Ancient Musical Accuracy-part 2

Ancient Musical Accuracy-part 2 

            It is important to note that St. Paul, who was an educated linguist, used a technical reference to the production of musical sound in the aforementioned discussion of spiritual gifts.  I believe the reason that he used this reference to the music part of music was because he knew that there was a broad understanding of the musical importance of musical production.  This reference should put to rest the silly notion that some Christian musicians have that the music part of music has never mattered much.  Let me emphasize that when we read Bible references to music through 21^st century “Western eyes” with contemporary Christian music views in mind, we will doubtlessly come up with erroneous notions about what the Bible teaches about music.

            So, what do we derive from St. Paul’s reference to music?  One thing we learn is that the need for musical accuracy is not a Western invention.  We also learn that Paul chose to use a reference to accurate sound production because this ephemeron was well understood by the common man at the time this passage of Scripture was written.  We also can rightly deduce that if musical accuracy was important in St Paul’s lifetime, it is still important in the 21^st century.  Church musicians do not have license to merely produce noise when they music before a congregation when one is musicing unto God.