One of the major sticking points in today's churches is in the area of standards, specifically dress and music standards. I would like to clarify my position on the subject of music – both for personal and church use. Please note that while I am not a definitive authority on all music, I have studied music since I was five years of age. Piano, viola and voice lessons as well as courses in music theory and music philosophy have enabled me to form well-founded opinions in this area which I would like to share.
This may seem a strange point to begin with, but the first thing to consider when dealing with music is its worldview. The philosophy behind any piece of music is either humanistic or theistic (Christian). In a nutshell humanism claims that the end of all being is the happiness of man, but Christianity claims that the end of all being is the glory of God. A very good source of information to aid in fully understanding the implications of the humanistic worldview on Christianity and by extension its beliefs (doctrines) and convictions (such as those concerning music and dress) is the old sermon “Ten Shekels and a Shirt” by Paris Reidhead. If time allows, I would strongly advise that this sermon be given a full hearing before continuing through the following points and arguments in order to fully understand the position that is being taken.
The following arguments are based on the belief that the end of all being or the purpose for all being is the Glory of God. These arguments’ Biblical basis consists of 1 Corinthians 10:13, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” Colossians 3:16 and 17, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” and 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” Another basis for these arguments is well-documented scientific data from those who have studied music and its affects.
Certain facts concerning music need to be set down before the arguments can begin.
1) Music has three parts: melody, harmony and rhythm. This is their proper order of importance.
2) Melody directly interacts with the spirit of man; it is the part of music that allows man to commune with God. Melody creates a vertical relationship. Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
3) Harmony interacts with the mind and emotions of man; it is the part of music that allows man to commune with others. Harmony creates a horizontal relationship. Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
4) Rhythm directly interacts with the body of man; it is the part of music that allows man to commune with his own heart and flesh. Rhythm creates an internal relationship. What should be noted is that while rhythm is often considered as being separate from melody and harmony, this is not the case. Rhythm is inherent to melody and harmony; this means that rhythm is present in both without the use of percussion instruments. A spirit and a mind cannot be had without a body, and a body is of no use without the spirit and mind; they are all necessities. However, the spirit and the mind control the body not vice versa. The heart races because the mind has told the body to run, or because the spirit feels fear, etc.; however, if the heart starts racing for no apparent reason then there is a problem because this is neither normal nor healthy. 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
First, let this study of music be approached from a purely scientific point of view with Biblical examples. It is often repeated within Christian circles that the music of a song is unimportant or at least not as important as the lyrics. Modern science disproved this long ago; oddly enough, only the proponents of the CCM movement (Contemporary Christian Music) make this claim – even the world does not believe this to be true, the scientific evidence in this area is too overwhelming.
The bodily response to music is clearly observed: it can cause similar physical reactions in people (Exodus 32:14-19); it can change a person’s mood (1 Samuel 16:23); it has the ability to strengthen or weaken emotions (Psalm 137:1-6, Exodus 15: 1&2).
Rhythm is also an important aspect of music to study when looking at responses to music. There are two responses to rhythm. These responses are hard to separate because they are related, and one of these responses cannot exist without the other. These responses are (1) the actual hearing of the rhythm and (2) the physical response to the rhythm. Rhythm organizes physical movements and is very much related to the human body. For example, the body contains rhythms in the heartbeat, while walking, during breathing, etc. Another example of how rhythm orders movement is an autistic boy who could not tie his shoes. He learned how on the second try when the task of tying his shoes was put to a song. The rhythm helped organize his physical movements in time.
Responses to music are easily detected in the human body. Classical music from the baroque period causes the heart beat and pulse rate to relax to the beat of the music. As the body becomes relaxed and alert, the mind is able to concentrate more easily. Furthermore, baroque music decreases blood pressure and enhances the ability to learn. Music affects the amplitude and frequency of brain waves, which can be measured by an electro-encephalogram. Music also affects breathing rate and electrical resistance of the skin. It has been observed to cause the pupils to dilate, increase blood pressure, and increase the heart rate.
Many revealing scientific experiments, studies, and research projects have been performed to try and discover the extent of the power of music. Up until 1970, most of the research done on music had to do with studying the effects of the beat of the music. It was found that slow music could slow the heartbeat and the breathing rate as well as bring down blood pressure. Faster music was found to speed up these same body measurements.
