Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 15

Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 15  

            I have often mentioned in my philosophical writings the importance of Colossians 1:16 which states, “For by him are all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things are created by him and for him.”  There are two words in this Scripture that are of great importance to our discussion. They are visible (horatos 3707) and invisible (aoratos 517).   

            When it comes to God’s creating music there is the portion that one is able to see (horatos) and the portion that one cannot see (aoratos).  The musical score is a part of music that one can see and musical sound is a part that one cannot see.  Although the written part may communicate meaning to the trained musician who is capable of audiating it [i.e. the ability to see pitch, rhythm and harmony on the musical score and hear them in one’s mind], it is the sounds that are what really matters to the rest of the people who are incapable of audiating it in their minds.  Music that is still on the page of the score, if it doesn’t have words, may very well be considered to be to be neutral to the non-musician.  However, when sounds are produced from that score they take on life and communicate meaning to everyone who hears them.      

            In Colossians 1:16 there is a list of things that were created by the exceeding God (Theos 2316).  Among this list is the word exousia (1849) which, among other things, means delegated influences.  I believe that the invisible part of music belongs to this category.  Colossians 1:16 explains that all these categories of creation were made by the exceeding God for the exceeding God.  I believe that God, in his creative power, gave music the delegated authority to influence mankind with musical sound.  The composers, arrangers, performers, and conductors have been given the delegated authority to influence all those who hear them produce sound.  Because God always gives mankind a choice, all those who compose, arrange, perform, and conduct music may influence others for good or evil with the musical sounds that they produce. So, ipso facto musicians are able to influence others with the message that a particular sound communicates to the auditor.     

Thought for the Day-     

If God was wise enough and powerful enough to speak music into existence, then He is wise enough and caring enough to instruct us in how to music unto Him.