A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine, Greg Gilbert, posted a blog on the 9Marks site called Against Music. The title was more an attention grabber than a statement of Greg’s attitude toward music in general. He was cautioning Christians against becoming spiritually dependent on music in their relationship with God. He wrote:

The bottom line, I suppose, is that it would do every Christian well to do some honest heart-searching about what makes them feel “close to God.” Can you feel close to God just by reading or saying the words, “In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”? Would you be able to function in a church that’s great in every way except the music? If not, you probably need to give some thought to whether your spiritual life is dependent on something it should not be dependent on.

I was asked to post a response, which I did here. Greg then followed up with another post, which ended with a group of insightful questions that help us discern whether or not we’re viewing music appropriately in our corporate worship. Some of the questions he asked were these:

• Do you need music playing in the background for the reading of Scripture to affect your emotions?
• Do you desperately look forward to the next conference you’re going to attend because you know that, finally, you’ll be able to feel close to God again?
• Do you tend to feel closer to God when you’re alone with your iPOD than you do when you’re gathered with God’s people in your church?
• Do you feel like you just can’t connect with other believers who haven’t had the same “worship experiences” that you have? Can you only connect with other believers who “know what it feels like to really worship?”
• Is your sense of spiritual well-being based more on feeling close to God, or knowing that you are close to God because of Jesus Christ?

Greg makes it clear, especially in his second post, that he’s not against music. I wanted to pick up on that thought and tell you why we should be for music. When we get too concerned about the negative effects of music, we can unintentionally stifle the good effects God intends for music to have on our souls. So here are a few thoughts about why God so often connects music and worship.

Music is meant to affect us emotionally. Some times I’ve thought it was more “spiritual” or pleasing to God if I could be affected without music playing. But that’s not the point. Of course music isn’t essential to expressing or stirring up strong feelings towards God. But that doesn’t mean music is irrelevant or unimportant. God intended for music to speak to our emotions so that we would not only think right thoughts about him, but also have deep affections for him. Music can make us feel joyful, reflective, sad, or peaceful. When the effects of music are skillfully combined with Scriptural realities and lyrics that magnify Christ, those truths often become more vivid and alive to us. That’s one of the reasons revivals from the Great Awakening of the 18th century to the Charismatic outpouring of the 1970’s have always been accompanied by a fresh outpouring of songs. God uses music that changes from generation to generation to spread the unchanging Word of the Gospel.

Music helps us meditate on Scriptural truth. Biblical meditation involves turning over specific truths in our minds so that they might sink into our hearts and affect our wills. Well-written music is a great tool to accomplish that end. It enables us to slow our words down without getting bored or sounding like we’re drunk. It allows us to enjoy repeating phrases. It aids in memorizing God’s promises. And it does all this in a way that we can find delightful. “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting” ( Ps. 147:1Psalm 147:1 [147:1]Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Music enables us to express our unity in the Gospel. Throughout history Christians have reaffirmed and declared their unity of faith through reciting creeds like the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. We’re affirming the truths around which our faith is built. But reciting what unites us is meant to go hand in hand with singing about what unites us. Singing together is a physically engaging statement that we are committed to the same cause, and redeemed by the one Savior.

Music draws out differing emotions from the same lyrics. Too often the music we sing on Sundays sounds the same, comes from the same century or decade, or only relates to a limited age bracket. The highs and lows of human emotion, the diverse aspects of God’s character, and the varying responses we should have to God are squeezed into a narrow emotional bandwidth of triumphant praise, traditional conservatism, sappy sentimentalism, or bland commercialism. God has given us music as a way of encouraging and expressing the wide range of responses that are appropriate for the holy, merciful, compassionate, all-powerful God we worship. That’s why we should give thought to arranging songs, and be able to benefit from singing Holy, Holy, Holy with an organ, a rock band, or no instruments at all.

As usual, the thoughts I have on this topic far exceed the time I have to write them on this blog. If you can suggest more reasons why music is a good thing when we gather to worship God, please leave a comment. The clearer we are on the reasons God wants us to use music in our public praise, the less likely we’ll use it for the wrong reasons.

13 Comments »

1. Bob,

   Thank you for your thoughtful post. I have benefited from your discussion here as well as your contributions on the 9Marks blog. Music certainly is a gift of God, and that is most clearly seen when the gathered church has the chance to sing His praises in celebration of what He’s done for us in Christ.

