Speaking of history. I was reading a book this week called Church Music published in 1935 by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was written by Isham E. Reynolds. He was the first Director of the School of Music at Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth. The insights were interesting as he discusses how music has always had an important part in all religious worship. The character or style of the music depended largely on the cultural development of the people using it.
That hasn't changed. Every church is different, much like every family is different. I tell couples in pre-marital counseling all the time that they are bringing two sub-cultures together in a marriage as each of their families are different. That is why music is perceived and used differently in every church.
Music in the Christian faith is different than all other religions. First it is a singing religion. It is a means of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and exalting the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Andrew Law said, "Theology and music move on hand in hand into time and will continue eternally to illustrate, embellish, enforce, impress and fix in the mind the grand and great truth of Christianity."
Early believers emphasized music in their churches realizing the power of music proven throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Others also recognized the importance and power of music. Plato said, "Music was not given men with the sole view of pleasing their senses, but rather for appeasing the troubles of their souls." Bach said, "Its final purpose is none other than this, that it ministers solely to the honor of God and refreshment of the spirit, whereof, if one take not heed it is no proper music, but devilish din and discord." Handel said of the inspiration in composing The Hallelujah Chorus in The Messiah, "I did think that I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself."
Not only does it feed our worship but we've also seen the worth and power of music in winning the lost to faith in Christ. We need to seek to continue under God's hand to cherish and cultivate the use of music in the church bringing peace, joy, and fulfillment to the church and to those outside the church. mjm
