An Analogy for Music in Worship

February 19th, 2010

A father lovingly gave his child a small set of toy blocks to play with. The father’s intention was to teach the child how to be creative with the blocks, but more importantly he wanted to strengthen their relationship through the learning process. However, the child didn’t want instruction and averted the father’s attempts to instruct him on how the blocks would be best used. The child spent all of his time with the blocks that he had been given without his father. Since the main purpose of giving the blocks was to build the relationship, this grieved the father. Their relationship did not become distant as a result, but the blocks did not bring them closer together as the father wanted them to.

As the child became very good at building things with the blocks he had been given, the father decided that he was ready to have more blocks that would increase the child’s potential to be creative. But when the father gave the child the new blocks, the child decided that they were too complicated and went back to the blocks he had been given before. By this time, the child had exhausted all possibilities with the old blocks and was beginning to build the same things with them over and over again. He thwarted every attempt the father made to teach the child how to use the new blocks and chose mindless repetition over learning anything new.

God is very creative, and wants us to be as well. But the purpose for our creativity is to strengthen our relationship with him. Listening to and creating music should always be an act of building our relationship, but it often becomes a redundant routine of mindless repetition. Therefore, I believe we should always be challenging ourselves to be more creative each time we listen to or create music, and ask for God’s wisdom and guidance throughout the creative process so that our artistic endeavors will be focused on the purpose of getting to know God better. Thoughtless repetition will not help you worship God or get to know him in new ways. Progressing in knowledge and depth of insight will give you a fresh perspective on who God is and how we can love and worship Him more deeply.

Anything you do that isn’t strengthening your relationship with God is useless fluff in your life. Get rid of it.

_________________________

Psalm 33:3, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”

Psalm 40:3, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.”

Psalm 96:1, “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.”

Psalm 98:1, “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

Psalm 144:9, “I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you…”

Psalm 149:1, “Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.“

Posted in Faith | 6 Comments »

Trust

February 4th, 2010

I firmly believe that without drastic cultural reformation the classical world is going to all but disappear within my lifetime, becoming a part of history rather than a living and breathing component of society. The few living composers that will be left will be affectionately viewed as a living remnant of this history, much like many other small groups of people whose traditions have been preserved out of some sentimental obligation. So either I will be lucky enough to be part of that remnant (which will be a matter of luck and not skill), I will have to support my family by some other means that has nothing to do with what I have spent my life becoming, or my colleagues and I will have to change the current path of apathy that our culture is stubbornly heading down.

It is very tempting to think that I have to choose one of these paths. However, each choice is dependent upon circumstances which are not yet upon me. To pursue one path over another when it is impossible to obtain the information required to make an informed decision is foolishness. So then, what should my actions consist of during this time of my life? This may seem like a difficult question, but it is really quite simple:

Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Proverbs 20:24, “A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?”

Jeremiah 10:23, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

Mathew 6:25-27, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Ecclesiastes 11:10, “So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.”

1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

(All translations are from the NIV)

We have no control over our earthly destiny. All we can do is live our lives day by day and strive to be like Christ. We have control over our actions, thoughts, and intentions but nothing else. The world is moving around us without our approval, and it will never do what we want it to. So depend on God.

I am attempting to change the world’s attitude towards great art, but I must do this through daily life while trusting God with the end goal. I hope to make a specific difference fully knowing that God has other intentions for my work. I would encourage others to view their work in the same way.

Keeping in mind my attempts to change the world through daily life while knowing that God’s intentions for my good intentions are greater than my intention for my good intentions, this week I suggest you buy John Mackey’s “Red Line Tango”. I promise that you will not be disappointed with this intense work of genius by this composer in his late 30’s. It’s only $0.99 and you might be able to find it in your library, so it would be foolish to not listen to it.

Click here to view Mackey’s notes on the work.

Posted in Faith, Thought | 4 Comments »

What Should Believers Do With Secular Art?

January 28th, 2010

In the past I’ve heard people say that we Christians should eliminate any sources of entertainment in our lives that are not of a profound spiritual nature. That somehow all of the art we consume has to be holy and set apart to glorify God and all other art should simply be dismissed. Also, in the dark past of recent Christian history even certain sounds themselves were considered unfit for worship in the church. The drum set has been (and rare cases still is) an instrument of the devil and having the beat on two and four causes a raging desire for unholy pleasures (if you know what I mean). This detail in particular offends me deeply since playing drum set is one of the primary ways in which I worship my Savior.

