October 24, 2006
13 Points on Music in Worship
This is from Ligon Duncan this morning.
(Read “music” as distinct from “singing”)
1. Music in worship is to serve the praise of God. Among other things this means that our preferences are not the issue.
2. Music in worship must serve the congregation’s praise and prayer to God. Music serves to connect the affections and desire to truth so that the truth is internalized and then sent back to God in praise.
3. Music in worship is to serve the congregation of the redeemed singing praises to the Redeemer about the redemption.
4. Music as distinct from singing takes a much more prominent role in our worship than in the NT.
5. Music style preference is often too important in an unhealthful ways for too many people. We [American Evangelicals] are the ones who came up with the sovereignty of style.
6. Music must pass the test of the catacombs.
7. Music (at least some of it) must pass the test of the stake and pyre. We must have some music that helps our people to die.
8. Music must contribute to the communion of the saints, not sunder it. (On retaining old music: “What have you lost if you lose the sound of your ancestors’ souls singing?” - Peggy Noonan).
9. Music (as distinct from singing, of course) is not an element of worship. It is an aid to worship.
10. Music must be consonant to the text of Scripture or the truth we are singing. You can sing Amazing Grace metrically to “Gilligan’s Island” but something is lost. We must recognize that there are media that spoil the message.
11. All music forms convey impressions. You will never hear the theme from “Jaws” in your dentist’s office. One of the problems is that by and large Americans fail to realize that form impacts message. Evangelicals are the first beings in the planet to not believe that.
12. The purpose of music in worship is not to accomodate our preferences or to reclaim our culture.
13. Music has powerful effect, emotions, and associations so it needs to be handled with care. “No one ever had a spiritual experience on high C” (Dever). Sometimes music can make us feel close to God. It is a dangerous anesthetic. One reason why we fill up our services with music is because of the absence of God. Isn’t this exactly what Saul did?
Posted by Bob Bixby at October 24, 2006 10:59 AM | eMail this entry! | 401 WordsThis entry was posted in the following categories: Conferences
“6. Music must pass the test of the catacombs.”
Explain? I know that I’m historically illiterate.
Thanks.
— Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Subra at October 24, 2006 12:05 PMHis point was two-fold (as I understood him):
First, often people will say that certain technology and style is absolutely essential for good worship. If it would be impossible to do in the catacombs, it is not essential.
Second, any mood, ambiance, style that did not reflect both the sorrow and joy of the full range of Christian emotions and therefore would probably be out of place in the catacombs, is more than likely inappropriate.
That is my recollection.
Posted by: Bob at October 24, 2006 12:32 PMHmmm. I guess if the most deprived of situations is the measure of full and true worship, that would be true. I’m not sure that I can accept that as a firm basis.
The one challenge that I have with such discourses (I’m assuming that it is me) is that statements are made apart from God’s revelation. Music is hard (to me) to nail down in such a way (though I would certianly like to).
Thanks for the further explanation. It makes #6 make sense.
— Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Subra at October 24, 2006 12:41 PMI can’t say that I have any disagreement with Duncan’s points, but I’d like to see the Biblical authority for each of those points, or at least see his reasoning for the Biblical principles he uses to support these points.
Posted by: Paul Nelson at October 24, 2006 02:07 PMThought provoking. Thanks.
Posted by: Todd Wood at October 24, 2006 02:41 PMMy take on the catacombs test was a little different. If the music was likely to cause some great father to roll over in his grave (shock, disgust etc…), it would fail the test of the catacombs.
Posted by: Pooka at October 24, 2006 04:15 PMI report you decide.
Pooka, are you down here? Who are you?
Posted by: Bob at October 24, 2006 05:32 PMWhich must explain this: PCA Rap Reps?
Posted by: Jen at October 24, 2006 10:37 PMBob:
Thanks for posting this. I recently listened to this sermon and enjoyed it tremendously. His best point was #7. His illustration that people do not want W&P music when they stand at the bedside of their dying child brought tears. The Doxology is the kind of thing that we need when we face the trials of Job.
Jon
Posted by: Jon at October 25, 2006 07:19 AMThis was a powerful statement:
“One reason why we fill up our services with music is because of the absence of God.”
That is sooooo true in sooooo many places. God help us!
Posted by: Brian McCrorie at October 27, 2006 12:59 PM
