Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 4

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 4

            This series of blog posts has been quoting portions of various churches music philosophies that I consider to be excellent.  Today I am recommending a very thorough and excellent church music philosophy presented by Calvary Baptist Church in Quincy Michigan.   As a matter of fact it is written so well that I hesitate to quote a small portion lest the reader should miss reading this wonderful writing about the nature, value and meaning of church music.  However, I will quote a tiny portion of this church music philosophy just to give you a taste of this series of systematic statements:

            “Many churches try to avoid the division and collisions by having two, three or more services catering to the tastes, especially the musical tastes, of the various generations. Some churches have separate services for the Builders (WW II generation) the Baby Boomers (post WW II generation) the Generation Xer’s, and the Net-gen’rs (The Internet Generation)- all of whom have unique musical tastes and cannot seem to relate to or worship to the music of the other generations. Churches that have not gone to separate services have tried to have “blended” services that incorporate something for everyone musically. However, even in this blended worship atmosphere there is some sanctified “teeth grinding” going on.

            Some have come to believe that the music used is key to real worship taking place. The seeker sensitive church philosophy is very dependent upon the music used to get those worship feelings up and running on Sunday morning. Many worship “experts” freely admit this. They will advise up and coming worship leaders to use certain upbeat numbers to kick start the service and get the energy up. Then, to maintain that mood they advise them to use certain other pieces that have a certain tempo, volume and key… In this writer’s opinion, no single issue has polarized, divided and sometimes destroyed congregations more than the music used during worship services.”  http://cbcquincy.com/about/where-we-stand/on-music/ 

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 3

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 3

            Here is a small portion of another church’s music philosophy.  I am only quoting a small portion of their excellent music philosophy, I suggest that you visit their web site and read their entire published music philosophy.  This church has also published some life-style requirements for those who are involved in the Church’s music ministry that are a must read for worship leaders.

            “The purpose of the church is to glorify God in all that it does, by resisting the worldly elements of the culture in which it exists. The church must be a light in a dark place (John 8:12). Music is an important way to bring honor and praise to God. Though it is not required for worship to take place, music can enhance worship. Music in corporate worship should extol God for His many attributes and blessings as well as give testimony to Him by bearing witness to what He has done in our lives (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)…

Excellent Christian music will contain all of the qualities that make sacred music worshipful and

spiritually edifying (as listed below) and none of the qualities that cause it to seem worldly:

1. LYRICS: That uphold and exalt the person of Jesus Christ.

2. MELODY: That creates a worshipful environment.

3. HARMONY: That supports the message and spirit of the piece.

4. RHYTHM: That is subtle, not dominant or abrasive.

5. MESSAGE: That is doctrinally correct.

6. STYLE: That is distinctively spiritual as opposed to worldly.

7. PRESENTATION/DECORUM: That is tasteful and honoring to our Lord.

8. APPROPRIATENESS: That responds to the occasion and purpose.

9. EDIFICATION: That is directed toward the hearer, and not self.

10. OBJECTIVE: That is a ministry, not a performance. “

http://www.stjohnsfbc.com/files/musicweb.pdf   

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 2

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 2

            In the next few blog posts I am quoting part of some churches music philosophical statements which I consider to be excellent examples of the use of music in the context of Christian worship.  Although a music philosophy that is thorough must consider the nature, value and meaning of religious music, these excerpts will not necessarily consider the whole of sacred music in the context of Christian worship.  These excerpts are not intended to be thorough or complete but rather I have picked them to stimulate the Christian musician’s thinking concerning the church’s philosophical positions on sacred music.

            “…music plays an integral and important part of the ministry. We strive for a balance, using it in most of the services and other activities, but realizing it is only a “part” of our worship of God. While we can worship and praise God with music, we understand that we are not limited in our worship to music or singing alone. True worship of God involves all areas of our life as we live in obedience to the revealed will of God as found in His Word. 

