Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 1

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 1

 I have often mentioned in my writing that pastors, parents, and music educators have a responsibility to pass our music values on to the next generation.  This process of attempting to instill the conservative music values in the lives of our children is many times a painful and unsuccessful endeavor.  Although we have a responsibility to share our values with the next generation, we must be sure that we do the right thing in the right way.

It is one thing for pastors, parents, music ministers, and Christian music educators to have strong beliefs concerning music but the passing of the baton to the next generation must be a “civil” process.  Long heated discussions ending in anger and tears seldom get the job done successfully.  Name calling and equating a young person’s musical tastes with their relationship to Jesus Christ is most regrettable. 

Thought for the Day

What is the cause of a lack of communication about music between one generation and another?  Why do young people and their parents often experience a musical generation gap which is often brought about by differences in musical tastes, values, and outlook?   Those of you who are ministering with the great art of sacred music today must remember that the greatest way to bridge the music gap is with genuine heart-felt musicing.  Every generation engages more quickly when they can see and feel that you care deeply about the music.

Music’s Historic Place in Education

Music’s Historic Place in Education 

            Music had an important place in education in the ancient civilizations

of Sumer, Akkad and Egypt. It was also important in ancient

Israel since the time when the first and second books of Chronicles

were written. 1 Chronicles 25 states, “Moreover David and the captains

of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of

Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries,

and with cymbals… So the number of them, with their brethren

that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were

cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight” (verses 1 and 7).

Music education in ancient Israel was the responsibility of the Chief

musicians Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (and their sons and brethren).

            The Hebrew phrase yad ab shiyr (3027 ,01,7892), translated in

verse six as “under the hands of their father for song” in the AV,

means literally that the Levite musical sons studied sacred music under

the hands of their God-fearing fathers who were chief Levite

music directors and music educators. Music education in Israel was

uniquely different than in the cultures of its neighbors. In verse seven

in the AV the Hebrew phrase lamad shiyr JHVH (3925, 7892, 3068),

translated “were instructed in songs of the LORD,” speaks directly to

the fact that the Levite sons received training specifically in sacred

music. It is important to note that the essence of music education in

ancient Israel was preparation for music ministry.

Thought for the Day

Every parent has the responsibility to train their children musically or hire a proxy.

What is Theology?—part 4—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 4—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

          Theological reading, then, is our purpose to read in order to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and practice.  Some popular books, for instance, Rick Warren’s 1995 book Purpose-Driven Church, hardly qualify as a theology book. A pastor who consumes a steady diet of books like this is probably theologically malnourished. I’m sure one could find something theological in Warren’s book; you just have work really hard to find it. Reflection on doctrine or practice is not Warren’s purpose for writing. This is not to denigrate Warren’s book. I have found it helpful on many points. But it is not a theology book in my understanding. But neither does a theology book have to be as dense as John Zizioulas’s Being as Communion (1997).

          So what is a theology book? A theology book is any book whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and/or in practice. The best theology books include both doctrine and practice. I am not sure that our greatest concern is that pastors are not reading theology books. Perhaps a greater concern is that pastors are not reading theology books theologically or at least theologically well. People read theology books like David Platt’s Radical (2010) without thinking much about its implicit teaching about God.

          I believe Radical is a good example of a theology book written for a popular audience while containing significant theological content (some of which should be very problematic for Wesleyans). Many books written for Christians and pastors emphasize the practice without getting much into the doctrine, yet while making huge doctrinal assumptions.  We read theologically well when our thinking conforms to God’s Word and is guided by the Holy Spirit. 

          In summary, pastors, we ought to read theology and we ought to read theologically. Obviously, theology books should be read theologically, but so also should our other reading material. And, pastors should read theology books whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and in practice. For this reason, we should choose our books carefully.

Thoughts for the Day—G. Wolf

          There is much more about reading theology, reading theologically, and reading theologically well in Dr. Fry’s article, but we will stop here before we get in so deep at we drown in his admonishments to do all of the above.  I am concerned that Church musicians and Christian music educators are trying to relate to seeker and saints without the tools to make prescriptive decisions about whether or not the texts of the songs they lead in worship are accurate or not. 

          It is a huge mistake for an educator or a worship leader to continue on his or her musical journey while ignoring theology in the music being presented to congregations or their music organizations in Christian schools, Bible colleges and Universities. Jesus very clearly stated in Matthew 18:6 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”  Theology matters!  Church music matters!  Music that is taught in a Christian school or university matters!  So, once again I am contending that all Christian musicians must know what they believe theologically. 

         

What is Theology?—part 3—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 3—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of  one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

          What counts as theological reading and what counts as reading theology?  A theology book is a book whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and/or in practice. The richest theology books include both doctrine and practice. The most difficult ones deal only with the doctrine; and the shallowest only with practice. Our job as pastor-theologians is to connect the dots between doctrine and practice (theology is both).

