Caronport Saskatchewan, DE Office
Waiting for the computer to finish rendering, 1:26 PM
Weather = Chilly but clear.
As I wait for my computer to render my work I am listening to one of my favorite bands, "Two Steps from Hell."
Music is such a wonderful thing. The ancients understood music to reflect the order of all things and that beyond our limited scope lay the all encompassing music that was so beautiful it was indescribable, the music of the spheres. Indeed, beyond our understanding is the working of God and the divine order of all things, Music as a form of The Good is perhaps a fitting metaphor.
Music speaks to us, it invokes thoughts, images, emotions, and stirs the mind. Whoever thinks that the music they listen to doesn't effect them is a fool who knows nothing of the soul. Music gets past our conscious mind and flows into our subconscious. Angry music will make you angry about something in your life. Heroic music will make you work harder. Soft music will ease your mind. Mindless music will stunt your wisdom and intellectual growth.
If there is anything noble or beautiful in music, then what is more noble or more beautiful than the divine order and God's incredible plan of redemption in creation? If there is anything heart stirring or awe inspiring in music, than what is more heart stirring the the fire of the Holy Spirit or more awe inspiring than God's glory? If there is something in music that leads one to think of high and lofting things or causes the imagination to soar in new and strange lands, then what is more lofty than our divine calling as agents of God in this world and praise be to God for giving us imaginations that can soar alongside his creative mind! All of these things can be taken as reflections of God and his works, they can become symbols and even sacraments whereby God uses them to speak to us and reflect himself to us. The reality is that we as Christians live the greatest of adventures and it is my opinion that we are entitled to some good theme music every once and a while.Is there music that Christians should not listen to? I know a few people who would raise their eyebrow at a band with a name like "Two Steps from Hell." What about sound tracks from movies like Harry Potter or other films that have a blatantly counter-Christian understanding of the world? What about obscene or vile music?
I think wisdom and discernment are necessary in drawing personal and communal lines on every issue, especially this one. There are two poles on a continuum that we must pay attention to. On the one hand we have personal preference and on the other hand we have the sensibilities of and respect for the community around us. Music is both personal and communal and this tension becomes obvious on Sunday mornings when the young folk have their style of music and the previous generations have their own. Their is also another two poles on a different continuum, the original meaning of the song and the new meaning the listener gives to it. I am going to not go into any particulars but jump over the quagmire and cut straight to the chase.
All music, regardless of musical style, content, original purpose, what it is associated with, your or my personal reactions or thoughts about it, is completely and wholly subservient to Christ and is redeemable. All music can be used to serve Christ but it is Christ who causes this to happen by the Holy Spirit for the glory of the Father! For this reason Christians, although we ought to be exceedingly discerning, have the freedom to listen to all music if it is done in the Spirit. Therefore we should not judge a brother or sister in the faith solely on the basis of music that we disapprove of. We should confront one another in love if we are concerned, each of us keeping in mind that we ought to serve the weaker brothers, making all efforts to live at peace with everyone around us, and to not use our freedom as a cover for evil or allow it to become a root of division.
Now go listen to some good Two Steps from Hell and consider your great calling in the Lord Jesus Christ and his incredible power that works through you to accomplish the purposes of Almighty God set forth before the dawn of creation alongside countless other brothers and sisters, saints and agents of our all glorious Savior who bled and died and was raised for our justification, from all time and for eternal purpose, a holy line of believers united in Christ which stretches from beginning to beyond the end of time in victory of which you are a part.
Greg Out
Ps. Here are a few more favorites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ1GbBlS9wM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASj81daun5Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGb5XFJ7BKk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZOKREgDYc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKBbu46h2fw&feature=related
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