ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 3

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 3

            So the question is not whether women were involved in religious and secular music in the Bible, but whether or not they were used as practicing Temple musicians.  Rothmuller quoted Ambros as saying that "This temple music differs from its contempo­rary Egyptian counterpart by the essential circumstance that Egypt music was already entirely the women's function, whereas in Jerusalem only men were appointed to its performance."    Aaron Rothmuller, The Music of the Jews p.44, (quoting August Wilhelm Ambrose)

   Idelsohn agreed with Rothmuller when he stated that "Participation of women in the temple choir is nowhere traceable."  A. Z.  Idelsohn, Jewish Music in Its Historical Development, p. 16.  

                    Sendrey, who did not have a high regard for the authenticity of the Biblical Record, believed that "In their purificatory zeal, the priestly chroniclers tried particularly to eliminate anything that might have alluded to, or recalled, the primitive pagan, pre-Yahvistic rites of the Hebrews, when women participated regularly in them."  Alfred Sendrey, Music in the Social and Religious Life of Antiquity, p. 251. However, Sendrey did not attempt to document his notion of women participating in pagan pre-Yahvistic religious music in ancient Israel.  Sendrey does concede that, "The Biblical account contains no direct references to the participation of female singers in the Temple choir."  Ibid, p. 251.

Thought for the Day

It amazes me to read the works of authors who respect the Biblical Record but entertain the notion that the authors of Scripture would alter the Record because of personal prejudice.

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 2

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 2

            As we mentioned in yesterday’s post, the examples of women's involvement in music mentioned in the Old Testament were not a part of Temple worship.  Yesterday we quoted Exodus 15:20-21 which mentioned women’s involvement in music. I Samuel 18:6-7 also considers women being involved as musicians when it states,

            And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philis­tine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing (7891) and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.

            And the women answered (6030) one (NIO) another (NIO) as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

On this secular occasion the women (no men involved) played, sang, danced, and anah (6030) sang together by course.

            It is commonly believed that music and especially singing was universal in the ancient Hebrew culture.  "Everyone in Israel sang, and playing the lyre and the timbrel was a common achievement, at least among women."  Curt Sachs, The Rise of Music in the Ancient World p. 90.    Also, "Written records as well as pictorial displays testify to the various activities of women as dancers, singers, and instrumentalists."  Alfred Sendrey, Music in the Social and Religious Life of Antiquity, p. 2.

Thought for the Day

It is a common misconception that the Old Testament mention of women’s involvement as musicians should be considered as Bible principles of musicing in public worship.

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 1

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 1

            Along with the age old argument as to whether instruments should be used in the church, is the argument of the use or disuse of women in the music of the ancient Jewish Temple and its relationship to the use of women in church music today.  A review of Scripture does not reveal that women were used as musicians in either the first or the second Temple.  Also, Jewish history or rabbinical literature does not clearly substantiate their involve­ment as professional musicians in the Temple.  Research of other ancient cultures such as that of Egypt has shown that women were used extensively in public worship.  However, the culture and circumstances of ancient Israel precluded the use of women in Temple music.

            We know that it was common practice for women to sing and play instruments in ancient Israel since there are numerous Biblical references to their involvement in music.  Exodus 15:20-21 states, And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after he with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them, Sing (7891) ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”  Here we see a public rendering of praise to God in the performance of the "song of Moses."  Moses, the children of Israel (vs. 1) and Miriam and the women (vs. 20) sang the song.  Notice the separation of "Moses and the children of Israel" from the singing, playing and dancing of the women (vs. 20-21).  This example of women's involvement in music was not, of course, a part of Temple worship.

Thought for the day

The reason scholars are so interested in worship in the first and second Temples is that they show us the Old Testament pattern for public worship.

