Musicing in Christ—part 1

 

Musicing in Christ—part 1

2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of what it is like to be “in Christ”, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, in 1:9-11 he explains his desire for those who are in Christ, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge [epignosis 1922-full discernment] and in all judgment [aisthesis 144- perception]; That ye may approve [dokimazo 1381-test or examine] things that are excellent [diaphero 1308- surpass, or more excellent]; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

“The Biblical view of the arts, specifically music, is radically different from our culture’s view which sometime seeps into the church.  Music making is neither a frill nor a status symbol.  It is the core of a right relationship with God.”1 Hopefully, the Christian parent, being a new creature in Christ Jesus, will not be convinced by those who are not Christians to view the world and music and musicing as they do.  By the term musicing I mean the act of performing or “doing” music. The way that Christian parents view the world will strongly influence how they view music and musicing in this world, and that view will strongly influence how their children view music.

1.    Froehlich, Mary Ann. Music Education in the Christian Home.  Brentwood,

Tennessee: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc. 1990, p. 8.

 

Thought for the Day—A broad study of music and what the Bible teaches about sacred and secular musicing is necessary if a Christian musician is ever going to be qualified to make quality decisions about music and musicing.