Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 2

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 2

Unwise choices in music and cultural blind spots in the fine arts should not be equated with a person’s relationship to Christ.  Parents should not make statements like, “If you ever really come to know the Lord, you would not even like that music”.  Knowledge of biblical principles concerning music choices and likes and dislikes of styles of music are acquired skills not instantaneous gifts of the Spirit to the born-again Christian.  Christian purity and maturity are not one in the same.  A Christian musician may make unwise choices concerning music ministry as well as secular music selections and still be honestly trying to bring his or her life under the Lordship of Christ.  It seems that we are much more able to accept the fact that a Christian has made some very unwise credit card decisions than we are able to accept unwise music decisions.

How should Christians catechize young people concerning music?  First of all pastors, parents, music ministers, and Christian music educators should study music in the Bible thoroughly.  Since there are over 600 references to music in the Bible, there is much to be gained from a study of Bible music.  Remember that II Timothy 3:16-18 reminds us that:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.   

Thought for the Day

          A cultural blind spot in music is not being aware of the import one’s own musical behavior and practices. Many Christian musicians so not seem to realize that we all have cultural and spiritual blind spots.  It is not as easy as it may seem for a musician to recognize just what these blind spots are.  They are very similar to spiritual blind spots.  If we knew what they are they would not be blind spots.  For his reason we all need a musical mentor who has a personal relationship with Christ and has had a long broad study of music.