Wind Instruments Were Mentioned in the Bible-part 1

 

Wind Instruments Were Mentioned in the Bible-part 1

They were mentioned in both the OT and the NT. Some were used on secular and sacred occasions.  Some were melodic wind instruments and others were used for signaling purposes.  The only ancient wind instrument that is still used in orthodox Jewish worship today is the shofar.  We also learned that the only ancient wind instrument that God ordered the ancient Jews to make was the chatsotserah. We know more about how it was made than any other instrument mentioned in the Bible.  This chapter attests to the fact that instrumental music was considered important in ancient Israel, and there was most certainly no prohibition against using instrumental music in Temple worship. They were not, of course, all played in the context of temple worship. 

Modern and ancient writers are not in agreement about what most of these looked like or what they sounded like when blown.  The student of music of the Bible is cautioned about trying to be too specific about what they were like or specifically how most of these wind instruments sounded.  The exotic opinions of many writers should be considered with great caution.  Also, some of these supposed wind instruments may not have been melodic instruments, or even musical instruments.  Some of these instruments may have been added to the yearly feasts and may not have been used for worship, but rather for entertainment during these festal days. 

Why Christian Music Education?

 

 

                                              Why Christian Music Education?

         

          Is the Christian school a conviction or a preference?  If a Christian education (CE) is a mere preference then it is not a necessity, and Christian music education (CME) is most certainly not a necessity.  Every parent, Christian school teacher and administrator must know why they and the students are involved in a Christian school.  Although I do not want to be overly simplistic, I can see no reason for Christians to deny their children a Christian education.  As I have pointed out so many times in my writings, the statement in1Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” extends to the education of one’s household.  I furthermore contend that it also pertains to the music education of our own.  Every Christian parent must remember that when Lot chose the well-watered plains of Jordan near Sodom and Gomorrah, he made an excellent choice for his cattle and a poor choice for his children.

Perhaps I should define the terms “educational preference” and “educational conviction”.  Educational preference, as it will be used in this discussion, is defined as a greater liking for one type of school over another.  The term educational conviction is the strong belief that it is the responsibility of Christians to train their own and that this can only be done properly through a Christ centered education in the context of a Christian school. With these definitions the reader can see clearly why many Christians feel convicted that the Christian school is a must.

It is puzzling to me that a number of Christians feel strongly that we must have Bible colleges and Christian universities, but that our children should attend public schools.  Certainly, if our college age young people need a CE, our children who are in the process of making life-long decisions need the shelter and philosophical support of a Christian school.  For these reasons I contend that a CE is a necessity and not merely a preference if our children and young people are going to develop a Christocentric whole-life philosophy.  Anyone who denies the power of a Christian teacher’s long term influence on their students does not understand the philosophical power of teacher/student relationships.

"Ye Shall Be Witnesses"

 "Ye Shall Be Witnesses"

Part of the mission of the church is to be evangelistic and in order to fulfill this mission the music of the church is commissioned to tell the seeker the truth.  It is the truth that God is worthy of worship, but it also true that Romans 3:23 teaches that un-regenerated man is separated from God,  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” and that “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).  Luke told the truth in 12:5 when he said,” But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”  Hebrews 9:22 tells the truth when it states, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”  1John 1:7 gives hope and truth to the seeker, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 

Christ Arose

 

Christ Arose

When I was a boy no one that I had contact with doubted that Christ was real or that He arose from the dead.  I know there were plenty of atheists and agnostics but no one in the little town of Fort Scott Kansas ever got on the KMDO radio talk show, put an article in the Fort Scott Tribune, or ever gave a speech against the reality of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.  Today, we live in a world where people openly doubt the existence and deity of Christ.

          I am strengthened by the true truth of this gospel hymn.  So, let me declare my credo:  Christ was born of a virgin, He was begotten of God, He left the portals of heaven and took on the form of a man, He was tempted like we are—yet without committing any sin, he lived on this earth while he ministered, He suffered, He died on a cross for my sin and the sin of the whole world, He died and rose again and is sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us all.  Hallelujah!

          This hymn is saturated with deep true truth which is backed by the inspired Word of God.  Regardless of what postmodern men tend to believe.  Christ was crucified by cruel unbelieving men and was dead and placed in a tomb and the great stone was sealed.  This hymn declares, “Vainly they watch His bed, vainly they seal the dead.”  However, the story does not end there for it declares, “Death cannot keep his Prey. He tore the bars away.”  This hymn declares the power of Jesus my Savior and my Lord over death, hell, and the grave.  Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever, with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

Thought for the Day

Those who wish to reign with Christ in Heaven must experience His saving and cleansing power in this life.

 

 

Prayer for the Day

Lord I want to be able to reign with Christ when I get to heaven.  Precious Lord in Romans 1:7 and in 1 Corinthians 1:2, You have called us to be saints.  In Revelation 1:6 your word declares, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  Lord I am saying Amen and Amen!  Make me clean and pure so that I may be one of your kings and priests.  Your word is truth.  It is true truth.  Lord you never call us to be something that we cannot be.  So, I am asking You to prepare my heart to be Your sanctuary.  This I ask in Your strong name.  Amen.

 

 

How Well Do You Take Instruction?

How Well Do You Take Instruction?

