Musical Actions Matter

 Musical Actions Matter

A Christian’s actions and associations matter because alignment with the actions of the unrighteous places the Christian musician in agreement with them.  For this reason Christians are warned to “come out from among them”.  What this means is that any music or musicing that identifies the musicer with the world and what it stands for is a poor choice for sacred musicing.  A Christian is considered to be bigoted when he or she follows the admonition “come out from among them”. Although it is not a popular thing to do, God has promised to those who follow this admonition that, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Since the last half of the 20^th century there has been intense pressure placed on church musicians to conform their musicing to the way the world musics.  They are often told that for a church to acquire its rightful “market share” or have a relevant music ministry, it must admit all genres and music fusions that the world uses in its secular musicing.  The concept of separation from the world has been replaced with the notion that in order to win the world to Christ it is necessary to use music that is as much like the music of those who do not know Jesus Christ as is possible.  A concomitant of this faulty praxis is the philosophical belief that the end justifies the means. This philosophy has permeated much of current religious music philosophy and praxis. The basis for sacred musicing should be faith in God rather than likes and dislikes, musical taste, and musical style conformity.

Thought for the Day

Have you ever considered why you music the way you do?  Every Christian musician must know why he or she has chosen to follow a course of musical action

A Christian’s actions and associations matter because alignment with the actions of the unrighteous places the Christian musician in agreement with them.  For this reason Christians are warned to “come out from among them”.  What this means is that any music or musicing that identifies the musicer with the world and what it stands for is a poor choice for sacred musicing.  A Christian is considered to be bigoted when he or she follows the admonition “come out from among them”. Although it is not a popular thing to do, God has promised to those who follow this admonition that, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Since the last half of the 20^th century there has been intense pressure placed on church musicians to conform their musicing to the way the world musics.  They are often told that for a church to acquire its rightful “market share” or have a relevant music ministry, it must admit all genres and music fusions that the world uses in its secular musicing.  The concept of separation from the world has been replaced with the notion that in order to win the world to Christ it is necessary to use music that is as much like the music of those who do not know Jesus Christ as is possible.  A concomitant of this faulty praxis is the philosophical belief that the end justifies the means. This philosophy has permeated much of current religious music philosophy and praxis. The basis for sacred musicing should be faith in God rather than likes and dislikes, musical taste, and musical style conformity.

Thought for the Day

Have you ever considered why you music the way you do?  Every Christian musician must know why he or she has chosen to follow a course of musical action.  Start the new year knowing where you are going musically.

Philosophical Justifications for “Doing”

 

Philosophical Justifications for “Doing”

          A Christian musician often musics in a certain manner simply

 because of personal musical and spiritual instincts or because of musical

 or strictly from the standpoint of tradition can be a risky policy. A worship

 leader and a music educator must be  able to articulate reasons for

 performance and teaching choices. It is better for one not to teach others

 than to teach them in a willy-nilly manner because the *onus probandi falls

on the one who attempts to teach (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2).

          Although the Bible gives us principles of musicing unto God, it

does not cover every aspect of music that concerns the twenty-first

century Christian musician. So, every performer, music director, and

music educator must, in the fear of God, interpret and apply principles

taught in Scripture. Furthermore, performers, directors, worship leaders,

and music educators must also come to philosophical conclusions

about aspects of music that do not appear to be covered by Scripture.

With this in mind, I have covered several aspects of music which are

vital to a Christian’s musicing in the twenty-first century. The NIV

translates Isaiah 28:10 as, “For it is: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule,

a little here, a little there.” The translation above makes sense in the

context of understanding how we music. We “do” over and over

again until we are conditioned to do what we do musically. As a result,

we develop musical tastes—likes and dislikes— from what we

listen to and perform.

His Way With Thee

 

His Way With Thee

1. Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?

Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?

Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?

Let Him have His way with thee.

2. Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?

Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?

Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall?

Let Him have His way with thee.

3. Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?

Would you prove Him true in providential test?

Would you in His service labor always at your best?

Let Him have His way with thee.

Refrain:

His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;

His love can fill your soul, and you will see

’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

By  Cyrus S. Nusbaum—1898

 

I have led this song many times in evangelistic services.  Many times I led it as a song of invitation.  Each verse begins with the question “Would you…” and are followed with pungent statements that end with “Let Him have His way with thee”.  Certainly, this song is an invitation to the seeker, who does not love and serve Jesus Christ.  Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call? The question,  “Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?”  