          Pastors ought to read theologically as well as read theology. What’s the difference? Theological reading is more about how we read than what we read. For instance, I am currently reading (more like struggling through) a novel by Rick Riordan written for teenagers. Riordan’s novels put ancient mythology into a modern setting. I don’t particularly enjoy the book, but I’m reading it theologically because several teenagers in my church have read it under the guise of pure amusement. I’ve only read one chapter so far and I can affirm that there is plenty of material to provoke theological thinking. Riordan is not claiming to have written a theology book. But, I would argue, if one does not read his writing theologically then one may be unwittingly shaped theologically. On the other hand, if I wanted to read a theology book I would choose something expressly written for that purpose. This is the difference between reading a theology book and reading theologically—we must do both.

          So what counts as reading theology? There is no neat line that can be drawn. Does Riordan’s mythological novel count as theology? Broadly speaking, yes, if we define a theology book as anything book whose content involves God (or the gods, in Riordan’s case). But as pastors that’s rarely our concern. More narrowly, I define (for the time being) a theology book as a book whose express purpose is to shape our thinking about God in doctrine and/or in practice.

Thoughts for the Day—G. Wolf

          Musicians who are reading these posts are probably convinced, at this point, that I have lost my mind. Dr. Fry wrote the original article for pastors and not musicians.  However, I suggest that you do not hold your breath until someone writes this quality of article for Christian musicians.   He was writing about reading theologically as well as reading theology. So, if you will follow my thinking I will attempt to apply some of his thoughts to practicing Christian musicians. 

          Perhaps one should first try to convince musicians that 1) reading is important, 2) that reading theology is important before trying to convince busy ministering musicians to read theologically.  I was struck by the fact that a busy pastor was reading a book theologically because he feared teenagers in his church who had read it had been influenced by Riordan’s novel.  Think about it, how often do you and I read something that the young musicians in our Christian school or our church are reading?  Not only are we ignorant of the things that they are reading about music, we are also willingly ignorant of how these musical writings are shaping their thinking.  How are these writings shaping their musical paradigms?  I confess that I do not often read theologically.

What is Theology?—part 2—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 2—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of his writings have been used here with his permission.

           We are called to equip the saints for ministry. We are not merely to equip them with “practical” know-how, but also the “doctrinal” know-how, that is, why we minister in some ways and not in others. For example, why should or shouldn’t our parishioners engage in inter-faith humanitarian efforts? Or, how is it possible for a dying man to be saved without being baptized?  These are five reasons (among others) why pastors should read occasionally pull a theology book off the shelf and read it.  “I’m too busy to read theology.” 

          There are certain kinds of theology books that pastors are too busy to read. It’s okay to leave those for others and attend occasions where we can receive the condensed version. From time to time I am asked by a fellow pastor to recommend a theology book. Since I am a pastor myself, I am well-acquainted with the time constraints of pastoring. So I have a couple of criteria that I use for making recommendations. I know that most pastors don’t have the time or mental energy to   

read a 700-page theological dissertation so I recommend books that are less than 250 pages and contain chapters with short sub-divisions that can be read in 10-15 minutes. With these two criteria in mind, I will later share some good theological books that fit the bill.

Thoughts for the Day—G. Wolf

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

          When I read Dr. Fry’s statements in part 2, I thought about the fact that I have never been told by anyone that ministers of music are called to “equip the saints for ministry.”  We seem to have a notion that if the saints worship with music that it will automatically prepare them for life and ministry.  I am afraid that we often have more interest in the emotion of music in worship than we are about the theology of our music being a major goal, or any goal, of music in worship.

          Wow, where do I start on ministers of music reading!  We have a difficult time getting them to read about music let alone reading about theology.  The reason is that ministers of music just do not believe that theological study is the slightest bit necessary. 

What is Theology?—part 1—Dr. Fry

What is Theology?—part 1—Dr. Fry

Dr. David Fry holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is the lead pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Frankfort Indiana.  Portions of  one of his writings have been used here with his permission.

          Theology, etymologically, simply means the study of God. But Christian theology is so much more. In a nutshell, theology is something we do, being “less theoretical than it is theatrical.” Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Faith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2014), 20.  While some people’s theology is more pie-in- the-sky, Christian theology is all about down-to-earth living. There are two aspects to Christian theology: doctrine and practice. Doctrine has to do with what we say about God; practice has to do with how that translates into living for God.  Both are essential elements of Christian theology. Doctrine and practice go hand-in- hand in Christian theology. So much so that we might say that one does not truly know his doctrine until he knows how to live it. Kevin Vanhoozer writes, “Church without doctrine to direct it is blind; yet doctrine without the church to embody it is empty.” Ibid. 147. Hypocrisy occurs when there is a disconnect between our doctrine and our practice. This disconnection is something less than God’s will for His followers.