            When we do express our worship and praise with music, it is our goal to use music that reflects the character and nature of God in his holiness and righteous. This should be done “in spirit and in truth” with an attitude of humility and gratitude. Though done with the best of our abilities, it isn’t done to entertain, but with reverence, to exalt the gracious and merciful Lord we adore.  We find the basis for the purpose of the music ministry of the New Testament church in Col. 3:16.” http://sherwoodbaptist.com/about/music-philosophy/

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 1

Putting Your Church’s Music Philosophy in Writing—part 1

            Ministers of Music are often so busy “doing” tht they fail to put their church music philosophy in writing.  Rather than believing that the church’s reputation should be enough to cause prospective attenders to trust that when they get to church on Sunday morning that the musicing will not offend them, church musicians should take the initiative to publish the church’s music philosophy and praxis.  Committing a church’s music philosophy to pen and ink will also help those who are responsible for the use of music in public worship to evaluate what they are doing with their musicing unto God.

            Since religious music and musicing has divided more churches than theology in recent decades, it seems only reasonable that churches should publish and live by what they publish when it comes to how they music unto God.  First, a church needs to think through very thoroughly what they believe about the nature, value and meaning of the whole of music.  Transparency may be somewhat painful for church leadership, but honestly is always the best policy.

            I have presented only a few published philosophical statements.  I am in no way indicating that they are the only excellent published music philosophies that may be found in church web sites.  They have been placed in this blog series for one or more reasons.  Some are included because of their thoroughness, because of the way these excellent statements have been presented, because of their deep philosophical truths, or because they have stated very clearly how the church musics unto God in the context of worship.  Our hat is off to churches that have understood the importance of putting their music philosophy in writing!

A Music Philosophy Is a Belief System—part 2

A Music Philosophy Is a Belief System—part 2 

            Without systematic guiding principles a Christian musician will likely make musical choices that are faulty. Biblical principles that relate to musicing must be the foundation of a philosophy of music.  The Christian musician must be careful to analyze the fundamental  grounds and concepts that govern all music and musicing to be sure that all philosophical beliefs are Christocentric. As I mentioned before, all of a Christian musician’s philosophy of music must be in alignment to the matrix of God and His Word, which is His divinely, inspired guidebook for Christian musicians.

                One of the stratagems of Satan is getting Christian musicians to try to have the best of both worlds.  He influences church musicians to try to make there musicing unto God as much like the world as is possible.  He convinces them that the music part of music is benign and therefore does not matter.  A multitude of Christians now believe that sacred music does not need to be “new sing” i.e. music which is of a higher renovated character.  Many church musicians music just like the world musics because they know “I’ve got friends in lower places”.  Because they find it hard to break away from the old crowd and the old life, they hang on to the way they musiced when they were not Christians.

A Music Philosophy Is a Belief System—part 1

A Music Philosophy Is a Belief System—part 1

            A music philosophy is a belief system by which a musician governs musical activities. Utilizing a philosophy of music will help a musician make wise musical choices. Music philosophers refer to a music philosophy as a belief system because it systematically justifies a musician’s musical choices. If it is not congruent with what the Bible teaches it is without doubt faulty, and if it is not systematic and congruent with other Christian beliefs, it is incomplete at best.

            Someone, along with Frank Peretti, needs to herald the message that there is a matrix of “This Present Darkness”. A matrix is something from which something else develops or exudes. On one side there is God’s matrix and on the other, the matrix of this world, which is influenced by Satan. Matthew 6:24 explains that “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  So, congruency with what the bible teaches about music and musicing is a must if a music philosophy follows the matrix of God rather than that of Satan.

Faith Basis and Christocentric Music Philosophy-part 4

Faith Basis and Christocentric Music Philosophy-part 4

Note: on 6/2/2018 and 6/3/2018 we presented parts 1 and 2 parts of this topic.           Fourth, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”  Romans 1:17 teaches very clearly, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”  Most probably one of the most important components of Christocentric music philosophy is its “faith Basis”.  The musician can know about true truth and can be a righteous person but God’s word declares that above all else the Christian must take on the “shield of faith” in order to quench (sbennumi 4570) the fiery darts of the wickedness.  So, God’s word is not negative but rather very positive for those who are willing to follow Bible precepts.