Isaiah 1:18  gives the admonition, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Jesus stated  in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.  The thought of Jesus offering rest is echoed in verse three with the words “Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?” and in the chorus with “His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free”.

One of the many striking thoughts that are found in this song is the true truth that” His pow’r can make you what you ought to be”.  When one is separated from fellowship with God, he or she is not what that person “ought to be”.  Another truth taught in this gospel song of invitation is the all-important life question that should be answered by letting Christ have complete control of one’s life.  Christian musician be sure that your is submitted to “His way”  every day of your life.  It is one thing for a musician to have become a Christian, but it is another to continually walk in Christ every day.  Our Christian journey is about relationship rather than religiosity.  Read this old song over again and let the Holy Spirit apply its truths to your daily walk with Christ.

Thought for the Day 

Have you let him have His way with this day?  Have you  purposely placed the events of this day into his Mighty Hands?

Prayer for the Day

Lord and Savior, I am placing this day and every day into your hands.  Lord, look down on the events of this day and protect me.  Help me to guard my thoughts and actions as I try to purposely let you lead.  Pleas walk point  for me as I walk through this jungle of life.  Lord, I am no match for the enemy of my soul.  I am asking you to make me what I ought to be today.  Help me to be an example of a believer and follower of Christ.  Lord, as your musical servant help me to labor humbly at my best.  Lord, surround me with your power as you guide and guard my steps.  This I am praying in your wise and wonderful name.  Amen

 

 

Wise Men Came to Worship Christ

 

Wise Men Came to Worship Christ 

Matthew 2:1-2 states, “Now when Jesus was born on Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

       We do not know when the kings came to Jerusalem, or when they appeared at Joseph and Mary’s home.  It is generally believed that it was about a year after Christ’s birth.  There is much conjecture about just who these Eastern Magi were.  Many believe that they were astrologers and or philosophers.  There is some possibility that they were Jews of mixed descent who lived in distant lands and were knowledgeable of the Messianic prophesies in the Jewish Scrolls.  If so, then they would have believed that the time of Christ’s coming was at hand.

       Since they followed Christ’s star, there possible were astrologers among them –and thus the statement “We have followed his star”.  However, the thing that really mattered was that they traveled all those miles to worship Christ.  They believed that he was the “king” so they diligently sought after Him.  They believed that they would indeed find the Christ child.  Even more importantly it sees that they believed that He was the Messiah and that He was worthy of their worship.

       Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Wise men and women still seek Him.  In their seeking it is still necessary for them to believe, like the wise men who sought after Christ; and they must believe, not only that he is, but that he will reward those who seek him with salvation." 

      Matthew 2:1-2 states, “Now when Jesus was born on Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” We do not know when the kings came to Jerusalem, or when they appeared at Joseph and Mary’s home.  It is generally believed that it was about a year after Christ’s birth.  There is much conjecture about just who these Eastern Magi were.  Many believe that they were astrologers and or philosophers.  There is some possibility that they were Jews of mixed descent who lived in distant lands and were knowledgeable of the Messianic prophesies in the Jewish Scrolls.  If so, then they would have believed that the time of Christ’s coming was at hand. 

       Since they followed Christ’s star, there possible were astrologers among them –and thus the statement “We have followed his star”.  However, the thing that really mattered was that they traveled all those miles to worship Christ.  They believed that he was the “king” so they diligently sought after Him.  They believed that they would indeed find the Christ child.  Even more importantly it sees that they believed that He was the Messiah and that He was worthy of their worship.       

       Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Wise men and women still seek Him.  In their seeking it is still necessary for them to believe, like the wise men who sought after Christ; and they must believe, not only that he is, but that he will reward those who seek him with salvation.

 

 

 

No Room for Jesus

 

No Room for Jesus

St. Luke2:7 states, And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

       Can you imagine that there was actually no room for the Son of God in the inn in Bethlehem?  Many times we as musicians have a hard time understanding why bad things happen to good people.  Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus were certainly good people.  Why did God the Father let Jesus, His only begotten son, be born in a cattle shelter which was perhaps a cave?  From our very finite understanding it would seem that there could have been at least a tiny room that no one was using.  However, God the Father let His only son be born in obscurity and humility.  On this blessed day of days, we should remember that, regardless of our circumstances, most of us were not born in a place of humility like Jesus.