Since I’m dealing with extremes, I should probably shed light on the opposite end of the spectrum: Since the earth and everything in it is the Lord’s, he has the ability to redeem anything. This must include art. So people take that to mean that if they are believers, they can consume any art they want and so long as they are using the experience to learn about God.

Both of these extremes are equally dangerous. The former because to consider any human art as incapable of being corrupted is itself a clear demonstration of pride (the most satanic and destructive sin of all). Similarly, it is shameful for a man to think he has the authority to label anything or anyone unfit for the kingdom of God. It’s God’s call, not ours. It is also dangerous because this view makes accusations based on a lack of cultural familiarity and not the word of God. The drum set and the guitar are intimate parts of our culture, and to condemn the objects themselves without clear biblical grounds means that we (not God) condemn the culture we do life in. Not to mention that this is a sick and twisted materialistic view of holiness. Holiness comes from our hearts, minds, and lives, not the tools we use to show admiration to God.

The other extreme is dangerous because Satan uses very subtle ways of getting us to stray from our faith, and one tool he’s very fond of is beauty out of its proper context. Dance is a wonderful artistic tool, but it can be used in a pornographic way very easily and subtly (I define pornography as anything meant to awaken sexual desire outside of it’s proper context). It can be very easy for a man (or woman really) to justify consuming such art by saying that they are admiring a well crafted and beautiful presentation that has no obvious sexual reference. Yet they know that watching is encouraging them to fall into lust. The principal in this example applies to everything. If you’re reaction to a work of art is sin, or the art has the intent of tempting us rebel against God then don’t consume it. At the same time, don’t instinctively condemn art because you’re reaction to it is sin because it may be you that is the problem and not the art.

So then, there is no clear line of right and wrong when it comes to entertainment. There are some things that can be labeled as a clear attack on the moral principals that guide us in our daily lives, but most secular art is not that simple. Use the good judgement that God gave you. Don’t listen to things that make you stumble in your walk with Christ, meditate on the things that draw you closer to Him, and don’t consume art you’ve approved for yourself around you weaker brothers and sisters (who you are commanded to love) that can’t handle it.

I would like to end this by justifying and recommending a work of art that is clearly secular. In 1997, The Five Sacred Trees, by John Williams, was released and added to the neglected genre of “Bassoon Concerto”. If you don’t know what a bassoon is, I strongly urge you to purchase this recording and consume it until you are well informed about the beauty of the sound which a bassoon can produce. This work is a beautiful depiction of a very specific component of nature, and it is very easy to use this work to help you marvel at the wonderful creation around you. Ever since I consumed this work, I have not been able to look at a tree without marveling at God’s awesome workmanship. However, it is very possible that some believers have struggled with tree worship and witchcraft in their past. I highly doubt I’ll ever come into contact with someone like this since tree worship has not been common for quite some time, but if a rare exception stumbles upon this work I would strongly recommend that they carefully consider what their reaction might be before they listen to this. I mean this very sincerely, but I also mean it as an example of what I’ve just discussed. Just because one person stumbles into sin because of a work of art doesn’t make the work unholy. It simply means that the person should not be listening to it.

Do purchase and enjoy this work. It is $4.95 on iTunes, and worth every penny. Feel free to give it a rating and write a review as it needs much more attention than it has gotten these 13 years.

Tags: art, bassoon concerto, believer, christian, classical music, entertainment, five sacred trees, holiness, john williams, music, new, sacred, secular, sin, temp, tempation, unholy
Posted in Faith, New music, Thought | 3 Comments »

Meaningful Memories Take Effort

January 21st, 2010

I can’t stop listening to Yoshimatsu’s 3rd symphony. It’s one of the most beautiful and well crafted works I’ve ever heard. It’s a shame that so few people know about it when I know that every single person that reads this would be better for the experience. I suspect that so few are interested because a massive amount of effort is require to enjoy a work like this. We can’t just listen to a symphony, we have to consume it by listening to it, reading the text to discover its intent, listening to it again, inviting our friends to listen to it with us, discussing it with our friends to get something deep and rich out of the experience, and in the end consume it to the point of it becoming a component of our long-term memory. “But Caleb, I’m too busy to do all that.” We do it with popular music all the time, why wouldn’t we want to do it with something that we know to be of a higher level of artistic expression?