            God’s Word declares that faith basis is capable of extinguishing the work of wicked influence in this world.  If I had made that declaration it wouldn’t have meant very much—however God’s powerful Word promised Christians that faith basis will have great power in this world. Faith based music philosophy must be tempered and influenced by, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…”

Faith Basis and Christocentric Music Philosophy-part 3

Faith Basis and Christocentric Music Philosophy-part 3

Note: on 6/2/2018 and 6/3/2018 we presented parts 1 and 2 parts of this topic.          

The Christian musician must put on “the breastplate of righteousness”.  Christian musicians must do the right thing but they must do it in the right way—their “stand” must be saturated with righteous actions.  All of us know that there is a right and a wrong way to stand for truth.   The Christian music philosopher must stand for musical truth that is backed with Bible principles of music and musicing—not personal musical preferences.  All of our sacred musicing must utilize good common musical sense and Bible principles of Christian living.

             Sacred musicing must be congruent with bible principles of worshiping and honoring God. Remember that the Scripture lesson in Ephesians chapter six, states, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.”  Third, this Scripture passage teaches that the Christian must have, “your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” The Christian musician’s demeanor must be characterized with PEACE.

Music Philosophy Can Bring Peace—part 2

Music Philosophy Can Bring Peace—part 2

            Are you at peace with your philosophy of music education?  Is it Christocentric?  Does it put God and His kingdom first or is your children’s self-actualization at the top of the list?  What motivates you to educate your children musically?  Are you willing for them to receive a music education and then consume it upon their own desires when they reach adulthood?  These questions normally are the key to a parent or a music educator either being at peace or not at peace with his or her music philosophy

             Christians pride themselves in the belief that they are not conformed to this world in their thinking, but when one observes their children’s musical actions as they are growing up in adulthood one has to often wonder what was stressed in the home.  If Christ is to be given preeminence in adulthood, parent’s music philosophy of Christ-centeredness must be stressed as the children are maturing.  Giving back to God does not suddenly happen in adulthood.  So, a person may be content with his or her music philosophy at the present but serious educators and parents need to understand that direction determines destiny.  As my father used to say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Music Philosophy Can Bring Peace—part 1

                         Music Philosophy Can Bring Peace—part 1

            Making daily musical decisions shapes the tenor of every Christian music educator’s music praxis. All music education praxis exudes from music philosophy.  A music education philosophy is a series of systematic statements (beliefs) about the nature, value and meaning of the whole of music education. That understanding of music’s nature and value gives music educators and parents an inner peace that is absolutely essential to following a congruent Christocentric musical .praxis.

            There is a peace that comes with being in the center of the Lord’s will and teaching with a foundation of the biblical principles of the changed life of a Christian musician. Without that inner witness of the Holy Spirit, a music educator is destined to be driven about by the latest trends of what is popular in the world’s opinion. 

Humanism and Christian Music Philosophy

Humanism and Christian Music Philosophy

            The attitude of a sincere Christian musician should be that “He

must increase and I must decrease. He that cometh from above is

above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth:

he that cometh from heaven is above all” (St. John 3:30-31). Musicing

is neither about the performer nor musical talent. Spirit-filled music

making should be Christocentric and not self-centered. Musicing does

not begin and end with self, but rather it begins and ends with God,

who is above all.

            Both secular and religious humanism purport that the end of all

human endeavor should be the actualization of one’s human potential.

This self-centered philosophy has spawned generations of Christian

musicians who believe one’s highest development must be the

actualization of self. What this means simply is that in the maturing

process a Christian performer recognizes human potential and ability

to make music and uses it to empower self. A Christian musician

should become aware of the musical gifts that are God-given, and

should develop these talents in order to use them for God’s glory.

However, all music endeavors do not begin and end with self, but

rather they begin and end with God.

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 6

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 6

            One can remove a pig from his muddy wallowing hole, give him  a thorough bath with a scrub brush, but if the pig is allowed to not only return to his wallowing hole but to also again continuously wallow in it, there is absolutely no way that he will remain clean. Psalm 40:1-2 clearly explains, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”  Notice that verse three further explains. “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”  The Cambridge scholars AV marginal reading for the words “horrible pit” i.e. shaown bowr (7488 953) is a “pit of noise”.  Again, I find it odd that so many Christian musicians, pastors and church boards believe that the best way to help a Christian, who has passed form death unto life by the born-again experience, is to subject this Christian to the same horrible pit of noise that he or she wallowed in as a carnal un-regenerated sinner who was dead in trespasses and sins.