   You relisted the questions that resulted from your discussion on the 9Marks blog, and the first one sticks out to me especially: “Do you need music playing in the background for the reading of Scripture to affect your emotions?” I would add to this question, whether the tendency in many churches (including my own) to play music during prayer is beneficial. I am certain that it can be, but I’ve seen it become somewhat of a habit. I wanted to ask you about this. Do you think there is danger of us becoming dependent on music during prayer and Scripture reading? On the other hand, could it become a distraction, drawing our attention away from prayer and God’s Word?

   The last thing I want is to be a naysayer! We must be thankful to God for music, for it is His gift to all people and especially to His church. Thanks for drawing my attention to this good gift of the Father (He is good!). I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on this particular issue. Thank you for being faithful with what the Lord has given you, and please continue to serve Him diligently.

   Comment by Jeff Locke — February 21, 2008 @ 1:23 pm

2. Jeff,

   Thanks for stopping by.

   Yes, I think there is a danger of us becoming dependent on music to move our emotions during prayer and Scripture reading. A couple things we can do to minimize that. The first is obvious - don’t play music behind every prayer or reading of Scripture. The variety will help people see that while music can be used to complement and support the word, it’s not essential. The second way we can reduce an over-dependence is to play music that is truly supportive and not distracting. I’ve heard instrumentalists reflect what’s being said in a transparent way. I’ve also heard musicians play loudly, with too much variety, or aimlessly. I think people often react negatively to instrumental accompaniment because it’s not done well. But I think there’s biblical support for the ability of music to affect the way we hear the spoken word ( 1 Chron 25:11 Chronicles 25:1
   [25:1]David and the chiefs of the service also set apart
   for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of
   Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with
   cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their
   duties was: (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ; 1 Sam. 10:5-61 Samuel 10:5-6
   [5]After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where
   there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon
   as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets
   coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine,
   flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. [6]Then the
   Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will
   prophesy with them and be turned into another man. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ; 2 Kings 3:14-162 Kings 3:14-16
   [14]And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before
   whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for
   Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you
   nor see you. [15]But now bring me a musician." And when the
   musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.
   [16]And he said, "Thus says the LORD, 'I will make this dry
   streambed full of pools.' (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   ).

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — February 21, 2008 @ 3:14 pm

3. Bob,

   Thanks. That’s really helpful. Those passages of Scripture help put things in perspective. Whether to accompany prayer or Scripture reading has been a question in my mind as a worship leader, but I’ve never had this kind of biblical basis for such accompaniment. Thanks for being willing to share your insight.

   Comment by Jeff Locke — February 21, 2008 @ 3:55 pm

4. Bob,
   The discussion further highlights the need to tackle the Psalms at WorshipGod08.

   Greg Gilbert is obviously tapping into a real phenomenon of a generation that can’t imagine time passing without ear buds. Yet, the danger of over-reacting is always with us.

   What encourages me in music is the pervasive place it has in the Scriptures, whether it is the song of Moses in Exo 15Exodus 15
   [15:1]Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song
   to the LORD, saying,
   "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
   the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
   [2]The LORD is my strength and my song,
   and he has become my salvation;
   this is my God, and I will praise him,
   my father's God, and I will exalt him.
   [3]The LORD is a man of war;
   the LORD is his name.
   [4]"Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
   and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
   [5]The floods covered them;
   they went down into the depths like a stone.
   [6]Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power,
   your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
   [7]In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your
   adversaries;
   you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
   [8]At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
   the floods stood up in a heap;
   the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
   [9]The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake,
   I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill
   of them.
   I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.'
   [10]You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;
   they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
   [11]"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
   Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
   awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
   [12]You stretched out your right hand;
   the earth swallowed them.
   [13]"You have led in your steadfast love the people whom
   you have redeemed;
   you have guided them by your strength to your holy
   abode.
   [14]The peoples have heard; they tremble;
   pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
   [15]Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;
   trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;
   all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
   [16]Terror and dread fall upon them;
   because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as
   a stone,
   till your people, O LORD, pass by,
   till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
   [17]You will bring them in and plant them on your own
   mountain,
   the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode,
   the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have
   established.
   [18]The LORD will reign forever and ever."
   [19]For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and
   his horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought back the
   waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel
   walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [20]Then
   Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a
   tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after
   her with tambourines and dancing. [21]And Miriam sang to
   them:
   "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
   the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
   [22]Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and
   they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days
   in the wilderness and found no water. [23]When they came to
   Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it
   was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. [24]And the
   people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we
   drink?" [25]And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed
   him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water
   became sweet.
   There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and
   there he tested them, [26]saying, "If you will diligently
   listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which
   is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and
   keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on
   you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your
   healer."
   [27]Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve
   springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped
   there by the water. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , the 150 chapters of Psalms–replete with specific references to a variety of instruments and emotions–, Jesus singing a hymn with his disciples, or the continual songs that are raised in the book of Revelation. That assures us that in every era of redemptive history, music has a place.