       Jesus didn’t let his surroundings and his humble birth ever affect His ministry.  Likewise, His earthly parents did not let the humility of the circumstances of Christ’s birth affect their vision of who Jesus was and their role in the accomplishment of the will of God.  Thank God for Mary and Joseph who did not let their situation deter them from obeying God that wonderful night long ago in Bethlehem.    

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord for being the living Christ.  Thank You for being the God who “is” and not merely one who “was”.   Thank you for making it possible for a Kansas farmer like me to come to a saving and sanctifying knowledge of You.  Thank you that You suffered without the gate to sanctify your people (Hebrews 13:12).  Thank You for Your great love and sacrifice in coming to dwell on earth and to dwell in my heart.  Amen.

Song of the Day “We Three Kings” by John H. Hopkins

Thought for the Day--Although many of my generation believe that seeking after Christ is a waste of time since they do not believe that He is truly God, I want to go on record as one “Baby Boomer” that is a seeker after Christ.

The Long Journey to Bethlehem

 

The Long Journey to Bethlehem

          Luke 2:4-5 states, “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”       The long trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem by Joseph and Mary was a journey of faith.  Caesar Augustus had decreed that all the people should be registered or “taxed”.  Joseph’s journey with Mary was not merely an act of obedience to Caesar Augustus, but also to God.  As we discussed yesterday, the angel had assured Joseph that he should not be afraid to accept Mary as his espoused wife.

       Now Mary and Joseph are on their journey toward Bethlehem the day before the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Joseph is not ashamed of Mary because he trusts he trusts God.  He is willing to sign the tax register and publicly accept Mary as his espoused wife—going on record for all eternity that he trusts and believes God.

       On this the day before Christmas are you among the Christian musicians that trust God?  Are you willing to trust God with your life, your career, your future, and your music ministry?  Trust comes with implicit faith in god that He will guide you and protect you for the rest of your life.  Joseph’s implicit faith that the angel of God had told him the truth enabled him to take the long journey of faith to Bethlehem that day.  It will be by faith alone that you will enter the New Year knowing in your heart that God is saying to you “be not afraid”.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I want to tell You that I love and trust You right now on December 24th.  I know that You will never fail me or lead me astray.  Give me the courage and strength to keep on my journey of musicing for You.  I believe that You have placed me exactly where I am “for such a time as this”.  Please guide my musical ministry and help me to reach out to Your strong arms for protection.  Please guide me through the journey of life no matter where You lead me.  Lord, like Joseph I am willing to publicly go on record that I trust your will and your path for me for the rest of my life.  I love You Lord.  Please help me to keep ministering musically for Your Glory. These things I bring to You because are worthy of all my feeble trust.  Amen.

Song for the Day “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Phillips Brooks.

Thought for the Day--It is one thing to say that we trust God with the “Journey”, but it is another thing to start walking!

 

 

Joseph Was Truly Blessed

 

Joseph Was Truly Blessed

St Matthew 1:20 states, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

       Joseph was in terrible mental anguish.  If he put Mary away publicly, the Jews would probably stone her to death.  So, he was contemplating putting her away privately.  He certainly needed to hear from God.  So, God sent his angel to assure Joseph that God was going to take care of Mary and himself. 

       Did you ever think of what would have happened if Joseph had failed God at this crucial time in the history of mankind?  What would have happened to Mary?   What would have happened to the baby Jesus who was not yet born of the Virgin Mary?  It is easy for us to postulate that God would not have let anything happen to the Baby Jesus, but it took the obedience of both Mary and Joseph for God to complete His perfect will.  If Joseph had not had a choice, I do not believe that his choice would have been recorded in the Holy Writ.

       Compared to Joseph’s choice, many of our choices in life seem somewhat insignificant.  At this time of Christmas, it behooves all Christian musicians to remember that our choices, no matter how small they seem, do matter.  If God could trust Joseph to make the right choice, surely He will help us to make right choices during this Christmas season.  Joseph was truly blessed because God could trust him to make the right decision.