            Surely fellowships of believers should provide music for the new man which is of a higher renovated character i.e. “new song” chadash shiyr (2319 7892) rather than the music of the old man and the old life.  I am not saying that it is absolutely impossible for Christians to exist spiritually on a diet of fried musical bologna on white bread made from bleached musical flower that has been stripped of almost all of its life sustaining ingredients, but such a worship diet is by no means the best musical diet. 

            Psalm 40:2 also teaches that God had to pull the psalmist David out of the “miry clay” i.e. yaven tiyt (3121 2916) before he could place him upon the rock and establish his goings.  At least by implication these verses in Psalm forty teach that the old song of the old life in the pit of noise was miry clay that held the psalmist down spiritually.  So, YHVH replaced the old song with a new song of a higher renovated character so that he would not be drawn back into the horrible pit of noise.              

Thought for the Day   

If the “new man” has to make changes in various areas of life style, surely this Christian may have to make some changes in the music that he or she allows in his or her life style.  Without doubt this includes worship music and music styles that are closely associated with carnal passions.

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 5

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 5 

            Yesterday we discussed that as important as knowledge of famous visual arts and famous musical compositions may be to an undergraduate student’s general education, such knowledge should never be placed above Bible knowledge of music.  Furthermore, musical knowledge, which has been thoroughly interwoven into every Christian student’s music philosophy that is seasoned with a thorough understanding of music as a part of worship from ancient to modern times, is essential to every student receiving general education that is truly Christian.  It is high time that so-called Christian colleges and universities realize that having Christ’s name as a part of the institution does not automatically insure that its graduates will receive a Christian education. 

            Every Christian educational institution denies that it has been squeezed into the world’s musical mold.  However, as I alluded to in an earlier post in this series, multitudes of Christian colleges and universities believe that it is proper to worship with music styles that were created to feed carnal desires of depraved men and women.  This philosophy of music is fed by the belief that the most effective way to music unto God is to make worship exactly like he carnal music of the world.  It seems odd to me that so many Christian colleges and universities believe and teach, at least by default, that the way to music unto the high and holy triune God is to use music that sounds exactly like the carnal music of this godless world.  

Quote for the Day  

Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” 

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 4

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 4

            The problem is not fitting such courses into the general education portion of broad based general education, but rather a lack of the belief that every student must have an understanding of what the Bible teaches about music and musicing and have such knowledge interwoven into his or her philosophy of music.  Accrediting associations give accredited member colleges much more general education freedom than many college academic officers will admit.  However, even if there is not much variety in general education curriculums, Christian colleges can always require some Bible based music courses as a part of all professional programs. 

            Music has become the “war department” in multitudes of churches in the last half of the 20^th century and now in the second decade of this century.  Every church deserves to have a senior pastor and a minister of music that both have a thorough understanding of Bible principles of music and musicing.  Furthermore, these pastors and ministers of music must be able to utilize this knowledge in a well-developed Bible based ministry philosophy.  Churches cannot expect secular universities to provide Bible based curricular offerings for pastors and ministers of music. However, they have the right to expect Christian colleges and universities to provide and require such offerings of each of their graduates.  If this were to happen, much of the shared ignorance would cease, and Churches would be much better equipped to face this post postmodern world. 

Thought for the Day

You can tell what a pastor really believes about musicing unto God by listening to what he puts up with musically from his worship leader.  

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 3

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 3

                We began this series of posts by citing some of the problems that are facing public music worship today.  Because so many Bible Colleges and a host of Christian universities have been more concerned with liberal arts education than a thorough Bible based Christian education, many undergraduate curriculums are now devoid of any required courses in Music of the Bible and Music Philosophy taught from a bible based Christian perspective.  Although Christian Colleges and universities would adamantly deny it, they have allowed the world to completely influence their broad based undergraduate curriculum decisions.  Although they blame accreditation requirements for the lack of Bible bases music courses in general and professional education curriculums for all students, this is not a fact.