Unifying Knowledge –part 5

Unifying Knowledge –part 5

Since they believe, like Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), that music is a part of nature it is not under the Lordship of Christ.  These synthesis thinkers are not responsible to Christ for their actions concerning the style of music they perform in church.  Therefore, they certainly are not responsible to give anyone an answer concerning the style of music they sing or play.  Remember that these autonomous Christian musicians are free to proceed on a musical course completely independent of Scripture, theology, suitability, appropriateness and certainly any rules set forth by any church, Christian school, Bible College, or any church musician.

          No one is allowed to criticize, scrutinize or question anything that these liberated Christian musicians do musically.  As a matter of fact their actions are a result of a non-rational, non-logical faith in Christ that brings them to non-rational, non-logical conclusions that are non-discussible.  There is no room for discussion when it comes to THEIR music since it is THEIR offering that may be presented to THEIR God and the helpless audience has to put up with it because “that’s just how things are”, in this present world.

Thought for the Day

As I have said so many times, Christian musicians should get rid of the sense of musical ownership.  You are not the boss of music if you do not own it.

Unifying Knowledge –part 6

Unifying Knowledge –part 6

          Christian musicians who are pluralists constantly remind the thesis thinker that we are in the 21^st century and “this is just how it is”.  Remember that this synthesis thinker is by no means a hypocrite since he believes with all his heart that one of the most important aspects of Christianity is to “fit in”.  This person does not believe in bearing the reproach that comes from taking a stand against the things of the world.  He seems to have forgotten I Peter 4:14, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of the glory of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified”.

           Since the world does not agree with a Christian musician for his or her careful conservative stand on music, worldly church musicians fear that these sinners will be alienated musically and will not be able to be reached with the gospel.  So, the postmodern and post postmodern church reacts in a semi-panic, gives in to what they believe will please the worldly church attender, and by default the world prescribes what is best for church music instead of the church.

Thought for the Day

Many millennials have been raised by permissive parents who have given them their way since they were tiny Children.  So, when it comes to sacred music and musicians getting their way is simply a way of life.

Unifying Knowledge –part 4

Unifying Knowledge –part 4

Ingenious isn’t it?  Now Satan has successfully squeezed church music into the world’s mold.  The result is religious rock music which is the perfect style for them to use to trick the world into becoming lovers of Christ.  Before sinners know it the church will deceive them into becoming Christians.  Of course, synthesis thinkers want them to be saved in their sins, not from their sins, so this autonomous music doesn’t have to preach a life changing relationship with Christ.  Rather, this autonomous non-rational, non-logical, leap of faith will bring a non-rational faith to these new autonomous worldly Christians.  Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it?  The reason it sounds dangerous is that it is the result of synthesis musical thinking. 

With this Jesuit thinking, musically speaking, the end always justifies the means. Under this synthesis system, Christian musicians are not concerned with giving answers to why they do what they do musically.  They are free to proceed without any traditional thesis that is discussible since they operate under the Hegelian system that has established a new thesis based on synthesis.  This non-discussible synthesis thought allows these church musicians the freedom to proceed without the encumbrance of the biblical principle of I Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”.

Thought for the Day

You should be skeptical of your music philosophy and praxis if you can’t or won’t defend it both musically and with what the Bible teaches about music, musicing and the changed life of a Christian.

Unifying Knowledge –part 3

 Unifying Knowledge –part 3

Synthesis thinking church musicians, who were in many instances, graduates of Christian colleges and seminaries began to think that if it was okay to love the world system then it was okay to love the world’s music.  Philosophically they believed that the answer could no more be based on good music and bad music, music appropriate for worship, or music which is not appropriate for worship.  The philosophical notion that all styles are equal gave rise to the belief that the musical answer must always be somewhere between truth and error.  As this synthesis philosophical thinking began to develop these musicians became full-ledged pluralists.

Now in the twenty-first century, somewhere between music that is best suited to fit the awesomeness and solemnity of public worship of the high and holy Trinity and music that is not suited for Christian worship are styles of music that are now inappropriately appropriate.  Since the answer must be a synthesis answer, the answer must be taking music that was created to fulfill the lust of the flesh and squeezing this music into a worship mode.  To accomplish this, synthesis thinking Christian musicians have to find  styles of music that are basically created anti-Christ, anti-worship (of God), anti-trust, anti-purity, anti-beauty, anti-rest, anti-authority, anti-family, and amalgamate it with the gospel message and when this is accomplished, “presto-chango” they have the perfect worship style.