       I know from experience that it is about this time in December that musicians go into depression.  We wish that our Christmas presentations would have been performed more accurately.  We can think of a thousand and one things that we could have done more efficiently.  However the Presentations are over and we are left with the “Christmas program blues”.  Look up! I believe God’s angel is saying to you “do not be afraid.  God has accepted your musical offering.”  It isn’t the grandness of our musical offerings that matter but it is the fact that we have given Him the best offering that we can give and that we offered it as an offering “in righteousness”.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I thank You for Your faithfulness to me during this busy, busy season.  Thank You for helping me to feed your people with my little musical lunch.  Lord, it may have been small, but I gave it all to You.  Help me to remember that it was my responsibility to give 100%, and it was Your pleasure to feed the hungry people with my meager lunch.  Help me to keep believing your Word that encourages me that I am doing the will of the Father.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen.

Song for the Day “O Come All Ye Faithful” Latin Hymn

Thought for the Day--Can God trust you like he did with Joseph to make right decisions? 

 

Mary Was Truly Blessed

 

Mary Was Truly Blessed 

St Luke 1:28 states, “And the angel came unto her, and said, hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

       Yesterday we talked about God preparing the way for Jesus’ coming by a man who was not afraid to proclaim the message of Christ.  Today we are going to consider the Virgin Mary who was not afraid to obey the angel of God who came to give her the assurance that the Lord was going to be with her and had chosen her to help prepare the way of Christ to bring salvation to sinful men and women in this sin cursed world.  What would have happened if she had been afraid to obey God?  God had planned that she should be blessed above all women.  However, she had to be obedient to the will of God in order to help fulfill the promise of god to all people.  The fulfillment of the gift of God through Christ Jesus was contingent on her obedience to God’s mysterious and wonderful plan.

       Chief musician you have been chosen to tell the wonderful story of Christ’s coming once again to earth to save sinful men and women.  Only eternity will reveal how important your obedience is to God’s strategic plan for bringing hope and salvation to post-modern and post post-modern men and women who hear you and those who music with you during this season.

Song for the Day “Good Christian me Rejoice” Latin Carol, 16th Century, translated by John Neale

Thought for the Day--Mary was truly blessed above all women to be chosen to bear the Christ Child.  She was blessed because God knew that she would be obedient to the will of God.  She was also blessed because she was obedient to God’s will.

Prayer for the Day 

I want to thank you Lord for placing all those music ministers out there in your kingdom to minister musically to those who experience the musicing of my choir and orchestra this Christmas.  May the words, melodies, and harmonies, that they produce bring honor to your matchless name.  Lord, help all those who are out there musicing for You this Christmas season to not become weary in well doing.  Help us all to be faithful to the task of telling the good news of Christ’s coming to those who attend worship services and sacred music productions this Christmas.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen.       

 

 

God Uses Holy Men and Women at Christmas

 

God Uses Holy Men and Women at Christmas  

Malachi 3:1 states, “Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”

       Have you ever thought about the fact that God used a man to help prepare the way for His Son’s coming to dwell with us?  Why would god need john the Baptist to help prepare the people for Christ’s coming?  John was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Luke 3:4).  His message was, “there cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.  I indeed baptize you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost” (St Mark 1:7-8).  The prophet Malachi stated, “He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer an offering in righteousness (Malachi #:2-4).

       If we as Christian musicians have any hope of offering the lord musical offerings in “righteousness”, we must have our hearts purified by the cleansing baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is coming again and we as Christian musicians are called to help prepare this world to be ready spiritually for His coming.  God has, in his great wisdom, chosen us to go to a high mountain and tell the good news of Christ’s coming to save sinful men and women. It is the Christmas season any we will have the opportunity of give God a musical offering in righteousness and at the time minister to some folks that we may not see again until Easter Sunday morning.  We need to make sure that we are filled with God’s Spirit as we minister musically during this Christmas season.

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I want to thank You for sending John the Baptist to help prepare the way for the coming of Christ.  I want to thank you that you always seek out faithful men and women who are filled with the Holy spirit to proclaim your messenger.  Please help me as a Christian musician to minister with a passion that is only possible by the filling and power of the Holy Spirit.  Lord please fill with the dunamis of the Spirit today and throughout this Christmas season.  Please endue me with power so that I may seek out my “high mountain’ and proclaim the good news of your coming to earth to save sinful men and women in the twenty-first century.  These things I pray in confidence this morning.  Amen.

