Is Music a Closed System?--Part 3

 

Is Music a Closed System?--Part 3  

   Although the use of this musical reference in the fourteenth chapter of I Corinthians is in the middle of another discussion, it is still a musical reference.  Verse six explains that distinct speaking brings about clear communication.  Likewise, verse seven explains that clear production of musical sounds brings about a clear musical communication which establishes message and meaning.  Therefore, one may safely conclude that music is at least a meta-language in that it communicates meaning in an analogous manner to language.  Musicians are cautioned by this verse that clear production of musical tones will insure a clearly communicated musical message and meaning much like clear language communicates an understandable message.

 I am not saying that clearly spoken language and clearly produced musical tones function exactly alike.  However, because they have the ability to function in somewhat similar ways, I lean toward the conclusion that music functions as a meta-language.  The import of the use of this musical reference in I Corinthians 14:7 is that clearly produced music can and does communicate meaning to the performer and the auditor.  Therefore, the music part of music does matter because it communicates real understandable meaning.  A careful look at verse seven reveals that the inspired Word of God teaches that music that gives a clear distinction in its sounds has the potential to cause the performer and the auditor to “know” i.e. gain information and meaning from the musical sounds.