Thought for the Day

One way that you can get your way musically is  to claim that there is no such thing as difference between the sacred and the profane as long as you have squeaky clean lyrics

Unifying Knowledge –part 2

Unifying Knowledge –part 2

Philosophy has been historically a pursuit of the systematized principles that give a wisdom that reveals truth and a unified filed of knowledge based on truth and error or thesis and antithesis.  Somewhere in the early 20^th century many philosophers began to give up hope in a unified filed of knowledge based on thesis (right) or antithesis (wrong).  They began to believe the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Frederick Hegel (1770-1831).  Hegel believed that every idea belonged to an all-embracing mind in which every idea (thesis) elicited its opposite (antithesis) and the result of these two was a unified whole which he called synthesis (“the both and belief system”).  His “unified” whole was epistemologically different since it derived “knowing” from a new synthesis thesis.  This “knowing” brought about a new truth that was always found somewhere between truth and error. In my opinion Hegel’s “somewhere in the middle” synthesis laid the groundwork for pluralism.

Before Hegelian synthesis thought, the Scripture in I John 2:15, “Love not the world”, meant just that, don’t love the world or become controlled by the system of “this present age”.   After acceptance of Hegelian synthesis thought, it became acceptable to be a Christian whose thought patterns were conformed to the fashion of this world...  Those who accepted this viewpoint no longer believed the Bible when it said that if you loved the world, the love of the father was not in you.  Under this autonomous philosophy you could love the world, think like the world, and act like the world and love the Lord at the same time.

Thought for the Day

The simplest way to justify what you are doing musically is to change your epistemology.  Then You can change your music methodology.

Unifying Knowledge –part 1

Unifying  Knowledge –part 1

          I am deeply indebted to the work of Francis Schaffer for opening to me a very clear basic understanding of how philosophical thought has shaped the thinking of modern and postmodern Christians.  After reading his Escape from Reason and The God Who is There as well as other of his great works, it became clear to me how many Christian musicians came to believe that there are no absolutes in music.

          For centuries philosophers believed that it was possible for all thought to come under a unified field of knowledge.  They often fought bitterly over just what that unified field of knowledge included.  Although philosophers did not agree on the content of that unified knowledge, they did agree that philosophical endeavor could and should bring about a philosophy of hope to the world. 

Thought for the Day

I am always am amazed at Christian musicians who are conservative in many ways, but are very liberal when it comes to musicing unto God.

Christ Brought Us True Truth

Christ Brought Us True Truth

St. John 1:17, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

         After reading this verse, I just want thank and praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for grace and truth.  If Christ had not come to this earth, took on the form of man and man, been completely obedient to the will of the Father, lived, ministered unselfishly, suffered , died on a cruel cross, rose again victorious over death, hell and the grave, we would still be sacrificing the blood of bulls and goats for the remission of our sins.  Hallelujah! What a Savior is our Lord Jesus Christ!  I just want to stop right now and worship Him for who He is, for what He has Done, and for what He is still doing for all of us who are living on this earth. 

          I have been thinking about the word charis (5485) that was translated grace in the AV.  Now we know that charis can mean graciousness, but I don’t believe that is what is meant here.  I believe that it is referring to the divine influence upon the heart of the believer.  Because of this complete change in the heart of the believer we refer to that person as being “born again”.  If you could have experience who I was and how I acted before I wept, confessed my sins with much godly sorrow, you wouldn’t have any trouble believing that I am truly born again.  I am ashamed of it but I was an awful, sinful person who was full of bitterness when Jesus found me.  So, you will just have to excuse me while “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad (Psalm 34:2).  Wow!  He changed me completely!  Hallelujah!