Astrologers on a Journey of Faith

 

Astrologers on a Journey of Faith

Matthew 2:1-2 states, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

       These astrologers who were kings came from the east to worship Christ.  Before Christ was born in Bethlehem, these Gentile kings started their very long journey from the east.  They weren’t Jews, but somehow they knew about the ancient scrolls that contained prophesies of the birth of a Jewish king.  Somehow they must have read the Isaiah scroll that stated, “Arise shine for thy light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to the light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

       These Eastern kings understood the meaning of this passage from the Isaiah scroll in with a different understanding based upon their knowledge of the study of the stars.  Somehow when Christ’s star appeared in the heavens at night it sparked faith in them to seek out the Christ child and worship Him.

       If God can who spoke worlds into existence can call Gentile kings from the east to come to worship Christ, He can cause those in the community around your church to come to your Christmas presentation.  He can make it possible for them to hear the clear message that Christ came to earth to save sinful men and women from their sins.  Chief musician do not get discouraged.  It is your job to preach Christ crucified with your Christmas presentation and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict men and women of their sin.  So, go tell it on the mountain top.  Tell them that Christ was born to forgive them of their sins.   You must take courage because you have a great job to do this Christmas season.

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day 

I thank you Lord for sending the wise men to seek and worship You long ago.  Help me to be a wise man and seek you today and throughout this Christmas season.  Help me to truly worship you during this Christmas season.  May I never lose the wonder of your journey to earth to save my soul from the fires of hell.  Thank you that you came all the way from heaven to find me and give me life everlasting.  These things I pray.  Amen.  

Song for the Day “Wonderful Story of Love” by J.M. Driver 

Thought for the Day--It is no joke that wise men still seek Christ.  Are you a seeker after God?

God Really Is with Us

 

God Really Is with Us

 Isaiah 7:14 states, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and thou shall call his name Immanuel.”

       St. Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah’s prophesy and further explains that Emmanuel means “God with us”.  To a people long ago who were in great darkness, God promised to send His son to be with us!  It was a long time after Isaiah’s prophesy before Christ was born, but god always keeps His promises.

       Christian musician be sure to remind everyone who takes part in your Christmas musical ministry that Christ’s coming to earth in space and time was a fulfillment of God’s promise to mankind that God really would come to earth to dwell with us.  Although you, as a music minister, may believe that all those who minister musically with you know all about the story of Christ’s coming to earth—tell them again! 

       I get blessed just thinking about the fact that God was and is with us.  We are not alone on this earth.  We may not be able to see Him, but we can experience His presence very, very near us at this time of Christmas.  Christ came to abide with us—not just visit us.  He came to tabernacle with his children.  Be sure to invite all who minister with you to experience Christ in a special way as they music unto Him.   That will make their musicing real and very special this Christmas season.   

Prayer, Chorus, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

        I want to thank you Lord for coming to be with us.  Thank you for leaving the splendors of heaven to be born of a virgin so that you could dwell with us.  I Thank you heavenly Father that we can trust you to always keep your promises to us.  Thank you for coming all the way to the eastern Kansas camp meeting in Fort Scott Kansas to forgive me of all my sins.  Thank You for finding me on an eighty-acre farm and convicting me of all my dark and awful sins.  Thank you for giving me a praying mother who wept and prayed over her wayward son until God for Christ’s sake brought me to a place of repentance on July 23, 1967.  Thank You Lord that I am experiencing Your presence right now as I write this little devotional prayer to You.  Thank you for giving me the witness that You dwell in my heart right at this moment.  Thank you!  Thank You!  Thank you!  Amen.

Chorus for the Day “Emmanuel” by Bob McGee 

Thought for the Day--It doesn’t make any difference to me whether my generation believes in Christ as a personal Savior or not, I know that he is because He has forgiven me of all my sins and sanctified me holy and that is enough evidence for me.