            For instance, they have chosen courses like Art Appreciation, Fine arts Appreciation, and general Music Appreciation which could have been replaced with course like Music Philosophy in Christian Perspective, Philosophy of Music Worship, Music of the Bible, and a Host of other courses such as the History of Music Worship. I know, after working with different Christian and secular accrediting agencies in the US that Christian Colleges can make the above curriculum decisions in their undergraduate general education programs.  So, accredited undergraduate Christian colleges and universities are without excuse when they ignore Bible based music courses that are acceptable as fine arts general education. 

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 2

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 2

            Yesterday we began this series about the need for more music coursed in Christian college curriculums. So, what should the church do now that in many Christian institutions of higher learning complete musical ignorance reigns?  Should it give in to the musical winds of continued destructive musical change forced upon it by worldly church attenders who love worldly styles of music?  If the church continues to lead by ignorance of Bible principles of musicing, we will probably not be able to recognize public worship in another decade or two.  Turning over musical worship to a novice or a worship leader who loves worldly secular styles of music that were never intended to be used in worshiping God,  or worse yet a musician who has a “musical ax to grind” and is on a demolition course to change traditional worship at any cost is certainly not the answer.  The “will to power” is a dangerous trait of the canal mind, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)  

Quote for the Day  

Romans 1:28, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 1

Can Graduates Teach What They Do Not Know?-part 1

            “The average pastor today will often admit that he knows very little about music, and generally leaves decisions regarding the music ministry to the song leader/choir director. The primary reason most pastors know very little about music is that they have never been taught a Biblical philosophy of Christian music. Most Bible Colleges today do not teach much in the way of Biblical music standards, and often leave such decisions up to the students themselves as to http://www.beaconmbc.com/articles/abiblicalphilosophyofchristianmusic.htm    This insightful quote by Dr. Thomas Cassidy sums up the major reason for the music dilemma that many churches have found themselves facing as we enter the second decade of this century.      Multitudes of pastors are advocating their God given responsibility to be the leader in all matters concerning public worship.  Right behind them are multitudes of church board members who many times realize that, since they do not even know the names of the lines and spaces, they do not have enough knowledge of a Bible based music philosophy to be a leader in matters of public music worship.  The problem with this lackluster theory is that they have made a decision concerning how their church will music when they decide to not decide.

Traditional Church Music—part 2

Traditional Church Music—part 2 

            Yesterday we considered traditional church music and its use in public worship.  Although traditional church music may at times be fraught with problems—so are many other styles of music that are now being used in public worship.  As nervous church leaders who are deeply involved in leader-shift are sweeping the worship service clean of those things like solid oak pulpits, grand pianos, organs, church steeples etc. all traditional church music is most often added to the pile.

            Many church musicians consider all traditional forms of church music to be the culprit responsible for all or most of the church’s problems.  Writers who are conservative are often accused of making sweeping generalities about current problems of music styles that are now being used in public worship. However, the removal of hymns, gospel hymns, gospel songs because they are no longer useful is a much more egregious sweeping generality.  So, every genre of music used as a concomitant to the good news of the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ must be individually evaluated as to its usefulness in the context of worship.

Traditional Church Music—part 1

      Traditional Church Music—part 1

            Traditions are harmful when they are in conflict with God’s Word. Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”   However, St. Paul states in 2Thesalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  So, the New Testament writers only condemned traditions that were in conflict With Scripture—not all traditions.  The word paradosis (3862) which was translated traditions is derived from paradidomi 3860 which means to instruct or transmit.  So, St. Paul was admonishing the Christians at Thessalonica to stand fast in these truths which had been transmitted to them.