Proverbs 9:8-10, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” 

          Perhaps a Christian worship leader could take the test presented in Proverbs 9:8-10.  Do you recoil when your pastor gives you instruction?  We are starting a new year and it would be a good idea to purpose in our hearts to develop the habit of listening.  It would also be an excellent idea to make sure that we listen with a good attitude.  Are you wiser because of the advice you have been given or are angry most of the time because no one understands you?  According to Solomon’s advice,  the more knowledge one has of the Holy One the wiser that person will become.  Also, the wisest man that ever lived said that wise men get wiser because they listen.

Be a “Happy Musician”

 

Be a “Happy Musician”

             Psalm 100:1-2 instructs the Christian musician to “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” (NKJV)  Do you ever wonder why the Lord told musicians to be happy?  It must be that we often have trouble rejoicing.  He not only instructed musicians to be joyful but also very explicitly commands them to shout (ruah 7321) out these praises with joy.  I think our all wise heavenly Father wanted us to drown out Satan’s accusing voice by coming into god’s presence with joyful shouts of musical praise.  I know for sure that I cannot hear God’s still small voice (I Kings 19:12) when Satan is whispering “gloom and doom” in both of my ears.

            God also instructed Christians all over the earth (erets 776) to serve Him with gladness.  Strong’s Concordance says that the word simchah (8057) means to serve Jehovah with “blithesomeness or glee, exceeding gladness, joy, mirth, pleasure, rejoice (-ing).”  Wow, I needed that admonition this morning because I got up at 3:30 AM because I couldn’t sleep.  So, I am purposing in my heart to be happy today.  It would be a good idea if you would also decide to be happy in the Lord.

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You heavenly Father that you have given me so many reasons to be happy today.  I want to thank you for my family and for some friends that are really my friends when I need them.  Lord, thank You for being a friend that “sticketh closer than a brother” (Ps.18:24).  This morning I want to also thank You for Your Word that tells us to drown out Satan’s voice by shouting the praises of our God with singing.  While I am thanking You LORD, I want to also thank you for creating music.  These things I am praying in Your wise and wonderful name.  Amen.

Song for the Day-- Praise Him, Praise Him by Fanny Crosby

Thought for the Day

If you feel like shouting today, shout out the praises of our wonderful LORD who is worth of shouting and excitement!

 

 

From East to West

 

From East to West

            Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  “As the east and the west can never meet in one point, but be forever at the same distance from each other, so our sins and their decreed punishment are removed to an eternal distance by his mercy.” (Adam Clarke)  Even my best friends on this earth might have a tendency to bring up my transgressions on occasion, but my precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has removed them in such a way that no matter where I go or what country I am in they are always far from me.

            The words east (mizrach 4217) and west (ma’arab 4628) connote sunrise and sunset.  So when you see the sun shining through your bedroom in the early morning and when you set in your lawn chair and watch the evening sun slip silently beneath the western horizon you will be receiving a mental picture of our loving heavenly father’s love.  He chose to remove our transgressions as far away as the eastern and western horizons.  Since our loving Father has forgiven our’ sins in this great manner, surely we should be able to forgive a friend who has committed a wrong against us.  If we could manage to place wrongs committed against us far apart as the east is from the west, then we wouldn‘t have so much trouble with unforgiveness. 

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You heavenly Father that you have given me so many reasons to be happy today.  I want to thank you for my family and for some friends that are really my friends when I need them.  Lord, thank You for being a friend that “sticketh closer than a brother” (Ps.18:24).  This morning I want to also thank You for Your Word that tells us to drown out Satan’s voice by shouting the praises of our God with singing.  While I am thanking You LORD, I want to also thank you for creating music.  These things I am praying in Your wise and wonderful name.  Amen.

Song for the Day-- Praise Him, Praise Him by Fanny Crosby

Thought for the Day

If you feel like shouting today, shout out the praises of our wonderful LORD who is worth of shouting and excitement!

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 are because of 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.

Christian Musicians Should Think about Music

 

Christian Musicians Should Think about Music

It is not a novel thought that the 21st century Christian musician should be deeply involved in thinking about music. As far back as the Levite musicians in ancient Israel, the Egyptian musicians, the musicians from Sumer, Akkad and Ugarit, Plato, Aristotle, the church fathers such as Aquinas and Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley, to mention only a few, have been greatly concerned about music as is reflected in their writings. 

          A plethora of conflicting books either partially of in entirely written about music philosophy have been written in the last 100 years from a secular perspective.  It is unfortunate that so little has been written about music philosophy from a Bible basis or even from a faith basis.  Most of the books written by Christian musicians that discuss music philosophy have only devoted a portion of their works to a serious study of music philosophy.  It is also most regrettable that Christian authors have for the most part not struggled with many of the major concepts of music philosophy that the secular music philosopher have and are still dealing with in this century.  So, there is much need for current philosophical writings about music from a Bible and faith basis.

 

 

Aesthetics and “Joyful Noise”-part 2

 

Aesthetics and “Joyful Noise”-part 2

          Beauty in music can cause the worshiper, who hears the created

art object, to become more acutely aware of the Creator of the great

art of music. I have personally gone away from worshiping through

music with a heightened awareness of the Creator. I have also left

the concert hall, after hearing the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

perform secular music, with an exalted view of the Creator who so

marvelously created music.

          The beauty of music can cause a crowd to become calm and

quiet before a worship service begins, or set a proper mood at the

time of prayer. Although this function of music could be considered

utilitarian it need not be only practical but also aesthetic. The musically

aware perceive the beauty and import of the music.  Hopefully

music worship should provide enriched, beautiful aural experiences

for the musically aware.