Unifying Knowledge –part 2

Unifying Knowledge –part 2

Philosophy has been historically a pursuit of the systematized principles that give a wisdom that reveals truth and a unified filed of knowledge based on truth and error or thesis and antithesis.  Somewhere in the early 20^th century many philosophers began to give up hope in a unified filed of knowledge based on thesis (right) or antithesis (wrong).  They began to believe the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Frederick Hegel (1770-1831).  Hegel believed that every idea belonged to an all-embracing mind in which every idea (thesis) elicited its opposite (antithesis) and the result of these two was a unified whole which he called synthesis (“the both and belief system”).  His “unified” whole was epistemologically different since it derived “knowing” from a new synthesis thesis.  This “knowing” brought about a new truth that was always found somewhere between truth and error. In my opinion Hegel’s “somewhere in the middle” synthesis laid the groundwork for pluralism.

Before Hegelian synthesis thought, the Scripture in I John 2:15, “Love not the world”, meant just that, don’t love the world or become controlled by the system of “this present age”.   After acceptance of Hegelian synthesis thought, it became acceptable to be a Christian whose thought patterns were conformed to the fashion of this world...  Those who accepted this viewpoint no longer believed the Bible when it said that if you loved the world, the love of the father was not in you.  Under this autonomous philosophy you could love the world, think like the world, and act like the world and love the Lord at the same time.

Thought for the Day

The simplest way to justify what you are doing musically is to change your epistemology.  Then You can change your music methodology.

Unifying Knowledge –part 1

Unifying  Knowledge –part 1

          I am deeply indebted to the work of Francis Schaffer for opening to me a very clear basic understanding of how philosophical thought has shaped the thinking of modern and postmodern Christians.  After reading his Escape from Reason and The God Who is There as well as other of his great works, it became clear to me how many Christian musicians came to believe that there are no absolutes in music.

          For centuries philosophers believed that it was possible for all thought to come under a unified field of knowledge.  They often fought bitterly over just what that unified field of knowledge included.  Although philosophers did not agree on the content of that unified knowledge, they did agree that philosophical endeavor could and should bring about a philosophy of hope to the world. 

Thought for the Day

I am always am amazed at Christian musicians who are conservative in many ways, but are very liberal when it comes to musicing unto God.

Christ Brought Us True Truth

Christ Brought Us True Truth

St. John 1:17, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

         After reading this verse, I just want thank and praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for grace and truth.  If Christ had not come to this earth, took on the form of man and man, been completely obedient to the will of the Father, lived, ministered unselfishly, suffered , died on a cruel cross, rose again victorious over death, hell and the grave, we would still be sacrificing the blood of bulls and goats for the remission of our sins.  Hallelujah! What a Savior is our Lord Jesus Christ!  I just want to stop right now and worship Him for who He is, for what He has Done, and for what He is still doing for all of us who are living on this earth. 

          I have been thinking about the word charis (5485) that was translated grace in the AV.  Now we know that charis can mean graciousness, but I don’t believe that is what is meant here.  I believe that it is referring to the divine influence upon the heart of the believer.  Because of this complete change in the heart of the believer we refer to that person as being “born again”.  If you could have experience who I was and how I acted before I wept, confessed my sins with much godly sorrow, you wouldn’t have any trouble believing that I am truly born again.  I am ashamed of it but I was an awful, sinful person who was full of bitterness when Jesus found me.  So, you will just have to excuse me while “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad (Psalm 34:2).  Wow!  He changed me completely!  Hallelujah!

          I am thankful that Christ brought to us not only grace but also truth.  Truth was translated from the word aletheia (225) which means of variety.  That is why we call it true truth.  Christ was saturated with truth for us.  I am so thankful that I was not deceived by some false perceived “truth” that has developed into one of the false religions that have deceived so many people.  So, today I am praising God for bringing to us both grace and truth.  I have been audiating these words, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart; I have light in my soul for which long I have sought, since Jesus came into my heart.” 

Song for the Day Since Jesus Came Into My Heart by Rufus H. McDaniel 

Thought for the Day

Think about where you might be right now, and what a mess your life would doubtlessly be in if you had not believed the true truth of the gospel and if you had not experienced the divine influence upon the heart.  No matter how depressed you may be at this moment, the reality of this truth should bring you joy and should cause you to smile (at least out of one side of your mouth).

