The Shift in Sacred
Music Paradigm—part 3
Until the twentieth century,
rhythm in sacred music was used to help build tension in music but always
subsided in a final relaxation to achieve finality. As I have said before,
music flowed in a forward directionality from relaxation to tension to find
relaxation. All well-constructed musical
compositions have a beginning, a climax and an ending. Rock music does not normally let you relax
anywhere or at least not often in the composition. Therefore it is not biblical in its
enactment.
Jesus said in St. Matthew
11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.” He did not say, “I will give you continuous tension,” or “I will keep your heavy
laden or burdened down.” The heaviness
and incessant tension created by the preponderant beat of rock music is not
compatible with the good news of the gospel.
Even our heartbeat is made of tension and release. The good news presented by sacred music
should bring ultimate rest, not tension.
Music that is compatible with the Gospel of Christ or the Logos Christos
must come to regular points of rest.
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