   While God never reveals the answer to the question we all wonder–why did you create music?–I think one answer is that it completes an emotion in a way a spoken truth cannot. Greg’s point about being affected by simply reading or saying Eph 2:17Ephesians 2:17
   [17]And he came and preached peace to you who were far
   off and peace to those who were near. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   is a good one, but misses that music helps us to take this theologically and evangelically charged idea and help it take flight in our souls.

   We should surely be able to quietly and extensively meditate on the text and allow it to drip down into the darknesses of our sinful and unconfident hearts; but, neither should we miss that our souls are made to powerfully express what moves them. And few things allow us to powerfully express emotions–emotions rooted in truth!–like music. Why else did so many of us want to write songs for our brides in those early days of courtship? Saying it just wasn’t enough.

   Greg is right that music should not be a substitute for actual spiritual life. It is, no doubt, a kind of sacred stewardship that leaders and musicians and worship leaders need to use well, for noble purposes, for the intent of giving voice to the new songs of salvation that God is working in our hearts, all that his name might be magnified above all others.

   Having said all of this, if we answer “yes” to any of Greg’s questions then we should indeed take a hard look at our spiritual vitality.

   Thanks!
   Daniel Baker

   Comment by Daniel Baker — February 22, 2008 @ 9:29 am

5. Bob, thank you for the good points you made in short time. You have a been very helpful to me as I move from a childhood of only conservative music into a realm of wonderfully uplifting music and text found in modern spiritual songs. One thing I’d like to add regarding music is that I’ve found it to be able to reflect the character of God in it’s beauty, balance, orderliness, power, majesty, tenderness, stillness, movement etc. So often I hear a text that is complemented by a tune that enhances my view of the message. One song that comes to mind is “The Glory of the Cross”. The interlude between the 2nd chorus and 3rd verse always has the effect of drawing my spirit to the power and grace of the glory of the Cross. The Lord is most gracious to give us the gift us music to help us worship Him as we should.

   Alan Sherban

   Comment by Alan — February 22, 2008 @ 11:16 am

6. Bob,
   All this is very good and makes me more aware of planning the music on Sunday that it not be done to please us but to please Him. However, I am concerned about the churches with choirs. We never seem to touch on that, or if we have I’ve missed it. Is not choir relevant or is it something that is old hat? Choirs seemed to be important in the O.T. but little is mentioned of it in the N.T.

   Comment by joel deichman — February 22, 2008 @ 12:03 pm

7. Hi Bob,

   Thanks for continuing this “against music” and/or “for music” dialogue. It’s a valuable discussion.

   Obviously, the New Testament is replete with references about believers praising the Lord by singing. For example, (and I recognize that none of these verses will be new or unfamiliar - perhaps just a reminder of some foundational texts.)

   Matthew 26:30Matthew 26:30
   [30]And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the
   Mount of Olives. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives”

   Acts 16:25Acts 16:25
   [25]About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and
   singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to
   them, (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God”

   Romans 15:9Romans 15:9
   [9]and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for
   his mercy. As it is written,
   "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
   and sing to your name."

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “For this reason I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name”

   1 Corinthians 14:151 Corinthians 14:15
   [15]What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I
   will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my
   spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding”

   Ephesians 5:19Ephesians 5:19
   [19]addressing one another in psalms and hymns and
   spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with
   your heart, (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”

   Colossians 3:16Colossians 3:16
   [16]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching
   and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms
   and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your
   hearts to God. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “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”

   Hebrews 2:12Hebrews 2:12
   [12]saying,
   "I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will sing your
   praise."

