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.
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