            Traditional church music is harmful when it takes the focus off of the main things i.e. the “weightier matters” (Cardinal doctrines) found in the Bible or when it is partnered with confusing or incorrect doctrine.  Matthew 23:23, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”  If traditional music is so shallow that it obscures the “weightier matters” then it is harmful to public worship.  However, worship leaders should not act as if traditional church music is the only music that is capable of being banal music or an inadequate vehicle or the transmission of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Fountain of Living Waters

The Fountain of Living Waters

Jeremiah 2:13, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

            I have written and spoken from this verse in many times but I have always concentrated on the concept of “broken cisterns”. I was reading this verse the other day and a new thought occurred to me.  God’s people had committed two evils one of the evils was hewing out broken cisterns but the other evil was the greatest evil.  God said, “They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters”.  YHVH declared that His people had forsaken Him.

            It is noteworthy that God referred to Himself as “the fountain of living waters”.  God was not only living waters but more importantly He referred to Himself as a “fountain”.  Maqowr (4726) connotes, among other things, a natural continuous flowing source.  This continuous source was not merely water but living water.  Christian musicians are constantly in danger of forsaking the source that will sustain spiritual life.  All busy people have to do is fail to drink of the living water YHVH supplies and, according to this verse they are forsaking God. 

             Azab (5800) was translated here in the AV as forsaken but this Hebrew word also connotes “refusing”.  My father used to say, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink”.  The simple lesson found in Jeremiah 2:13 is that God has provided a continuous flow of “living water”, but Christian musicians have the responsibility to drink.

Song for the Day--Springs of Living Water by John W. Peterson

Prayer for the Day

            Our dear Heavenly Father I want to thank and praise You for providing an ample supply of living water to sustain all who love and serve you.  I am asking largely today.  I am praying that you will give your musician’s the good common sense to not only come to this source but to drink of this sustaining water.  I am also asking that You will cause Your busy ministering musicians to  be wise enough to not let Satan cause them to forsake God by refusing to drink and thereby be sustained spiritually.  This I am asking in Your wonderful name.  Amen.

Dramatic Musical Productions as a Part of Worship part 2

Dramatic Musical Productions as a Part of Worship part 2

            Yesterday’s post stirred up a hornet’s nest and compounded the issue with talking donkeys.  Today, we are searching for the use of stage settings in Scripture. God told Ezekiel to make a miniature stage set and it is described in the fourth chapter of Ezekiel verse three.  This makeshift stage setting was to be constructed to cause the people to understand more clearly what God wanted Ezekiel to do.

            The reason we construct stage sets on the sanctuary is similar to what Ezekiel did.  We are using the set as a visual aid to give the Christmas story more reality.  One of the reasons that so many Christian fellowships go to all the expense of a stage set is to make the story of Christ’s humble birth more real to Christians and seekers who attend these Christmas productions.

Dramatic Musical Productions as a Part of Worship part 1

Dramatic Musical Productions as a Part of Worship part 1

          I guess I might as well stir up a hornets nest well before  churches find themselves in the throes of making decisions about a Christmas production for 2018.  Certainly, the thought of putting a stage set on the sanctuary platform should do the job!  Also, bringing a donkey down the middle aisle should do the trick if the stage setting won’t do it satisfactorily.  To add insult to injury let us consider stage lights and removing the communion table and the oak (or plex-a-glass) lectern as the center-piece of the platform—oh! I forgot removing the altars to facilitate a make-shift orchestra pit!

            Rather than staunchly gritting our teeth because “we’ve never done that before”, we should consider whether dramatic presentation and representations are used in the Bible.  Well, we know that donkeys were used dramatically in the Bible.  Jesus rode one but, admittedly, He didn’t He didn’t ride it down the center aisle. However, Balaam’s donkey, mentioned in Numbers 22:27-32, gave quite a dramatic presentation.  I’m not sure I am recommending that you look for a speaking donkey but the point should be well taken. 

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 4

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 4

          So, I ask you, does the way you music unto God make the statement that you believe in rock ‘n roll?  Does your your philosophy and praxis bears out the fact that you actually do believe in rock ‘n roll and furthermore that it can save your mortal soul?  I have often said that every musical action of a Christian musician is a testimony of what that musician actually believes.  If your music and musicing is rock based or based on rock music’s first cousins, your actions bear out the fact that you believe that rock ‘n roll is a better concomitant of the gospel of Jesus Christ than time honored forms of church music.