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You”

   Hebrews 13:15Hebrews 13:15
   [15]Through him then let us continually offer up a
   sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that
   acknowledge his name. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name”

   James 5:13James 5:13
   [13]Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is
   anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   “Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”

   I’ve heard music called “the language of the heart.” The Lord has indeed used the vehicle of music to stir the mind, will and emotions of believers for centuries by means of astonishing lyrics and with dynamic, arousing melodies and harmonies.

   The wonderful thing about this “against music” and/or “for music” discussion is that it has brought the following question back to the front-burner of my own heart…

   “Is Jesus enough?”

   Thanks again, Bob. What you do “matters” in the kingdom!

   Have a blessed weekend.

   David Guion

   Comment by David Guion — February 22, 2008 @ 1:29 pm

8. Joel,

   You asked about the place of choirs. Since God hasn’t given us clear direction in the New Testament, it seems to me that we evaluate them the same way we evaluate other forms of music. Do they help people magnify the glory of God in Christ? Do they contribute to wholehearted singing from the congregation? Are they a means of showcasing human talents or serving the church? I don’t think Scripture specifically speaks against the use of choirs, but neither do I see explicit commands that we should have them. Every church is free to determine what best serves their church each week and over the long haul.

   Feel free to follow up.

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — February 22, 2008 @ 3:33 pm

9. Bob,

   I appreciate your perspective on this issue. I posted this reponse to Greg’s post quoting you at the 9marks site…I’d like know your thoughts on this (this is a partial quote from my post):

   Jonathan Edwards, for me, was the greatest help in reading his “On Religious Affections.” In part 1, Section II, point 9, Edwards has this to say:

   “And the duty of singing praises to God, seems to be appointed wholly to excite and express religious affections. No other reason can be assigned, why we should express ourselves to God in verse, rather than in prose, and do it with music, but only, that such is our nature and frame, that these things have a tendency to move our affections.”

   Comment by Luke — February 22, 2008 @ 9:40 pm

10. Luke,

    Great quote from Jonathan Edwards. I agree wholeheartedly. I think his comments on singing also encourage the use of creative, moving, skillfully played music to accompany our singing.

    Comment by Bob Kauflin — February 22, 2008 @ 11:37 pm

11. Bob,

    Thanks as ever for your measured and helpful comments. This might be a good place to throw in an issue I’ve been thinking about for few weeks on the role of music and singing in our corporate meetings. It was prompted by John Frame’s very helpful book ‘Worship in Spirit and Truth’. In a chapter where he searches the New Testament for the different elements we might include in our corporate services, he says:

    ‘Song does not have an independent function in worship; rather, it is a way of doing many different things: praying, teaching, blessing, fellowshiping, etc.’ (p57)

    There is no doubt there is truth to this - even one of the examples you quoted above concerning the role of singing in helping us interact with the truth of God’s word demonstrates this.

    But is there a danger in reducing singing to this utilitarian role? Does it always have to be a means to some other end or can singing to God be an end in itself? In short, does singing have any independent function?

    I would love to hear people’s thoughts on this!

    Thanks,
    Al

    Comment by Alistair Hamill — February 23, 2008 @ 8:04 am

12. Al,

    Does singing have any independent function? I think in the public meetings of the church, music and singing always have a functional, serving role. Or, as you say, a utilitarian role. That just sounds a little stark to me. We don’t sing simply for the pleasure that lifting our voices brings. We don’t play music just to admire the beauty of rhythm, harmony, and melody. We sing because it stirs up and expresses emotions towards God. But those emotions are grounded in his revealed Word to us, not in the music we’re making. Placing music and singing in their own category tends to result in art worship — valuing the gift apart from the Giver.

    So I think Frame’s perspective is right. We sing in order to accomplish other ends - praying, praising, reflecting, teaching, celebrating. But God commands us to sing because it helps us engage differently, at times even more fully, with those particular activities.

    Comment by Bob Kauflin — February 23, 2008 @ 8:42 am

13. I agree with Bob. This whole act of worship that we put forth is more than a simple raising of our voices. I will have to be honest though, when I have to admit that I really do love to sing, so it is made more of a good experience for me at least. This is where i believe that God has put different talents in us for different reasons. I am a worship leader at my school but if i didnt have any musical talent/a love for music then i would not want to do what i do now. So i agree, it is more than lifting our voices because we enjoy it, but it sure doesnt help if it’s your thing.

    Comment by glenn d. — March 6, 2008 @ 11:55 am

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