Daily Musical Decisions

Daily Musical Decisions

Making daily musical decisions shapes the tenor of every Christian music educator’s music praxis. All music education praxis exudes from music philosophy. Let me repeat that a music education philosophy is a series of systematic statements (beliefs) about the nature and value of the whole of music education. That understanding of music’s nature and value gives the music educator an inner peace that is absolutely essential to following a congruent musical praxis. There is a peace that comes with being in the center of the Lord’s will and teaching with a foundation of the biblical principles of the changed life of a Christian musician. Without that inner witness of the Holy Spirit, a music educator is destined to be driven about by the latest trends of what is popular in the world’s opinion. 

Furthermore, a Christian music education philosophy must be Christocentric; Christ’s teachings must be at the center of a Christian music educator’s musical beliefs. A Christian’s music philosophy may be systematic, but if it does not follow the clear teachings of the Bible, it will be faulty. There is objective truth concerning music education. That truth is always Bible-based and congruent with the separated life of a Christian. Christian music educators must always consider what their music praxis will do to the whole-life of their students because no one musics in a vacuum. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” All musicing is referential; students will muse on what they perform and listen to, and it will have an effect on their whole life.

Thought for the Day

Before a Christian is able to develop a Christian music education philosophy, each person must decide that CME is a  conviction rather than a  mere educational choice.