            What you do is proof of your belief about the nature, value and meaning of musicing at its deepest levels.  As the musicer, wat you do bears out that you believe that the music part of music is so inept that it is incapable of saying or representing anything that is related to real life meaning, or that you believe that the genres that you use as a part of worship

           

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 3

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 3

            Writers disagree about what McClean meant by the question, “Did you write the book of love?” It is possible that he hit the nail squarely on the head with this question because so much of current worship philosophy and praxis deals with MAN’S version of love.   Musicians who are pluralists consider that God’s love is not always balanced with justice, law and equity. This notion is a faulty philosophical view.  The musician previously mentioned want to only stress God’s love without the presentation of the whole gospel of Jesus Christ.  Post postmoderns are not esteeming what the Bible teaches as being central to a Christian’s music philosophy since they firmly believe that all truth is relative.  So, it is now possible that a church musician and his pastor can “write the book of love” as a part of their both-and humanistic, pluralistic whole-life philosophy.

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 3 

            Writers disagree about what McClean meant by the question, “Did you write the book of love?” It is possible that he hit the nail squarely on the head with this question because so much of current worship philosophy and praxis deals with MAN’S version of love.   Musicians who are pluralists consider that God’s love is not always balanced with justice, law and equity. This notion is a faulty philosophical view.  They want to only stress God’s love without the presentation of the whole gospel of Jesus Christ.  Post postmoderns are not esteeming what the Bible teaches as being central to a Christian’s music philosophy since they firmly believe that all truth is relative.  So, it is now possible that a church musician and his pastor can “write the book of love” as a part of their both-and humanistic, pluralistic whole-life philosophy. 

            I want to make it very clear that I am not against praise music.  That would make about as much sense as being against grandma’s home-made apple pie or my mother’s blackberry cobbler.  The Bible commands us to sing praise unto God.  What I am pointing out is that music that only speaks of love is not the whole counsel of God.  It does not provide a balanced spiritual and biblical musical diet.  Anyone who has read all of the Old and New Testament knows quite well that it speaks of much more than love although God’s love is a central theme of the Bible.  So, although I cannot prove it I believe McClean was making a very deep philosophical statement since he clearly compared “The book of love” with faith in God that is based on what the Bible teaches.

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 2

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 2

            Even more apropos Don McClean’s song “American Pie” was the next question that he asked, “do you believe in rock n’ roll?”  In 1971 when McClean penned these words, very few Christians were addressing this deep philosophical question.  Furthermore, few who were rejecting the use of rock ‘n roll thought that a great host of churchmen would later consider it to be a better worship vehicle? 

            Now whether or not conservative Christians like it or not, many Christians believe wholeheartedly believe that this form of music “save your mortal soul”.  Since so many postmodern and now post postmodern church leaders and church musicians believe that the various forms of rock based music are better vehicles, what Don McClean was purporting philosophically has become a reality. 

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 1

Do You Believe in Rock N’ Roll?—part 1

            The other day I heard a portion of Don McClean’s song “American Pie” and I began to think about a portion of verse two that asks the questions:  Did you write the book of love, and do you have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so?  Do you believe in rock ’n' roll, can music save your mortal soul…?”  When I first heard the “American Pie” album produced by Ed Freeman in 1971, I simply considered it to be another irreverent rock song with lyrics that made fun of sacred things.  Little did I realize how deeply philosophical McClean’s lyrics were.
            At the time I first heard this song, I had no idea that by 2018 the post postmodern church would believe that rock music would be a better vehicle for presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  McClean was asking the deep philosophical question “do you have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so?”  Although many conservative Christians were oblivious of the fact, moderns and postmoderns were deeply in the throes of struggling over whether or not faith in God extended beyond God’s Word.  So, his question addressed the issue of whether faith in God must be based on the true truth taught in the Bible.

Present Yourself Willingly

Present Yourself Willingly

2Chronicles 17:16, “And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.”

