What Kind of Music Did Charles and John Wesley Use? Part 3

What Kind of Music Did Charles and John Wesley Use? Part 3

          It should be pointed out that when a composer utilizes fresh new melodies and harmonies with religious music it is not an indication that there is anything inappropriate or incongruent. On the contrary, old melodies do not automatically indicate that they are classic or of a high quality.  New melodies and harmonies do not indicate that this music is inappropriate, incongruent of a poor quality.  The answer is not found philosophically or musically in the “old versus new argument” or the “secular versus sacred” argument but rather in wise usage of both.  It shouldn’t take much discernment or a doctor’s degree in music composition, for a worship leader to come to an understanding that some music does not lend itself to congruent use with music that a congregation of believers is using to bring honor and glory to an awesome triune God. 

          The fact that the Wesleys used new melodies, old melodies or borrowed melodies from previous secular usage is not the issue.  Several things are especially important when one makes use of eclecticism in music.  First, a Christian musician must be aware of a melodies close association with music that was antichrist in its previous enactment. (The philosophical issue is not always how many people in a worshiping congregation know the meaning of this music in its original enactment, but rather an intellectual honesty about  connecting the moral nature of God with former ribald themes.)  Second, a Christian musician must be constantly aware of whether or not this borrowed music is congruent or incongruent with the message of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Third, Christians must be knowledgeable enough of music composition to discern if it does or does not lend itself to being used to represent the moral nature of God. God is high and holy and is worthy of being worshiped with music that will bring honor to His holiness.

Thought for the Day

The fact that there is room for a variety of styles of music that may be appropriately used with sacred lyric poetry does not give a Christian musician license to use every style of music with church music.