Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 12

Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 12  

            The Bible is so very clear that there is a war going on between the flesh and the spirit, and this war is caused by our enemy Satan.  The Bible is also very clear that a Christian must control his or passions by being sure that the flesh is kept in subjection.  This has to include the kinds of passions that are capable of being aroused through musical sounds.  (Because there are so many excellent published writings on the dangers of rock and contemporary music, I will not discuss arousal theory and its relationship to religious music in the context of this discussion.)  I will say that Christian musicians, who trifle with the “arousal theory” in the form of sexual arousal in religious music, are playing with fire.  I want to say further that those who present sacred things with sexual meaning transmitted through music (sexual innuendos), are sadly misguided and they are doing the work of God deceitfully—a practice that the Bible directly condemns (see Jeremiah 48:10).   

            I have contended for years that the belief that music is a closed system is a spurious philosophy because that would make it an autonomous system.  There is no aspect of a Christian’s philosophy that is autonomous simply because we are accountable to God in every area of our life.  Therefore, I cannot believe that God, who in the beginning created music, created it philosophically as a closed system. I believe God created the mathematical ratios that produce sound so that we could worship Him with these sounds.  I also believe that He created these ratios that produce pitches so that these sounds could become a part of the abundant life that the Christian should enjoy.  This “abundant life” or perissos (4012) which is spoken of in St. John 10:10 means that God has created music in superabundance or exceedingly and abundantly above the necessity of mere existence.   

Thought for the Day-  

Although it is possible for a Christian can make it to heaven without enjoying music on this earth, that person will surely miss out on a great part of God’s wonderful provision for his children.