          Thought for the day—G. Wolf

          Ministers of music many time are so caught up in music sequences that follow a theme that the last thing on their minds is a disconnect between doctrine and practice.  As a matter of fact theology is often low on their order of importance list and practice is not even on the list of things to think about when they are planning music for Sunday morning worship. 

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 5

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 5  

          There are some things about David's coming into the presence of king Saul that are worth noting.  It appears that he was not used first as a musician but rather an armor bearer.  Also, it is recorded the David loved the king greatly (vs. 21).  This accomplished musician loved the man he was sent to minister unto and was willing to carry the king's heavy armor.  Later, because of his patience and love, the man behind the harp was able to minister musically to the troubled king.

          Why was David chosen to help the physically, emotionally, and spiritually troubled king?  Why wasn't the prophet (preacher) Samuel called upon for this ministry?  The answer is that God has a special ministry for musicians--a ministry that cannot be performed by any other Christian worker.  We should remember sometimes God chooses to use musicians rather than preachers and that in a true sense Christian musicians are ministers!  Saul's advisors recognized that the kings need required an anointed musician instead of the prophet Samuel.

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 4

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 4

          As was mentioned earlier, Saul's servant informed the king that David was comely or beautiful in appearance.  Likewise, I Samuel 16:12 states that he was ". . .of a beautiful (yapheh 3303)^A countenance" (ayin 5869) or "fair of eyes"  (Cambridge A.V. margin).  The phrase "of a beautiful countenance" gives the sense of a person with beautiful eyes or even more probable a person with a beautiful outward appearance.  As we know, outward appearance was important to Samuel (vs. 7) and to the king's servant (vs. 18), but most important to God was (vs. 7) the "heart."

          Finally the servant reported that Jehovah is with him (vs. 18).  It cannot be stressed too much that the thing that made this musician different was the divine influence or anointing of Jehovah upon the soul of David.  Matthew Henry gave credence to the influence of the anointing of God upon David when he explained, "The anointing of him was not an empty ceremony, but a divine power went along with that instituted sign, and he found himself inwardly advanced in wisdom, and courage, and concern for the public, with all the qualities of a prince, though not at all advanced in his outward circumstances."  Purkizer concurred with the belief that the anointing of David incurred a divine aid and stated that, "The spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward --enduing him with wisdom and power, and giving him guidance toward the fulfillment of God's purpose in his life."

          

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 3

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 3

          We know from the Bible account in I Samuel that both Saul and David received God’s anointing. Saul received the anointing of Jehovah.  I Samuel 10:1 states, "Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his [Saul's] head, and kissed him, and said, It is not because the LORD hath anointed (mashach 4886) thee to be captain over his inheritance?"  Verse six of the same chapter tells us that Saul received a peculiar divine assistance because Samuel stated, ". . . the spirit (7307) of the LORD will come upon thee. . ."

          David also received this peculiar divine influence upon his life.  I Samuel 16:13 states that "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed [4886] him in the midst of his brethren:  and the Spirit (7307) of the LORD came upon David from that day forward."  So, even though Saul and David were both anointed, Saul eventually failed and David became the "man after God's own heart" and the "sweet psalmist of Israel."

          We know that David was chosen to play for Saul because he was a skillful musician.  Now let us look at some other considerations of David's life that caused him to succeed.  In I Samuel 16:18b one of Saul's servants said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite that is cunning in playing [see Chapter I] and a might valiant (chayil 2428)^A man, and a man of war, and prudent (biyn 995) in matters (dabar 1697), and a comely (toar 8389) person, and the LORD is with him."

          So, he was a skillful player, a man of substance or virtue, a military man, and a man who could distinguish mentally in matters of communication or speech (Cambridge A.V. margin).  We know that David was skillful in language and communication from his master works in the Book of Psalms.  Thompson reminds us that "His musical and poetic gifts were great and they were consecrated (as such gifts should be) to the glory of God and to the good of men."

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 2

WHY WAS DAVID SUCCESSFUL? Part 2

          Although David had a beautiful outward appearance and was a pleasant person, he was probably not nearly as tall as Saul (I Sam. 10:23) who was ". . .higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward."  As a matter of fact (I Sam. 16:7), Eliab was probably more like Saul in stature than David and had a good countenance like David.  However, God chose David the musician because of his heart (vs. 7).  Samuel, speaking of David, told King Saul (I Sam. 13:14) "But now thy kingdom shall not continue:  the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart. . ."

          What was the difference between Saul and David?  One writer put it this way.  "Saul was a man's man, David was God's."²  The major difference seemed to be their very different attitudes toward God.  Saul disobeyed God by taking Agag the Amalekite king alive and by saving the best of the animals.  When the prophet Samuel faced him with the problem Saul lied when he said (I Sam. 15:13b) "I have performed the commandment of the LORD."  When the prophet Nathan faced David with his sin of adultery, David replied (II Sam. 12:13) ". . .I have sinned against the LORD."  As we can see, both men faced times of failure in their lives, but it seems that it was the difference in their attitudes that made the difference.