          I am thankful that Christ brought to us not only grace but also truth.  Truth was translated from the word aletheia (225) which means of variety.  That is why we call it true truth.  Christ was saturated with truth for us.  I am so thankful that I was not deceived by some false perceived “truth” that has developed into one of the false religions that have deceived so many people.  So, today I am praising God for bringing to us both grace and truth.  I have been audiating these words, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart; I have light in my soul for which long I have sought, since Jesus came into my heart.” 

Song for the Day Since Jesus Came Into My Heart by Rufus H. McDaniel 

Thought for the Day

Think about where you might be right now, and what a mess your life would doubtlessly be in if you had not believed the true truth of the gospel and if you had not experienced the divine influence upon the heart.  No matter how depressed you may be at this moment, the reality of this truth should bring you joy and should cause you to smile (at least out of one side of your mouth).

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 2

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 2

1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel…”

           Public worship in ancient Israel has left us an ancient landmark of musicing to God.  Although I could spend the next month talking about the significance of this use of music in public worship, I will try to just touch on one main aspect of this public worship.  The simple point of this devotional today is that the Levite musicians were appointed to systematically lead the people in worship by recording, thanking and praising.

          Christian musicians would do well to pattern their musicing unto God after this ancient example of music in public worship.  First, their musicing caused the people to record (zakar 2142) –to remember what God had done for them.  Second, some of the musicians were appointed to cause the worshipers to thank (yada 3034)—to revere YHVH God without-stretched hands.  Third, others were set apart to lead the people in musical praise (halal 1984)—to make a show or boast in the Lord.  Remember that in ancient public in Israel, the people were led systematically by the worship music.  They remembered, then revered with physical response and then they were led in the public act of praise.

Thought for the Day

Sometimes worship leaders attempt to get a congregation to enter into praise without following the Bible pattern of worship which includes remembering how God has lifted them from the “miry clay”— and then expressing thanks for what God has done—then praising Him.

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 1

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 1

          1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals…”

          In this chapter David brought the ark of God to the tent.  This ark was a symbol of the manifest presence of YHVH.  Mathew Henry said that, “This chapter concludes that great affair of the settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement of the public worship of God during the reign of David.”  The establishment of Public worship in ancient Israel included both instrumental and vocal music.

Thought for the Day

Some Christian musicians do not believe that the OT examples of worship are no longer valuable or profitable to 21^st century worship.  I wonder what they do with 2 Timothy 3:16?

I’m a Servant Who Has Been Forgiven

I’m a Servant Who Has Been Forgiven

Ephesians 2:1-9, “And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world… we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:-- but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.” ASV

          The portions of verses one through nine quoted above explain to all Christian musicians who we were and who we now are through God’s love and grace.  We were dead and are now alive because Christ has forgiven us from trespasses and sins.  This has become a reality in our lives because Christ has saved us by His grace.   The phrase” the course (aion 165) of this world (kosmos 2889)” used in verse two makes it clear that we were all bound to the system of this word and therefore were slaves to “doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind”.

          No one is capable of breaking the power of sin without the grace of God being applied to his or heart.  This freedom from being a slave to trespassing against God and is “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.”  Being made free from the grip of sin is truly a divine work wrot upon the heart ad life of the Christian musician.  From my personal experience I know that I was dead in trespasses and sins and that I only have forgiveness and freedom from the power because of the unmerited favor of Christ Jesus.  Therefore, I do not have anything to brag about when it comes to who I was when Christ found me under the bondage and load of sin.  I have given up the sense of ownership of my life and my musicing because am Christ’s servant and as a servant I have responsibilities rather than rights.

Thought for the Day

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Song for the Day  I believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary by William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither and Dale Oldham

Does the mode make a Difference?

Does the mode make a Difference?

It is commonly known that Plato and Aristotle et.al. believed that music had great power and this power included the ability to influence ethical behavior, character, and even the morals of an individual.  If this ancient Greek hypothesis is true (and I believe that it is) what instrumental music can represent or refer to is vitally important to every Christian musician. When a Christian musician reads the works of Plato and Aristotle he or she must understand that when they refer to god, they are not referring to the mono-theistic God of the Judeo-Christian tradition.  This does not prohibit the Christian music philosopher from learning from these ancient music philosopher’s thoughts.