Do we not have the time to make rich, meaningful, and enduring long-term memories? Aren’t some things valuable enough to put effort into enjoying? If we’re not willing to do what it takes to make meaningful memories, then we’re just contributing to the apathy of this declining culture.

Be part of the solution and make meaningful memories. I promise you that Yoshimatsu’s 3rd symphony is worth your time and effort. Buy it and consume it.

Please note, popular music is worth your time too. It simply demands a lot less effort. It’s like a great hamburger, but if it’s all you consume you’ll get fat. Take the time and effort to eat some salad and not just taste the dressing. Then invite other people to do the same, because things that go unnoticed will be quickly forgotten.

There’s a very serious spiritual application here too. God’s word takes much more effort to enjoy then a symphony, because it is so much deeper and more rewarding. Not only that, but you can spend a whole lifetime enjoying it and still make meaningful insights into the text. Even a symphony can go stale eventually assuming you’ve consumed it. But God’s word is limitless in its potential to give you rich memories because you are making lasting memories about your relationship with the King of the universe. This, my friends, is worth a lifetime of study.

Make rich memories, because it will make you better no matter what you believe.

Posted in Faith, Thought | No Comments »

"Serious Music" in "Context"

September 28th, 2009

I’m reading through the book of Exodus right now and just read about the construction of the tabernacle (specifically chapter 37). There was a chief artist name Bezalel who was a master artist of every craft involved with building this place of worship. As I’m reading about his work (and longing to see it) the main thing that jumps out at me in the text is the fact that he put massive amounts of thought and time into each individual piece of the tabernacle, and it inspires me to know that such a wonderful artist was serving so many people through the power of God.

I can’t help but be reminded of the meticulous detail that I put into my work in composition. But do I write out of my own selfish ambition, or do I write so that other people can be inspired to do great things for the Giver of all good gifts? I sincerely hope for the latter.

Last weekend (the 19th) I had the incredible opportunity of seeing the Grand Rapids Symphony play Tchaikovsky’s Fourth. Not only that, but I got to sit in the balcony directly above the bass section. Watching the technique of the string players, feeling the power of the brass, being enveloped by the warmth of the woodwinds, and being surprised by interjecting percussion instruments were all transcendent experiences which added up to a very memorable performance. Then I went to church the next morning and heard the “low brow” and “amateur” music of the religious assembly and was moved far more by the worship than any classical work could ever move me. I had to ask the question, “Why did I enjoy the music in church so much more than a front row seat at the symphony?” The answer’s clear isn’t it? Because God is real and he is blessing that music (giving it life) because of the deep and meaningful purpose that it serves. Music outside of the context of serving Christ can’t compare to that of the true and passionate worship of a congregation.

In I Corinthians 1: 27 Paul writes, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” We classical artists tend to take ourselves way too seriously, and therefore way out of context. Yes, we’re very skilled, smart, inspirational, and some of us are very intellectual. But that matters little when it comes to the true purpose of artistic expression; to give life to others by blessing them with our gift. God chooses the foolish things of the world, but very few of us are willing to admit to being the fools we are so that God can use us. If we would all humble ourselves and be willing to become weak (or be honest about our work’s significance) so that God could use us we might actually become, through Christ, a powerful force for good in this world. But since most of us are writing with only our own agenda in mind, the classical world’s work seems to be getting “nullified” more and more by “foolish things” that openly acknowledge music (like everything else) as worthless outside of Christ.

Quality in art is far too subjective to bother analyzing, but it’s really the wrong question anyway. The question we should rather ask is, “What music gives life?” Or rather, “What music blesses me?” And then, “How can I use the life I am given through this art to give life to others?”

Bezalel’s art helped to give life to God’s temple because God gave him the ability to create magnificent art in almost every craft known at that time. It helped inspire God’s people to worship and served a purpose far greater and deeper than the art by itself could ever have done. I sincerely hope that my work is doing this for people, and from the feedback I’ve gotten I suspect that it is. I can’t help but publicly praise God for that!

Pray for me that I can keep the intent of my work on blessing others and on Christ. Also pray that God can influence other composers through me to write with Christ centered intent.

Posted in Faith | 5 Comments »

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