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 2

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 2

1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel…”

           Public worship in ancient Israel has left us an ancient landmark of musicing to God.  Although I could spend the next month talking about the significance of this use of music in public worship, I will try to just touch on one main aspect of this public worship.  The simple point of this devotional today is that the Levite musicians were appointed to systematically lead the people in worship by recording, thanking and praising.

          Christian musicians would do well to pattern their musicing unto God after this ancient example of music in public worship.  First, their musicing caused the people to record (zakar 2142) –to remember what God had done for them.  Second, some of the musicians were appointed to cause the worshipers to thank (yada 3034)—to revere YHVH God without-stretched hands.  Third, others were set apart to lead the people in musical praise (halal 1984)—to make a show or boast in the Lord.  Remember that in ancient public in Israel, the people were led systematically by the worship music.  They remembered, then revered with physical response and then they were led in the public act of praise.

Thought for the Day

Sometimes worship leaders attempt to get a congregation to enter into praise without following the Bible pattern of worship which includes remembering how God has lifted them from the “miry clay”— and then expressing thanks for what God has done—then praising Him.

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 1

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship part 1

          1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals…”

          In this chapter David brought the ark of God to the tent.  This ark was a symbol of the manifest presence of YHVH.  Mathew Henry said that, “This chapter concludes that great affair of the settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement of the public worship of God during the reign of David.”  The establishment of Public worship in ancient Israel included both instrumental and vocal music.

Thought for the Day

Some Christian musicians do not believe that the OT examples of worship are no longer valuable or profitable to 21^st century worship.  I wonder what they do with 2 Timothy 3:16?

I’m a Servant Who Has Been Forgiven

I’m a Servant Who Has Been Forgiven

Ephesians 2:1-9, “And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world… we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:-- but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.” ASV

          The portions of verses one through nine quoted above explain to all Christian musicians who we were and who we now are through God’s love and grace.  We were dead and are now alive because Christ has forgiven us from trespasses and sins.  This has become a reality in our lives because Christ has saved us by His grace.   The phrase” the course (aion 165) of this world (kosmos 2889)” used in verse two makes it clear that we were all bound to the system of this word and therefore were slaves to “doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind”.

          No one is capable of breaking the power of sin without the grace of God being applied to his or heart.  This freedom from being a slave to trespassing against God and is “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.”  Being made free from the grip of sin is truly a divine work wrot upon the heart ad life of the Christian musician.  From my personal experience I know that I was dead in trespasses and sins and that I only have forgiveness and freedom from the power because of the unmerited favor of Christ Jesus.  Therefore, I do not have anything to brag about when it comes to who I was when Christ found me under the bondage and load of sin.  I have given up the sense of ownership of my life and my musicing because am Christ’s servant and as a servant I have responsibilities rather than rights.

Thought for the Day

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Song for the Day  I believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary by William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither and Dale Oldham

Does the mode make a Difference?

Does the mode make a Difference?

It is commonly known that Plato and Aristotle et.al. believed that music had great power and this power included the ability to influence ethical behavior, character, and even the morals of an individual.  If this ancient Greek hypothesis is true (and I believe that it is) what instrumental music can represent or refer to is vitally important to every Christian musician. When a Christian musician reads the works of Plato and Aristotle he or she must understand that when they refer to god, they are not referring to the mono-theistic God of the Judeo-Christian tradition.  This does not prohibit the Christian music philosopher from learning from these ancient music philosopher’s thoughts.

We also know that both Plato and Aristotle believed that the various musical modes had virtues and meanings, so to put it simply, they were concerned about the understandable musical meaning that referred to extra musical meaning caused by the sounds of instrumental music without words.  Note that the ancient Greeks believed that the music part of instrumental music had great power.  Furthermore, they believed that musicians needed to understand the effect that a musical mode (scale) would have on the listener because every mode represented something that, because of the arrangement, sound and organization of the scale, would have a positive or negative effect on the hearer.  Although ancient Greek music philosophers did not always agree about the effects of the sounds of various musical modes and musical instruments, they did agree that the sounds produced had either a positive or negative effect on the listener. (See translations of The Republic, Politics and Poetics). 

Thought for the Day

Every Christian musician who has astutely observed what music can do to an audience should be skeptical of the view that “music can say absolutely nothing”.