We also know that both Plato and Aristotle believed that the various musical modes had virtues and meanings, so to put it simply, they were concerned about the understandable musical meaning that referred to extra musical meaning caused by the sounds of instrumental music without words.  Note that the ancient Greeks believed that the music part of instrumental music had great power.  Furthermore, they believed that musicians needed to understand the effect that a musical mode (scale) would have on the listener because every mode represented something that, because of the arrangement, sound and organization of the scale, would have a positive or negative effect on the hearer.  Although ancient Greek music philosophers did not always agree about the effects of the sounds of various musical modes and musical instruments, they did agree that the sounds produced had either a positive or negative effect on the listener. (See translations of The Republic, Politics and Poetics). 

Thought for the Day

Every Christian musician who has astutely observed what music can do to an audience should be skeptical of the view that “music can say absolutely nothing”.

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship

1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals…”

          In this chapter David brought the ark of God to the tent.  This ark was a symbol of the manifest presence of YHVH.  Mathew Henry said that, “This chapter concludes that great affair of the settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement of the public worship of God during the reign of David.”  The establishment of Public worship in ancient Israel included both instrumental and vocal music.

           Public worship in ancient Israel has left us an ancient landmark of musicing to God.  Although I could spend the next month talking about the significance of this use of music in public worship, I will try to just touch on one main aspect of this public worship.  The simple point of this devotional today is that the Levite musicians were appointed to systematically lead the people in worship by recording, thanking and praising.

          Christian musicians would do well to pattern their musicing unto God after this ancient example of music in public worship.  First, their musicing caused the people to record (zakar 2142) –to remember what God had done for them.  Second, some of the musicians were appointed to cause the worshipers to thank (yada 3034)—to revere YHVH God without-stretched hands.  Third, others were set apart to lead the people in musical praise (halal 1984)—to make a show or boast in the Lord.  Remember that in ancient public in Israel, the people were led systematically by the worship music.  They remembered, then revered with physical response and then they were led in the public act of praise.

Prayer for the Day

This is truly a day that You have provided for us Lord.  I confess to You that when I talk to you I complain much more than I praise.  Thank You Lord for delivering me out of the horrible pit of sin and musical noise and putting a new song of renovated character in my mouth.  Lord I lift up my hands and my thoughts to extol You for all You have done and for who You are.  I praise your name because You are mighty to deliver and You are also slow to anger with me.  Please accept my feeble words of praise and my song about Your everlasting love.  This I pray to You.  Amen.

Song for the Day  “Praise Him, Praise Him” by Fanny Crosby

Upright Musicians

Upright Musicians

Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” 

          Some people try to tell Christian musicians that they cannot live an upright life in this sinful world.  The inspired account of the life of Job declares that he was “perfect and upright”.  The word tam (8535) which is translated perfect in this verse means to be complete morally.  Also, the word yashar (3477) translated in the same verse as upright means straight or with equity.  I have always wondered that if in the Old Testament dispensation men lived straight and morally complete before God, why would anyone believe that it is impossible in the 21^st century.

          So, Christian musicians need to live carefully in this present world. In Leviticus   11:45 God said to the children of Israel, “For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”  The same command is written in 1Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.”  Some churchmen tell us that we must live a defeated Christian life but the Bible would not tell us to live a holy life if it was impossible.  So take courage Christian musician, God’s grace is sufficient to sustain and keep you each day of your life!

Prayer for the Day

Oh God, let me so live in such a way that I although I may be found blameless before you,  Lord I am far from being perfect as men look on perfection, but You have promised that I can be without moral blame before You.  I love you Lord and I desire that my life may be pleasing in your sight.  Thank You for your goodness to me.  This I am praying in Your strong and mighty name.  Amen.

