Considering More Than One School

Considering More Than One School

 Most often a single school of music philosophy is too incomplete or restrictive to cover the nature, value, and meaning of the whole of music.  Therefore, a musician may wish to explain the nature, value, and meaning of music and musicing with aspects from more than one of the major schools of music philosophy and doing so does not make that musician a pluralist.  Looking at music from more than one philosophic framework, is not pluralistic or antagonistic to the belief that there is objective truth found in and outside of the Bible.

The student of music should remember that utilizing aspects from more than one school of music philosophy in a Christian’s music and whole life philosophy does not make that musician a pluralist who believes philosophically that there is no objective truth about music and musicing or that multiple truths exist at the same time. First, it should be pointed out that true truth (absolute truth) cannot be found in music’s understandable meaning. Second, music’s understandable meaning cannot simultaneously refer to conflicting meanings or “truths” or multiple “truths” at the same time.  Third, to accept such faulty conflicting notions is to believe that there is no objective truth at all.  Fourth, I am not contending that there is only one genre or one way to music unto God.  Rather, I am saying that one single school of music philosophy will probably not provide inclusive enough philosophical basis for a Christian musician to develop a Bible based, faith based, Christocentric music philosophy. Finally, being tolerant of the philosophical beliefs of others does not make a Christian musician a pluralist.

Thoughts for the Day

I have been a serious student of music in the Bible and music philosophy for over 50 years.  During that half century I have been very careful not to write in a negative sensorial manner.  Now that I am 71 years old, I am most grateful to my heavenly Father that He has guarded, guided what I have written.  I am admonishing young writers to be careful what you put in print that will last until this world is no more.