 

God’s Clock Does Keep Perfect Time

 

God’s Clock Does Keep Perfect Time

       For centuries, the world had needed a Savior.  Surely the people were in darkness and sin.  In these dark times God the father sent His only son to come to earth that were under the law.  God knew that the wages of sin is eternal death, but God also knew that only the giving of His son Jesus could bring eternal life to this sin cursed world.  All those who loved and served Jehovah that lived during Old Testament times looked forward to the coming of the Messiah.  They must have wondered why they were left without the promised Emanuel. 

       I cannot imagine what it would have been like to have been born during those dark times.  It is amazing to me that many of the Jewish church leaders, who knew the prophesies about the coming of Christ, were not looking for a Savior who would be born in obscurity, humility, and poverty in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem.

       But when God’s clock said that it was the right time, He sent His son to this earth so that we would be able to receive remission of sins and be adopted into the family of God.  Although we do not understand why the time was right for our Savior to be born, we know that he did come and that He came to save us from sin.  Praise God that His clock does keep perfect time.  Because it does, we are the benefactors of this great salvation.

Thought and Scripture for the Day  

We should take advantage of this Christmas season to thank our heavenly Father for the plan of salvation.  We should not forget to be thankful that, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 9

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 9

          The purpose of all this discussion of progressive despair is to show logically how 20th century musical philosophy prepared the way for the autonomous philosophical practice of contemporary Christian musicians.  It is easy to see how the inordinate quest for music freedom of the world in the 20th  century strongly molded the autonomous freedom philosophy of contemporary Christian musicians.

          The parallels are astonishing.  Both believe that music aesthetic is totally a matter of personal opinion.  Both believe that rhythm and dissonance are extremely vital to their music.  Both believe that the only artistic standards in music composition are those which the artist imposes on himself.  Both believe that the composer and the performer are autonomous.  The godless worldly composers are not interested in what God thinks about music and the worldly Christian musicians are not interested in a philosophical belief that God thinks about the music part of music.

          How does a Christian musician develop a philosophy of music aesthetics?  Some Christian musicians believe that art derives most of its significance outside of itself.  This is especially true when we consider sacred music.  Worship music normally exists as a means to an end.  Music is a vehicle upon which the Word of God rides into the mind of the worshiper.  However, an increasing number of Christian musicians believe that music is a closed system and that its system of “knowing” and its significance comes within itself.  This philosophical belief allows a Christian musician to function independently of the Lordship of Christ.  Since they believe that music’s significance is in no way referential it only refers to itself and may not “say” anything at all.  This belief system allows a total artistic approach to religious music. 

 

 

Thoughts and Scripture for the Day

Psalm 115:1-8 states, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.  Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.  They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:  They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:  They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.  They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.”  Surely these admonitions teach Christian musicians that a Christian’s goal is a life of service and worship rather than lifting up self.  As we enjoy this Christmas season let us renew our vow to the God we love and worship to present ourselves fresh and anew to the reasonable service of being a living sacrifice unto God.  It is the rational thing for all Christian musicians to do each day of our lives.

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 8

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 8 

          The ultimate expression of 20th century despair in music composition was developed by Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951).  Although his earliest works were in post-Romantic style, his compositions became more and more chromatic.  Next, his works became very dissonant and pantonal which defied the rules of traditional harmonic practice.  Next came his 12-tone (dodecaphonic) compositions.  These works were based on a tone row using all twelve tones equally, thereby emancipating dissonance.  This technique was the ultimate 20th century expression of despair in music composition.  It purported that all 12 tones should be used with equal emphasis with no regard to the rules of harmonic practice.  Up to this time, music always flowed from consonance to dissonance which was always resolved into consonance.  What Schoenberg accomplished was the destruction of absolutes in music.  To him nothing was profound, appropriate, proper, right or wrong in harmonic practice.  What he changed was both the epistemology and the methodology of meaning in music composition.  So, under his epistemology there are ways of “knowing” that involve new foundations and new limits.  With this compositional methodology, he created a new way of dealing with the science of music.  His new compositional procedures established a completely new way of musical “knowing” through his new rules and procedures.