Song for the Day  "Oh, Make Me Clean!" by George W. Bennard

Take Advice from God Who Does Not Slumber or Sleep

Take Advice from God Who Does Not Slumber or Sleep

Psalm 121:1-3, “A Song of degrees.  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

          I am drawn to the Psalmist’s words “I will lift up mine eyes…”  I have been around several people in my life time that did almost everything else when trouble came, but they did not lift up their eyes.  As a matter of fact they seemed to be looking down most of the time, and when they weren’t looking down they were looking around at others. 

          The Psalmist, under Divine inspiration, teaches those that love and serve YHVH to look up to the self-existent eternal God who is. Which way are you looking?  Do you have your eyes focused unto the hills or are they focused on the muck and filth of this world.  When trouble comes do you looking up where your help comes from or are you looking at those who never say anything good about anyone.  Te psalmist said very clearly, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth…”  I suggest that you take advice from the only sure source of help from God because, “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved…”

Prayer for the Day

Lord I am coming to you with confidence because You do not go to sleep while I am talking to You.  Thank You for promising that You will not allow Satan or anyone else to move my foot or any part of me for that matter.  I am asking you to help me to look up at the hills that You have made that are there as a reminder to all of your Christian musicians that real help comes from You who created them.  Help me to realize that You have strength for me to meet whatever troubles may face me today.  I want to thank You in advance that you will also take care of me tomorrow.  This I pray with confidence today.  Amen.

Song for the Day  “He Watching over Israel” by Felix Mendelssohn

God Cares

God Cares

At 4:17 AM, Wednesday March 5 in the year of our LORD 2019 God reminded me of these precious promises:

1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Hebrews 13:5B …I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:5B … as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Daniel 3:5 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Song for the Day Be Strong in the Lord by Linda Lee Johnson

Prayer for the Day

All mighty, wonderful, powerful God who sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, Your WORD declares that You will never, never, never leave me or forsake me!  I know that Your Words are true, just and of immeasurable variety.  Therefore, I can trust what I have read in the Bible because it is TRUE TRUTH.  Please help me to “Be strong and of a good courage” and to trust your Word because, since You are the Word, and since You can never be separated from  Your Word, what You have inspired the ancient writers to place in the Bible as it was “God breathed” into their minds is still true today. Thank you for taking care of me in the past.  Thank You for taking care of me today and thank You in advance for Your immutable WORD that has promised  “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.  This I am praying in Your completely trustworthy name.  Amen

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 16

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 16

          I do not know about you but I hate the thought of God having to use the words of te songs that I  perform in spite of the music part or the music because the musical vehicle  that I used as not “suitable to the subject” because it was loaded with either excess and/or musical defect.  What a pitty it would be to have my musicing actually hinder the message of the good news of the gospel.  It would be just as unfortunate for the music part of the musical offerings that I present unto Him  to be so flawed by its musical defects (because of the way I arranged the musical building blocks i.e. the formal properties of the music in such an inept manner) that the music was not supportive of the beauty of the gospel message. 

          Some brief discussion needs to be made about suitability.  One of the reasons that every Christian musician needs to develop a series of systematic beliefs about the nature and value of both sacred and secular music is because, when we understand both, we are much more equipped to make decisions about which styles of music lend themselves to being suitable to support the moral nature of the Trinity and and the message of the gospel.. These understandings of musical style also helps to equip the musician with the tools for the proper use of the various styles of music that are appropriate to be used as vehicles of prayer and praise of the high and Holy God that we love and serve.  Conversly, these understandings also help the worship leader to make mature educated choices of the styles of music that do not lend themselves to the awsomness and solemnity of worshiping the trinity and therefore should be excluded from worship.