The key component of music that makes it beneficial is its order. The order of the music from the baroque and classical periods causes the brain to respond in special ways. This order includes repetition and changes, certain patterns of rhythm, and pitch and mood contrasts. One key ingredient to the order of music from the baroque and classical periods is math. This is realized by the body and the human mind performs better when listening to this ordered music. (1 Corinthians 14:40)
One shining example of the power of order in music is King George I of England. King George had problems with memory loss and stress management. He read from the Bible the story of King Saul and recognized that Saul had experienced the same type of problems that he was experiencing. George recognized that Saul overcame his problems by using special music. With this story in mind King George asked George Frederick Handel to write some special music for him that would help him in the same way that music helped Saul. Handel wrote his Water Music for this purpose. (http://healingmusicenterprises.com/surgery_blog/)
Another key to the order in music is the music being the same and different. The brain works by looking at different pieces of information and deciding if they are different or the same. This is done in music of the baroque and classical periods by playing a theme and then repeating or changing the theme. The repetition is only done once. More than one repetition causes the music to become displeasing, and also causes a person to either enter a state of sub-conscious thinking or a state of anger. Dr. Ballam goes on to say that, "The human mind shuts down after three or four repetitions of a rhythm, or a melody, or a harmonic progression." Furthermore, excessive repetition causes people to release control of their thoughts. Rhythmic repetition is used by people who are trying to push certain ethics in their music. (Matthew 6:7)
An Australian physician and psychiatrist, Dr. John Diamond, found a direct link between muscle strength/weakness and music. He discovered that all of the muscles in the entire body go weak when subjected to the "stopped anapestic beat" of music from hard rock musicians, including Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Queen, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Bachman - Turner Overdrive, and The Band. Dr. Diamond found another effect of the anapestic beat. He called it a "switching" of the brain. Dr. Diamond said this switching occurs when the actual symmetry between both of the cerebral hemispheres is destroyed causing alarm in the body along with lessened work performance, learning and behaviour problems in children, and a "general malaise in adults." In addition to harmful, irregular beats in rock music, shrill frequencies prove to also be harmful to the body. Bob Larson, a Christian minister and former rock musician, remembers that in the 70's teens would bring raw eggs to a rock concert and put them on the front of the stage. The eggs would be hard boiled by the music before the end of the concert and could be eaten. Dr. Earl W. Flosdorf and Dr. Leslie A. Chambers showed that proteins in a liquid medium were coagulated when subjected to piercing high-pitched sounds.
One cannot deny the power of music. High school students who study music have higher grade point averages that those who don't. These students also develop faster physically. Student listening skills are also improved through music education. The top three schools in America all place a great emphasis on music and the arts. Hungary, Japan, and the Netherlands, the top three academic countries in the world, all place a great emphasis on music education and participation in music. The top engineers from Silicon Valley are all musicians. Napoleon understood the enormous power of music. He summed it up by saying, "Give me control over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws".
Now that both the positive and negative effects of music have been studied from a scientific perspective, it is time to look at these same effects from a Christian perspective remembering that “the end of all being is the Glory of God” and 1 Corinthians 10:13, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” and 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
Music used to its full extent falls under the categories of “word and deed” (lyrics and music) as described in the aforementioned verses. Therefore, its purpose and the purpose of those Christians who use it should be to glorify God in a way that is pleasing to Him not the flesh. Remember Romans 12:1&2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
One of the common identifiers of music from the CCM Movement is its musical equality to that of Pop, Rock and Rap music. In word at least CCM is supposed to be music written to glorify God; however, if the lyrics are removed, there is no difference between CCM and Pop, Rock and Rap music. Rock and Rap both contain the damaging “stopped anapestic beat” that is detrimental to mental and physical health as described in the previous scientific argument. Pop music may have some pretty vocals, but it is very much driven by the rhythm. Since rhythm is directly related to the body, then it should be used to glorify God as well, 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” CCM, because of the use of strong rhythms like those of Pop music, changes the proper order of music from being melodically driven (communing with God) to being rhythmically driven (communing with self). Due to scientific evidence we know that music has the ability to cause physical reactions, change moods and control emotions. This is a purely musical aspect that does not touch on the lyrics at all – those will be dealt with shortly.
Should the above musical evidence be ignored, there is still a strong case against the lyrics of the music of the CCM Movement. The purpose of Christian music should be to glorify God. CCM is rife with the use of the pronouns He (supposedly referring to God yet not saying any of His names for most of if not the entire song) and I (focusing on the feelings and deeds of the singer). It should not be said that these should never be used – that is ridiculous as well as essentially impossible. However, a song should clearly state the name of Who is being praised. Such songs as “You Raise Me Up” and “The Prayer” that are commonly sung in churches are so androgynous that while one can assume from the descriptions given in the song that the songs are about God, it is not something of which one can be sure. Also a song glorifying God should glorify Him more for who He is, not focus so much on what “I will do, I am, I feel, I praise, etc.” without explaining the “why” behind it. The Psalms give excellent examples of how lyrics should be written since the Psalms are songs that were and are sung to glorify God along with hymns and spiritual songs. Another key ingredient in most CCM is its repetition of words that Jesus warns of in Matthew 6:7, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Christian songs are supposed to be prayers set to music.
The sad truth of the CCM Movement is that as 1 John 3:18 warns it gives glory only in word and tongue to God. Its deeds are not done to glorify Him. By using music that cannot be differentiated from that of the world and lyrics that are frequently self-centred and unclear, the CCM Movement has fallen into a category described by Jesus in Matthew 15:8, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
It is often said that sincerity is what matters – what is intended or the reason for doing something is what is important. However, it is like giving someone who does not like chocolate (and it is known that they do not like it) a big box of chocolates for their birthday because that is what the giver likes. The receiver may appreciate the gesture although the gift itself is not pleasing. But what a difference it makes if the receiver is given something that they like or have desired. This can clearly be seen from the beginning of the Bible with the sacrifices of Cain and Abel. Abel gave God what he desired, but Cain gave God what he personally liked and valued. Abel’s gift was accepted. Cain’s was not. The rest is history.
How can anyone know what God’s preference in music is? It is a matter of the simple application of Scriptural concepts to knowledge.
1) There is a particular order to music that reflects the order of the human being: melody – spirit, harmony – mind and emotions, rhythm – body. Throughout His Word God has given the proper order of importance to these three areas that make up a human. Since it correlates so clearly with music, this order should be applied to the Christian’s selection of music.
2) Since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit the Christian is to care for this body by avoiding things that are known to be harmful from cigarettes and alcohol to Rock music or any music that uses a stopped anapestic beat.
3) The Christian is to Glorify God in every word and deed as well as in his body. Romans 8:6-13; 12:1&2; 1 Corinthians 6:19&20; 9:27; 10:13; Colossians 3:17; Romans 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 2:20
Essentially, for the Christian, music can be divided into three categories as described by the acronym P.E.G.
P – Profitable: music that is pleasing to God because it glorifies Him and follows His
precepts and natural laws, music that in no way lifts up or gives place for the flesh,
music that edifies the temple of the Holy Spirit.
E – Empty: music that while not bad, is not profitable to God or the Christian whose
body is His temple because it does not clearly glorify God or because it glorifies man.
G – Garbage: music that is physically and mentally harmful to the listener and thus to
the temple of God, music with blasphemous or crude lyrics.
This knowledge of music and God’s Will also leads to other applications. If music is only Profitable, Empty or Garbage then what should the Christian choose to listen? The obvious answer is that music which is profitable to God, and if as 1 Corinthians 10:13 states we should “do all to the glory of God” that means that Empty or Garbage music are completely ruled out as well – there is no place for them in a life that glorifies God. Unfortunately, most of the music of the CCM Movement that is not Garbage because of its use of harmful rhythms falls under the category of Empty because it does not follow God’s order for music and/or uses lyrics that are unclear, man-honouring or repetitive. This may not be the case across the board, but within the CCM Movement most music does NOT fall within the category of Profitable. Since this is the case then CCM music has no place in the church or the Christian’s private listening life as it does not fulfill the command in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
On the bright side, this does not mean that all Christian music that has been written “contemporarily” (recently) is a part of the CCM Movement. A treasure trove of Conservative Christian Music has been written in recent years. Conservative Christian Music meaning music that is written to actively glorify God in every possible area; it is music that follows God’s natural order, that focuses on the greatness of God not the words and actions of man and that brings edifying mental and physical changes to the hearer. Many of those within the Conservative Christian Music ministry were formerly a part of the CCM Movement and have written books and put together material to teach people how to recognize and use God-glorifying music as well as to notify others of the problems and dangers of the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) Movement.
To name people specifically, Frank Garlock has done more to teach what God-honouring music is than anyone in known memory. His Language of Music DVD series teaches the identifying points of music that glorify God and the differences between types of music using both secular and Christian sources. Dan Lucarini is a former “worship” leader who left the CCM Movement, and his books clearly state his reasons. Their materials as well as a wealth of Christian music can be found at http://www.majestymusic.com/default.aspx This ministry’s special focus on children’s materials such as the Patch the Pirate series has helped to raise a generation of children in Christian homes and to instil them with Christian morals and an appreciation of God-honouring music. There are many other places to find conservative Christian music that glorifies God such as:
... and the list can go on and on.
There are also some wonderful online radio stations such as:
... and there are many more.
In conclusion, the kind of music to which a Christian listens is vitally important since it makes up a substantial part of the fulfillment of the command found in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” However, at the end of the day it is a decision that each Christian has to make individually based on knowledge and its application. The Christian must choose for himself to die to the flesh and follow the application of God’s precepts (Luke 9:23) – this is why the application of such precepts are called personal convictions. Convictions are an outward manifestation of an inward submission to the teachings of God’s Word. Due to their personal nature, convictions are not something a person can be forced to intimately accept; however, convictions can and should be taught as a way for Christians to increase in wisdom Proverbs 1:5a, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.” When dealing with the area of music, A Christian must ask himself if he is willing to give up some of his preferences in order to be certain he is glorifying God “in all things.” This is not a matter of appearances or vainglory. It is a matter of desiring God’s glory before our own happiness and of being refreshingly different in this world, Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
1 John 5:1-5
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Addendum:
Please, to whoever may read this, study it out for yourself. I still have a great deal to learn myself on this subject. There is a lot more excellent material out there that can clarify any doubts that may still linger in your mind.