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship

1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals…”

          In this chapter David brought the ark of God to the tent.  This ark was a symbol of the manifest presence of YHVH.  Mathew Henry said that, “This chapter concludes that great affair of the settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement of the public worship of God during the reign of David.”  The establishment of Public worship in ancient Israel included both instrumental and vocal music.

           Public worship in ancient Israel has left us an ancient landmark of musicing to God.  Although I could spend the next month talking about the significance of this use of music in public worship, I will try to just touch on one main aspect of this public worship.  The simple point of this devotional today is that the Levite musicians were appointed to systematically lead the people in worship by recording, thanking and praising.

          Christian musicians would do well to pattern their musicing unto God after this ancient example of music in public worship.  First, their musicing caused the people to record (zakar 2142) –to remember what God had done for them.  Second, some of the musicians were appointed to cause the worshipers to thank (yada 3034)—to revere YHVH God without-stretched hands.  Third, others were set apart to lead the people in musical praise (halal 1984)—to make a show or boast in the Lord.  Remember that in ancient public in Israel, the people were led systematically by the worship music.  They remembered, then revered with physical response and then they were led in the public act of praise.

Prayer for the Day

This is truly a day that You have provided for us Lord.  I confess to You that when I talk to you I complain much more than I praise.  Thank You Lord for delivering me out of the horrible pit of sin and musical noise and putting a new song of renovated character in my mouth.  Lord I lift up my hands and my thoughts to extol You for all You have done and for who You are.  I praise your name because You are mighty to deliver and You are also slow to anger with me.  Please accept my feeble words of praise and my song about Your everlasting love.  This I pray to You.  Amen.

Song for the Day  “Praise Him, Praise Him” by Fanny Crosby

Upright Musicians

Upright Musicians

Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” 

          Some people try to tell Christian musicians that they cannot live an upright life in this sinful world.  The inspired account of the life of Job declares that he was “perfect and upright”.  The word tam (8535) which is translated perfect in this verse means to be complete morally.  Also, the word yashar (3477) translated in the same verse as upright means straight or with equity.  I have always wondered that if in the Old Testament dispensation men lived straight and morally complete before God, why would anyone believe that it is impossible in the 21^st century.

          So, Christian musicians need to live carefully in this present world. In Leviticus   11:45 God said to the children of Israel, “For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”  The same command is written in 1Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.”  Some churchmen tell us that we must live a defeated Christian life but the Bible would not tell us to live a holy life if it was impossible.  So take courage Christian musician, God’s grace is sufficient to sustain and keep you each day of your life!

Prayer for the Day

Oh God, let me so live in such a way that I although I may be found blameless before you,  Lord I am far from being perfect as men look on perfection, but You have promised that I can be without moral blame before You.  I love you Lord and I desire that my life may be pleasing in your sight.  Thank You for your goodness to me.  This I am praying in Your strong and mighty name.  Amen.

Song for the Day  "Oh, Make Me Clean!" by George W. Bennard

Take Advice from God Who Does Not Slumber or Sleep

Take Advice from God Who Does Not Slumber or Sleep

Psalm 121:1-3, “A Song of degrees.  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

          I am drawn to the Psalmist’s words “I will lift up mine eyes…”  I have been around several people in my life time that did almost everything else when trouble came, but they did not lift up their eyes.  As a matter of fact they seemed to be looking down most of the time, and when they weren’t looking down they were looking around at others. 

          The Psalmist, under Divine inspiration, teaches those that love and serve YHVH to look up to the self-existent eternal God who is. Which way are you looking?  Do you have your eyes focused unto the hills or are they focused on the muck and filth of this world.  When trouble comes do you looking up where your help comes from or are you looking at those who never say anything good about anyone.  Te psalmist said very clearly, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth…”  I suggest that you take advice from the only sure source of help from God because, “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved…”

Prayer for the Day

Lord I am coming to you with confidence because You do not go to sleep while I am talking to You.  Thank You for promising that You will not allow Satan or anyone else to move my foot or any part of me for that matter.  I am asking you to help me to look up at the hills that You have made that are there as a reminder to all of your Christian musicians that real help comes from You who created them.  Help me to realize that You have strength for me to meet whatever troubles may face me today.  I want to thank You in advance that you will also take care of me tomorrow.  This I pray with confidence today.  Amen.

Song for the Day  “He Watching over Israel” by Felix Mendelssohn