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 15

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 15

          I’m not advocating any kind of religious fanaticism or out of contol  musical performance, but I am contending that “out of the abundance of the heart a musician musics”.  A careful exegesis of Ephesians 5:18-19 will reveal that the musicing which is mentioned in verse 19 must be done by a Christian musician that is submitted to the Holy Spirit (verse 18) and allows the Spirit to continually fill his or her life with the Spirit’s control and power.  The Ephesian writer makes an analogy of  a person who does not control his actions because he is under the control of wine and the Christian who does not music in his own power because he has steped off of the seat of control and has allowed the Holy Spirit to continually fill his life with power.  Surely the blessed Holy Spirit inspired the writer of the Ephesian letter to preface the mighty  musical teachings of Ephesians 5:19 by the necessary spiritual preperations  taught in verse eighteen.

          In the truest sense, beautiful musical offerings to God can only exude grom a holy heart life.  Galations 5:17 teaches, For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  I am not contending or intimating that beautiful musicing can not be accormpihed by a musician who is not a born again Christian.   Also, I am not declaring that when God’s Word that is set to so called  religious music that is anti-music, because  its aesthetic basis consists of music that is grotesque or ugly, is not ever used by the Holy Spirit to reach a lost soul.  I do contend, however, that it is the Word that the Holy Spirit is able to use rather than the music part of the music.  I believe this because, Isaiah 55:11 teaches, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”  So, God can use His Word to reach a lost soul in spite of the music part of a piece of music.

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 14

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 14

          What many music worship leaders and pastors failed to understand was, as I put it, “out of the abundance of the heart the church musician musics”.  I believe that “the effectual fervent musicing of a righteous person availeth much”.  So, two problems developed in public worship.  First, anointed musicing was subtly, and many times not so subtly, made fun of by modern and postmodern writers. Musicians who openly sought after the dunamis (1411) of the Holy Spirit were considered to be extremists and even fanatics.  The emphasis in the worship renewal movement was often placed on “event musicing” rather than anointed musicing. 

          I want to make it very clear that I wholeheartedly believe in beautiful music offerings.  However, I fear the subtle shift in music worship that has placed the emphasis on beautiful artistic musical performance events rather than on the power of the Holy Spirit on musical Servants who are selfless servants. Acts 1:8 teaches very clearly, “But ye shall receive power (dunamis 1411), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  There is a vast difference between powerful talented beautiful musical performances and beautiful anointed musical offerings given in an attitude of humility and submission to the blessed Holy Spirit who anoints and empowers His holy musical servants.

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 13

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 13

         Up to this point in our discussion we have not throughly considered whether or not sacred music should or must be based on a music aesthetic requiring beauty.  The question of whether the Christian musician should be concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty as a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of his or her music ministry became a major concern in the second half of the 20^th century. 

          Starting on the 1960’s, a plethora of music styles began to assert an enormous influence on religious music in many Christian communities.  Out of this musical ministry confusion generations of church musicians became preoccupied with being trendy rather than true.  All traditional music and musicing came under attack.  Traditional ways of musicing were blamed for being responsible for ineffectual (i.e. not producing or able to produce the effect one desires of music in worship).  At this point in the history of worship renewal a serious philosophical error was made by a host of Christian musicians and pastors.  Rather than taking a serious look at how church musicians were musicing unto God, they summarily dismissed any music or way of musicing that was traditional.

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 12

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 12

          Dealing philosophically with the issues mentioned in Blaise Pascal’s philosophical statement, “It is not enough that a thing be beautiful.  It must be suitable to the subject, and there must be in it nothing of excess or defect” should not be static and woodenly unchanging.  I want to make it very clear that as the world changes musically and philosophically, the Christian must continually re-define terms and make further refinements in one’s series of systematic Bible based beliefs about the nature and value of the whole of music.  As I have stated many times, the Christian is not of this world’s system (aion 165) but we are in this world (kosmos 2889) so we must constantly make adjustments in the way we music unto God.  Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Conservative Christian musicians must not resist all change but must resist destructive change. 

          There is no merit in becoming what I call a musical antique lover.  If one falls in love with”the way things were” and “the good ole days” musically speaking, one does not protect Christian worship (unless that musician was fortunate enough to have been a part of an excellent worship praxis).  He or she only protects musical tradition.  Conversely, the church musician who becomes addicted to the “cutting edge” and considers it to be his duty bound to follow every music worship fad and trend, may be responsible for much destructive change and unnecessary division among Christian believers.  I want to make it very clear that time honored ways of musicing in worship are not to be discarded lightly.  However, the way one has musiced throughout his or her lifetime does not insure that those ways of worshiping with music are representative of Bible landmarks of public worship.

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 11

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 11

          The discourse on a Christian’s “doing” on in James 1:21-27 also teaches Christians to, “… be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”  If the Bible teaches a changed life, and it does, that changed life will doubtlesly included some changes and adjustments in the way a Christian muician musics.

          I am sometimes criticised for not stating what a Christian can and cannot do when he or she musics unto God. If I were to mention exactly what is wrong with some religious music and the way church muicians music, my list of do’s and do nots would be outdated in a short period of time since the way church musicians arrange and perform is ever changing.  One of the most valuable things that an individual, church fellowship, or Chistian educational institution can do is to develop a written series of systematic beliefs concerning the nature and value of sacred and secular music.  To me the peactice of putting out muscal fires as they occur in this century is an ineffectve way to deal with the way one educates and worships. 

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 10

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 10

          The Greek word aspilos (784)  which has been translated unspotted in the AV means to be unblemished (physically or morally).  Keeping one’s music and musicing unblemished or without “excess or defect” (see part 1 of this series of posts) does not represent the majority opinion of 21^st century church musicians.  However, the discourse of James 1:21-27 admonishes Christians to keep their “doing” unblemished and undefiled before God.  I contend that the true truth of this Bible lesson, although it mentions a variety of aspects of Christian living, extends to all a Christian musician’s doing—which includes his or her musicing. 

          Also worth mentioning is the word amiantos (283) which was translated undefiled in the AV and connotes one’s doing being unsoiled or pure.  Although contending for a Christian musician’s music and musicing to represent the changed life of a Christian which is so clearly taught in the Bible is by no means popular in this century, the   inspired Word of God warns that a Christian’s doing can become blemished and defiled in the sight of God.  Even in the Old Testament in the 40th Psalm the musician David teaches under inspiration that a part of YHVH’S deliverance of him included a new song and deliverance from the pit of noise (see AV Cambridge center reference notes.).

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 9

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 9

          The quality or lack of quality of our music is important but so is unholy association with the world and compatibality with our Savior who “is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”   Music generas  ( the way the music part of the music is arranged into an artistic whole) may be so poorly put together that they are not supportive of the gospel of the Savior they are suppsed to represent, but they can also be flawed by the message and meaning that they convey to the hearer and the performer.

          It may seem to some Christian musicians that my discussion of keeping sacred music sacred by protecting it by keeping it unspotted by the world system of this age is wearisome.  James 1:21-27 speaks about a Christian’s “doing”.  It states, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.  Pure religion and undefiled (amiantos 283) before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” I am concerned not only about a Christian musician’s intent but also his or her musical “doing”.  A musician’s doing is the ultimate proof of what he or she actually believes.  What a musician says is, as 1 Corinthians 13:1 teaches, mere hollow  sounding brass or clanging symbol, if that Christian musician’s musicing is not “suitable to the subject

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 8

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 8

          I want to make it very clear that I do not believe that sacred muic and the way one musics unto God is primarily about music as an art form.  I am not contending that sacred musicing is about high art forms, but since music is an art form, we should always present God a musical offering that is the best quality that we are capable of giving.  It is interesting to note that some writers believe that the ancient Levite musicians did not think of their sacred music an an art form but rather a means of connection with God.

          Anti-music, shock music, and aelatoric music are examples (there are many more) of types of music generas that are not congruent with the beauty, good news, stability and rest of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Music styles that carry close associations to lifestyles that are antagonistic to the changed life principles taught in the Bible are also not “suitable to the subject”.  I further contend that music styles that have close affialiation to false religions like New-age, New World Order, and  Rastafarianism are not congruent with the message of Jesus Christ  taught in Hebrews 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”