The main goal of music in Scripture is to express a response to God, not generate a response to God. Biblical music is more than anything else a response to God's grace. It is most often a response of gratitude for what God has done. Exodus 15 is the song of Moses, praising God for saving Israel from Pharaoh. Judges 5 is the song of Deborah and Barak, where they praise God for saving Israel from Jabin, the king of Canaan. Over and over people of God break out into song to thank Him for His goodness, grace, and mercy.
The Bible records other purposes in music, such as prayer (supplication), teaching (Col. 3:16), a language between believers (Eph. 5:19), and even mourning. Music is used throughout Scripture. Sometimes it is a celebration. Sometimes it is a sin (when they celebrate something they shouldn't.) God often threatens to remove it as a consequence of sin. Solomon warns that it is foolish to sing joyful songs to someone who isn't joyful (Prov. 25:20).
You'll find, in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, that music will be a very real part of heaven. It appears that, despite the arguments to the contrary, that God is a real music fan.
And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." (Rev. 5:8-10)Music has been around, biblically, as early as Jubal (Gen. 4:21), an inventor of musical instruments. There are a host of instruments listed, including the harp, lyre, timbrel, trumpet, and horn. The most common instrument, of course, is the human voice. All of these and more are mentioned as musical methods of communication.
And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had come off victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses the bond-servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; For all the nations will come and worship before Thee, For Thy righteous acts have been revealed." (Rev. 15:2-4)
So what kind of music does God prefer? "Obviously it's organ music. Everyone knows that" ... except that organs weren't invented until somewhere around 3 BC and not put into use in the Church until somewhere around the 15th century. "Vocal music, of course; the church is no place for instruments." That's problematic when Scripture lists so many instruments in use to praise God. "Well, whatever it is, it has to be melodious." Maybe ... but Psalm 150 really doesn't make it sound melodious.
Praise the LORD!With all due respect to the older generation, that really doesn't sound like subdued, melodic music. It sounds like a cacophony of praise to me.
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
I'm not sure you'll be able to find a style of music that the Bible deems acceptable. I think you can find unacceptable forms of music. Music that draws attention away from the God to whom it is offered is obviously not going to make it. Music that breeds attitudes and emotions that is contrary to the biblical purpose of music shouldn't be in church. Music that is intended to cause a response rather than be one shouldn't be part of our worship. These forms of music aren't inherently evil; they just have no place in church worship. And maybe, just maybe, those who decide what music is going to be used ought to take into account what the Bible says music should be used for. "Making people feel good toward God" is not on the list. Perhaps there are things here to think about?
5 comments:
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
I'm wondering about the difference between music as an aspect of worship and music in other contexts. Obviously we use music for a host of reasons.
One thing you mention that is, I think, important - music as worship is not about generating a response in a person - but is, itself, a response. Nonetheless, it strikes me that part of the reason for the contention around this topic is that all music - even that which is a response - also can very deeply and strongly create a response in hearers and participants.
It is not easy to segregate the two - and the fact that music can affect us so emotionally often makes it a hot button issue. In fact, I suspect that what most of us regard as praise, as a spiritual experience, etc. is regarded in this way not because of itself but because of how it makes us feel.
There is nothing wrong with being emotionally engaged in worship - in fact it is necessary - 'my heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God'. But it is also tempting to equate what affects me emotionally with the spiritual - and to fail to see or honestly name why things affect me on a deep emotional and person level in the ways that they do.)
Oh, I think you're absolutely right. How music is used in worship is different than other applications. And "other applications" leaves room for a much larger range of styles and intents.
The ability of music to bypass the brain and go directly to the emotions is both a blessing and a curse, a value and a danger. The question is how we use it. When we intentionally use music in worship for the purpose of manipulating responses, I think that's a problem. I think that those who use music in worship have a high degree of responsibility in monitoring themselves, their intent, and their usage.
amen.
One issue here is the ability of music to manipulate - and that is NEVER a Christian option. But it is so easy to do (even not entirely consciously) - and so easy to be emotionally manipulated.
This post is a very helpful survey of key issues and scriptures, which has been helpful for me as I personally find a lot of church music a distraction from God - whereas I know that others alongside me find the very same music edifying and the perfect vehicle for expressing their worship to God.
that hideous man - Funny how that works. I have to agree. What I find a distraction others do not. (I suspect a large measure of tolerance is called for - as long as the music is not in itself (e.g. in what it says) contrary to biblical Christianity.)
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