Music in Worship Is Not All a Matter of Taste

 

Music in Worship Is Not All a Matter of Taste

Writers often refer to the terms modern, postmodern, and post-Christian and contemporary thinkers. The term modern means that which exhibits the characteristics of present or recent times. One who adheres to conforms to current tendencies at the exclusion of traditional ways of ministering through the art of music or builds a music philosophy based on modern standards of “correctness” and “knowing” is a “modern” music minister. A distinction must be made between “modern” and “up-to-date”. Modern connotes a new way of “thinking” or “knowing” about musicing. Up to date connotes thinking new things about musicing. Conservative traditional thesis thinkers must not make the mistake of confusing the two. If this mistake is made the conservative Christian will become an “antiquer” – one who reveres only old things.

There is nothing inherently wrong with a new style or a new composition or a new way of musicing. Those who are “antiquers” disdain anything past Watts and Wesley, Ira Sankey, and George Beverly Shea. Never confuse an ancient landmark of musical worship with an old-fashioned way of musicing. Music as a part of worship is not all a matter of taste but there is room for personal taste in musical worship. Not every style of music is appropriate for worship but there is room for more than one style of music in Christian worship.