What is a Music Philosophy? Part 2

What is a Music Philosophy? Part 2       

           In order to discuss the development of a philosophy of music we must be able to define what it is. Many church musicians and music educators that claim they do not have a music philosophy are outspoken about what should or should not happen in church music and in music education.  Although they declare that they do not have a philosophy of music, they do have one; it just is not systematic, thorough or written. A Christian musician’s beliefs about music and musicing should be written and they should be systematic.  

             A Christian musician who does not want to be ashamed must "Study to shew thyself approved (dokimos1384) [i.e. tested] unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).  The act of testing one’s music philosophy to make sure that is approved unto God connotes accountability on the part of the Christian musician.  Paristemi (3936) which is translated shew in the AV means, among other shades of meanings, to prove or to show that what the Christian is “doing” rightly divides the true truth taught in the Bible.  2Timothy 2:15 is translated in the ASV, “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.”