created music for His glory and for our good.  Satan has perverted music so that it will influence us to turn away from God.  God meant music for our good.  Satan means to destroy us spiritually by perverting the great art of music.  How do we know that Satan works continuously to pervert music?  We know he does because we can trust Satan to be Satan.  There is no “good side” to Satan since he is the antithesis of God.

Thought for the day

It amazes me that so many musicians who know that Satan is continually working to pervert suppose that, when it comes to music, he "took the day off".

Are You Weary Yet?

Are You Weary Yet?

          After all the Christmas activities and all the Christmas productions, most Church musicians are more than weary.  Those who have never experienced the extreme pressure that these activities place upon Christian musicians have absolutely no idea of what they do to musicians.

            Although I do not know how to adequately explain it, I know that they take something out of the Christian musician that he or she does not regain readily.  Musicians often operate on adrenalin for days at a time. When it is all over and things are put away Christian musicians often crash emotionally and physically.  I remember that for years when the programs were over in Cincinnati and we had traveled our family’s homes in Kansas I would get physically sick.  One Christmas I took the chicken pox when we got to Kansas. Believe me, it is no fun to get the chicken pox as an adult!

            I have given you some of the gory details so you won’t feel like you are the only one who gets sick or deeply depressed after these programs and concerts are all over.  I wondered for years why God let me and other musicians get depressed and physically ill after these great times of ministering unto Him.  Finally I got it through my thick head that Christian musicians are human beings and we are susceptible to the laws of nature just like everyone else.  So, just remember that you are not super-human and that for every action there is a reaction.  Remember, god loves you when you are up and when you are down!

How Should We Then Worship? Part 4

How Should We Then Worship? Part 4

          The last three posts have given a tiny thumb-nail sketch of part of the principles of musicing clearly taught in the Bible.  Regardless of whether a fellowship of believers chooses to use or not use instruments as a part of public worship, their use does not violate Bible principles of public or private worship.  As God breathed over His Divine Word, He would not have said that their use was a “good thing” if it was something that He as the self-existent, independent, eternal God who is prohibits.

            How should we then Worship?  How should then should we music unto God?  Christian believers should find the answers in what the Bible clearly teaches rather than in the traditions of men.  I am not saying that a fellowship of believers should throw their time honored traditions of musicing unto God out the window, but I am saying that they should not impose their traditions of musicing unto God that are not clearly taught in  the Bible upon ALL who worship God in musical response.  It important that all of us who include music as a part of worship clearly differentiate personal preference from Bible musical mandates.

Thank you for a Great Month of December 2017

Thank you for a Great Month of December 2017       

            This month was the 60th month of my blog which contained devotional and philosophical thoughts for Christian musicians. I have written over 3022 posts since this blog was started in January of 2013. There have been several times this year when I have experienced a certain amount of writer’s burnout.  However, I am praying that my posts in 2018 will stimulate both the regular and new blog members to remain faithful to their musical Ministeries. It is my continued prayer that each new post will bring honor to our heavenly Father in 2018.  The over 1,800 page views of my blog this month were experienced by people who read a mixture of philosophical and devotional thoughts.  We have had over 103,000 page views since the blog was started in January of 2013.  Since I started this blog the page views have come from 124 different countries. It is interesting to note that a little over one half of the total page views since we began in January 2013 have come from the united States and the other one half have come from a varied combination of the other 123 countries scattered around the world.

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

            We would like to welcome the country of Estonia to our blog family this month. The ten countries with the most page views this month were:  USA, Russia, South Korea, France, Ukraine, China, Germany, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey.