Scarcely a Sunday goes by where I do not have two pages of notes for the sermon. One, a giant slash recall of the sermon itself, and the other, my thoughts. The exposition of the Word not only brings together scriptural passages in my mind, but suddenly everything I have been thinking on makes sense.
Music has been an area of thought recently. I have always understood that Christians are to take dominion of the music by composing, arranging, and inventing. But today was the first day it occurred to be that we are also cast off the imaginations of the world, or rather bring not only our music, but the whole world’s under the submission of Christ’s law. The Word describes the purpose of music as, to praise of God, and to root and ground Christians in the faith. Therefore, when people hear our music, it must:
- Sound and say nothing like the world’s music
- Remind the listener of the majesty of God and our incapability
- Express and encourage the worship of God, not our emotions
- Root and ground the listener in good theology. The modern practice of repeating one simple phrase for the entire three minute song simply doesn’t cut it.
- Contain a proper musical resolution in the key specified
- Turn our thoughts to God and His Word
- Be multi-generational friendly
What music we listen to is important because it works its way into our attitudes, our clothing, and our purpose. There are numerous examples of “good” children who have been ruined mentally due to listening to the wrong music. Music has a way of entering us without going through our minds. We must take all caution then, because it is much easier to accept wrong thinking if it is sung than if it were bluntly told to you.
-Jewel
Diem declectare, Dieu laudes decorare