            I was reading through the 2n chronicles the other morning and the sixteenth verse stood out to me.  Amasiah willingly offered himself unto the LORD.  I have seen Christian musicians who are serving God faithfully as ministers of music or Christian school music teachers, but although they are ministering faithfully, they seem to always to be “kicking and screaming” about their human condition.  They have failed to do what the ancient Israelite did—they have not given themselves willingly!

            It is one thing to give yourself to God but it is another to follow the admonition of St. Paul in Romans 12:1 when he wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  It is far better to willingly present oneself than to do it “kicking and screaming”. 

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You lord for ever seeing fit to us me as a music minister and teacher.  I am asking You to forgive me for the times that I have complained about my human condition.  Help me to not only serve You but to also serve you willingly Help me to say like Isaiah, ”here am I, send me”.  I can never pay my debt of gratitude to You Lord for what You have done for me!  Thank You dear and precious Lord.  Amen.

Faith as a Basis for a Music Philosophy—part 2

Faith as a Basis for a Music Philosophy—part 2

            Developing or rejecting a music philosophy that is faith based has strongly affected what musicians and philosophers have considered to be the nature, value and meaning of all music and musicing.  It is of little wonder that music philosophers who do not have faith in Jesus Christ and ipso facto have chosen to not retain God in their knowledge of music and musicing, do not give place to God having preeminence in all their musical “doing”.

              One cannot expect a music philosopher who has chosen to consider religious faith to only be an option or has rejected faith basis completely in the development of a music philosophy, to come to the same conclusions about the nature, value and meaning of music as a Christian music philosopher who has developed a Bible based Christocentric music philosophy.  For this reason, there is need for the Christian musician who is in the process of developing a faith based music philosophy to read philosophical writers who have a high regard for the authenticity and relevance of God’s Word and for the necessity of having Christ at the center of all philosophical pursuits. 

            Developing or rejecting a music philosophy that is faith based has strongly affected what musicians and philosophers have considered to be the nature, value and meaning of all music and musicing.  It is of little wonder that music philosophers who do not have faith in Jesus Christ and ipso facto have chosen to not retain God in their knowledge of music and musicing, do not give place to God having preeminence in all their musical “doing”.

              One cannot expect a music philosopher who has chosen to consider religious faith to only be an option or has rejected faith basis completely in the development of a music philosophy, to come to the same conclusions about the nature, value and meaning of music as a Christian music philosopher who has developed a Bible based Christocentric music philosophy.  For this reason, there is need for the Christian musician who is in the process of developing a faith based music philosophy to read philosophical writers who have a high regard for the authenticity and relevance of God’s Word and for the necessity of having Christ at the center of all philosophical pursuits. 

Faith as a Basis for a Music Philosophy—part 1

Faith as a Basis for a Music Philosophy—part 1

             Recently there has been discussion by a very limited number of philosophers concerning faith as a basis for the development of a music philosophy.  A much larger number of philosopher’s writings have been directed toward whether real life understanding can or cannot be gained through music listening and performing.  Very few of the books that I have ever read on music philosophy have even mentioned faith as a basis for building a music philosophy.  This is not surprising since music philosophers who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior most often do not retain God in any of their knowledge of music and musicing.  If a philosopher does not believe in what the Bible teaches, why would a Christian expect that he or she would base a music philosophy on what the Bible teaches about music and musicing? 

             Some of the ancients believed that music had great power and meaning. Some of them believed that music could influence the morals and ethics of the performer and listener.  As the discipline of music philosophy developed over the centuries, there was often among music philosophers a connection between religion and philosophic reasoning. Over the centuries, music philosophers have been divided in their opinions of whether religious faith was necessary or was a reasonable option in the development of a music philosophy.  Sadly, most of the writings in the last century about music philosophy that I have read have not even given casual mention to faith basis.

Thank you for a Great Month of May 2018

Thank you for a Great Month of May 2018      

            This month was the 63th month of my blog which contained devotional and philosophical thoughts for Christian musicians. I have written over 3065 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 2,700 page views of my blog this month were experienced by people who read a mixture of philosophical and devotional thoughts.  We have had over 115,200 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 125 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, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

             The ten countries with the most page views this month were:  

United States, Russia, Poland, France, South Korea, Germany, Portugal, China, Ukraine, Philippines.