          No one before Schoenberg had ever been successful in completely negating the traditional way of “knowing” when it came to music composition.  What musicians most often fail to recognize that Schoenberg’s dodecaphonic invention was deeply engrained in philosophy.  He intended to defy the philosophy that there was profundity in harmonic practice.  To him nothing about music was profound.  To Schoenberg nothing mattered in music but the composer’s free will.  To Schoenberg the only rules or standards of music that mattered were those rules and standards that the composer imposed upon himself.  To him the only thing that mattered about how a composer arranged the building blocks of music was the composers self-actualized rules of how he wished to arrange the building blocks of music.

 

Thoughts for the Day

It is unfortunate that so many Christian composers and performers are set on negating the traditional way of “knowing” when it came to music composition.   It seems to me that it would make more sense to seek a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit on one’s composing, arranging, and musicing than to seek to destroy all music convention in order to develop one’s human potential.  Zechariah 4:6, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 7

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 7

          Another philosophical theory that affected composers of the 20th century was existentialism.  This theory was a literary movement rather than an artistic theory like Dadaism and surrealism.  This theory was introduced by Sören Aaby Kierkegaard (1813-1855).  He believed that man was not a part of any metaphysical scheme.  He believed that each person must create (authenticate) his own being in his hostile environment by an act of his free will.

          Composers of the modern era, like the proponents of the “isms” mentioned above, struck out against all tradition, standards of correctness with their new music.

Debussy paved the way to the door of despair and Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) walked through it with portions of his ballet Petruska composed in bitonality.  His ballet Le sacre du printemps was composed in polytonality with the use of polyrhythms.  His Septet (1953) and his ballet Agon (1957) were composed in Serial (12 tone) technique.  So by the end of his career Stravinsky had moved from conventional diatonic harmonic practice to Schoenberg’s despair of 12 tone technique.

 

Thought for the Day

It is one thing for a composer to destroy norms of secular music but it is another for a Christian composer to strike out at norms and time proven traditions of musicing unto a high and holy Trinity just for the fun of doing so to be different or in jest.

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 6

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 6

          After French impressionism, came several schools of artistic thought that had an effect on music philosophy and composition.  Dadaism was one of those movements that struck out at traditional aesthetic and moral values.  This school of thought, starting around 1916, used chance techniques and was a very irreverent and often irrational artistic absurdity.  Proponents of Dadaism were Tristan Tzara (1896-1963), Jean Arp (1887-1966) and others.

          This movement gave rise to surrealism which was formulated by André Breton (1896-1966) and made famous by Salvador Dali (1904-1984).  The philosophy of surrealism came from Breton’s automatism philosophy that what a person thinks, feels or wills is determined by physical changes in that person’s body.  This philosophy purports that although one is fully conscious, actions come from subconscious images over which that person has no control.

 

Thought for the Day

At the time of Impressionism morals and theology weakened before the fine arts become distorted. This is spoken of in 2Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”   It is also mentioned in Romans 1:24-25 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 5

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 5

          Under the lack-luster philosophy of some religious musicians, musicing unto God  no longer has to be aesthetically beautiful.  Although almost all Christian musicians who perform rock-based music would deny it, they don’t believe in a music aesthetic based on any definable traditional standards of beauty.  If they do believe in a Christian music aesthetic, it is most certainly a redefined beauty based on a synthesis somewhere in between beauty and ugliness.  How did music degenerate in its aesthetic beauty from the music of J.S. Bach to the anti-music of composers like John Cage?  I believe that Achille-Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was one of the early composers who started in the direction of despair music.  He became interested in the literary works of the symbolist writers of the 19th century.  These writers addressed their writings to a system of symbols and symbolic meaning as a negative reaction to naturalism and realism in literature.  This school was nonliteral and figurative thus developing a network of vague images.

          The music of Claude Debussy was chromatic, fluid and vague.  Debussy’s opera Pelléas et Mélisande in this symbolist style The opera is an expression of Debussy’s philosophy that music should be a free art, truly representative of the fact that it cannot be contained, but exists in time and is born on air.  That freedom meant a relaxation of restrictions such as those that normally governed form, harmonic progressions, and rhythm.  The Development of Western Music, K. Marie Stolba, p.775.  This vagueness was considered impressionistic and thus the connection was made with the vagueness of the visual art of Edouard Manet (1832-1883), Paul Cézanne (1839-1906), Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas (1834-1917), Claude Monet (1840-1926), and Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919).  The works of these painters are studies in the impression light makes on the subjects of these paintings.  Often, light and subject seem to almost merge. The overall impression takes precedence over clarity, thus vagueness reigns. 

