Music: The divine and secular.
What I hope to present here is my perspective on music in general; more specifically, why we have music and the influence it can have in our lives. Unlike many things in life music is not something I see as a neutral. I will develop why I believe this to be true. As someone who has a degree in music, has played an instrument for over 23 years, and as listened to and sang music for as long as I can remember, I have thought deeply about this matter. I wish the reader of this to do the same.
The first thing I would like to establish is that music is eternal. It has been before the world began and will continue to be after it is gone. In the book of Job chapter 38 verses 6 and 7 God asks Job about the creation of the world: “On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone–while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” I do not think it much of a stretch to say that music was part of or active at the creation of the world. Then, in Revelation there are numerous accounts of music being used in heaven to worship. I think it is plausible to say that music is eternal. Moreover, if music is eternally used to worship God, then it is reasonable to assume that Satan would want to be worshiped with music.
Now, a question can be proposed about this that is difficult for me to answer concretely. If both God and Satan are worshiped with music, is all music worship to one or the other? What about the music that is not written to explicitly to worship either God or Satan? Or another way of stating the question–is all music of eternal consequence? Is there some that glorifies neither? I am not sure I can answer completely. But again, my purpose here is to get us to think about the influence of music in our lives.
At this point in my life I would say that music is either for God or not. I say this because, honestly, I am easily influenced. Being a musician and lover of music I listen to music and lyrics over and over. My experience tells me that I am easily programmed by music. I am easily influenced by music and can even begin to model in my daily life what is being sung. A counselor once told me that music bypasses rational thought and taps into our limbic (primitive) brains. You ever heard a song not heard in years and been transported to an earlier time and place? It is that kind of thing.
Now I realize that not everyone is like me in regards to music and it being influential in everyday life. Some people do not even pay attention to lyrics and like the beat and the instrumental work. I appreciate that. But let us once again turn our focus to the music that does not seem to overtly glorify God or Satan.
Country music is often stereotyped with married partners being cheated on and honky tonkin’. One more recent country song “Stay” sung by Sugarland is about the out of wedlock lover longing for a married man to leave the marriage and be with her. View the lyrics here http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/sugarland/stay-18495.html It is undoubtedly a powerful and emotive song. It points to a reality that happens in our culture. It is a convincing outpouring of disparateness. Is this a good influence? I say no. I suppose someone could say “hey, if you are thinking of having an affair, listen to this song. This may be how you end up. Is this what you want in your life?” However, I daresay that the targeted audience is women who are in or have been in this situation. In either case it would could validate the feelings of someone in an affair or drag someone back into feelings left behind. I guess I am saying listener beware.
Rock music is no different. Much of it advocates a lifestyle that is not Christian. The songs that appear more neutral rarely point to Christ as a way out of difficult circumstances.
I am running out of steam. Maybe I’ll share more later. I hope I have given you some food for thought. Enjoy your day.