 

Thought for the Day

The vagueness of French Impressionism paved the way for the emancipation of dissonance of the 20^th century.

 

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 4

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 4

          What does all this mean to church musicians in the 21st century?  Why should we care what “serious academic music” composers do?  The reason we care is that in order for us to know how contemporary Christian music derived its philosophical basis, we must understand the history of music.  With these basic understandings of 20th century philosophical despair in music philosophy, we are able to know how 21st century church musicians derive their synthesis music philosophy.

          Contemporary Christian musicians have accepted many elements of the anti-music despair of the 20th century.  They believe, like Stravinsky, that the music part of music is not efficacious i.e. it is incapable of expressing anything at all.  Furthermore, these Christian musicians believe, like John Cage, that nothing is “sacred” or “profound” about the music part of contemporary Christian music.  Finally, like the religious music of Pierre Henry, these contemporary Christian’s religious music is grotesque and dissonant but the words are clear and clean!  To them this sanctifies the deed!  If the words are clean, nothing else matters.

 

Thought for the Day

It is not very logical for a Christian musician to want to present our loving heavenly Father a grotesque or ugly love offering.

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 3

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 3

           In 1952, Cage composed his ultimate anti-musical composition, “4 minutes and 33 seconds”.  After Cage, other composers began to use chance operations which have been termed aleatoric i.e. like the throwing of dice.  This piece became the ultimate composition of anti-music since his purpose was to compose music that said absolutely NOTHING!  The performer simply sat at the piano for the designated period of time making absolutely no sounds.

          At this point in the history of music,  so-called serious music composition had philosophically destroyed an aesthetic of beauty and profundity in music.  Cage had philosophically proved Stravinsky’s antithesis philosophical statement, “I consider that music is, by its very nature, essentially powerless to express anything at all...” , Wayne Bowman, Wayne.  Philosophical Perspectives on Music, p.194  So the godless antithesis of depraved man in the 20th century closed the door on a music aesthetic based on beauty and musing with anti-music based on distortion and chance techniques.

These composers opened the door for the lack-luster philosophy that the music part of music is incapable of expressing any effective message or perhaps any message at all.  They also destroyed profundity in music since chance music is just as profound as the most thought out composition by great composers like J. S. Bach.  Now complete musical despair reigns.  To these composers music says nothing is incapable of being profound, and is ultimately incapable of expressing anything at all.

 

Thought for the Day

Although beauty in the fine arts may differ somewhat, until the 20^th century aesthetic ethics always considered music in terms of the beautiful.

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 2

 

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician—part 2

          Any philosophical view of aesthetics that admits the grotesque or ugly is faulty.  We know that crude, ugly unmusical compositions do exist, but they are the result of a misarrangement of the building blocks of music.  Never blame God with ugly grotesque unmusical compositions.  The anti-music compositions of the 20th century were not produced by God-fearing Christian composers and arrangers.

          Musique concrète is an example of anti-music music composition.  Pierre Schaeffer (1910--1995) composed music directly on tapes or discs from natural sources.  However, these “natural sounds” were seriously distorted by playing them backward, changing the speed of the sound of by other editing abnormalities.  In 1948, Schaeffer composed his Concert des bruites (Concert of Noises) and other original compositions.  Pierre Schaeffer’s music can be identified with the philosophy of surrealist painters with its juxtaposition and chance techniques.  He often took perfectly natural sounds and scrambled them in an indeterminable manner.  (Surrealism will be considered later in this discussion.) 

          Schaeffer, Henry, Baronnett and Boulez were the early “inventors” of this anti-music distortion.  These compositions included religious pieces like Mass for Liverpool and The Apocalypse of John.  So this distortion found its way into religious genres making subtle mockery of the awesomeness and solemnity of sacred symbols.  One shocking aspect of this distorted religious music is that the narration of the Bible text is clearly understandable.  John Cage (1912--1992) became interested in anti-musical techniques like prepared piano and chance operations.  Cage called his chance music indeterminacy. 

 

Thought for the Day

Not everything that God created was visually beautiful but it was all very good.