This week, I’m taking a slightly different approach to my weekly blogs. Rather than sharing my own thoughts of encouragement, I want to spotlight the words of another author whose insight on a vital topic I deeply respect. Although I do not personally know him, I was greatly blessed by his book The Spiritual Song: The Missing Element in Church Music by Mike Foster. In it, he offers a clear, biblical perspective on a subject that, sadly, has become unnecessarily controversial in Christianity today: music.
Why bring up music in an article? And how does it connect to my heart and ministry of encouraging you in your walk with the Lord? The answer is simple: if our music is incorrect, our relationship with God is deficient. And if our relationship with God is compromised, our relationship with one another will be too. The Holy Bible clearly demonstrates that we are the final generation before the rapture—the lukewarm Laodicean church—marked by a form of godliness that denies the power therein (Revelation 3; 2 Timothy 3). We are not reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ as we should. As a result, we bring confusion and send mixed signals to a watching lost world. Why would the unsaved be drawn to Christ if they see no difference in us? We are called to be a peculiar people, called out ones set apart, and shining as lights in a dark world (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Philippians 2:15).
Mr. Foster’s book addresses many of the questions we all have wrestled with concerning Christian music in both church gatherings and personal walk with God. I can’t emphasize enough how plainly and powerfully he lays out biblical truths—truths that should unite, not divide, the body of Christ.
In two weeks after Resurrection Day, I’ll be sharing some of my own reflections on this important subject. But today, I want to set the stage by sharing an excerpt from Mr. Foster’s book. I hope it blesses and challenges you as much as it did me.
Beginning on page 20, Mr. Foster writes:
In conclusion, what then should be our philosophy of music? In order to understand why we sing, let us first see why we do not. There are three inappropriate reasons for the music sung in church. First of all, music is not for entertainment. We do not come to church for our own flesh to be pleased. That is what entertainment does. Many churches today have put aside the truths we have discussed in this chapter and have taught and encouraged their people to come to church to be entertained: Churches have rock star look-alike contests in their morning services; "anything goes" when it comes to music selection and other standards in the church setting these days; there is no standard in some churches; there is a distinct attempt to let people please their flesh.
Secondly, music is not for recreation in the church. Recreation will encourage people to turn their minds off and be amused. Again, this is a selfish way to look at music and its purpose. It is not for my own amusement. Music is to reflect the Lord and His goodness.
Thirdly, music should not be for my own advancement. I am not trying to "sell" my talents and abilities so people can take advantage of them. This is a selfish and wrong motive for any believer. Musical abilities come from God and should always be used for Him.
Then, in summary, what are the purposes of music in the church?
Why bring up music in an article? And how does it connect to my heart and ministry of encouraging you in your walk with the Lord? The answer is simple: if our music is incorrect, our relationship with God is deficient. And if our relationship with God is compromised, our relationship with one another will be too. The Holy Bible clearly demonstrates that we are the final generation before the rapture—the lukewarm Laodicean church—marked by a form of godliness that denies the power therein (Revelation 3; 2 Timothy 3). We are not reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ as we should. As a result, we bring confusion and send mixed signals to a watching lost world. Why would the unsaved be drawn to Christ if they see no difference in us? We are called to be a peculiar people, called out ones set apart, and shining as lights in a dark world (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Philippians 2:15).
Mr. Foster’s book addresses many of the questions we all have wrestled with concerning Christian music in both church gatherings and personal walk with God. I can’t emphasize enough how plainly and powerfully he lays out biblical truths—truths that should unite, not divide, the body of Christ.
In two weeks after Resurrection Day, I’ll be sharing some of my own reflections on this important subject. But today, I want to set the stage by sharing an excerpt from Mr. Foster’s book. I hope it blesses and challenges you as much as it did me.
Beginning on page 20, Mr. Foster writes:
In conclusion, what then should be our philosophy of music? In order to understand why we sing, let us first see why we do not. There are three inappropriate reasons for the music sung in church. First of all, music is not for entertainment. We do not come to church for our own flesh to be pleased. That is what entertainment does. Many churches today have put aside the truths we have discussed in this chapter and have taught and encouraged their people to come to church to be entertained: Churches have rock star look-alike contests in their morning services; "anything goes" when it comes to music selection and other standards in the church setting these days; there is no standard in some churches; there is a distinct attempt to let people please their flesh.
Secondly, music is not for recreation in the church. Recreation will encourage people to turn their minds off and be amused. Again, this is a selfish way to look at music and its purpose. It is not for my own amusement. Music is to reflect the Lord and His goodness.
Thirdly, music should not be for my own advancement. I am not trying to "sell" my talents and abilities so people can take advantage of them. This is a selfish and wrong motive for any believer. Musical abilities come from God and should always be used for Him.
Then, in summary, what are the purposes of music in the church?
1. Music should be used for worship. What a wonderful opportunity to bow our knees to the Lord and worship Him together.
2. Music should be used for instruction. Again, we see in Colossians 3:16 the term “teaching” used when referring to our church music. Songs that reflect pure doctrine can teach us how to live a life that pleases God.
3. Music should praise the Lord. There is no better way to lift up our voices in praise to the Lord than in song! We ought to welcome the opportunities to be able to “…praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works unto the children of men.”
4. Music should unify the believers. Many times Christians bring the baggage of division and strife to church. Unification cannot happen unless these things are confessed as sin and removed from our hearts—then we can lift our voices together to praise and thank the Lord for what He has done.
5. Music can also testify of a changed heart to believers and unbelievers alike. This is a wonderful way to show this change—whether it be of salvation or sanctification. What a blessing to hear people sing who have had a difficulty of some sort and have gotten right with the Lord or have been saved! Their testimony is exciting and helpful to any service.
6. Music should also honor and glorify the Lord. When people hear music sung or played it should point to the One Who saved them and should uplift His name. No one else should get the glory.
7. Finally, our music should reflect Christ. His attributes should be seen clearly in our music. If we are filled with the Spirit and His music is being sung with His help, it will be a reflection of Christ. Our standard of music should be to reflect the holiness, righteousness, truth, purity, order, and beauty of our Heavenly Father, because that is why we exist. I know we say that our music should honor and glorify the Lord, but that is not the sole purpose of music. Revelation 4 says that we are created for His pleasure. So, our goal should be to please God, not just honor and glorify Him. When we reflect God’s Son in our music, then that is pleasing to Him. His standard has then become our standard.
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2. Music should be used for instruction. Again, we see in Colossians 3:16 the term “teaching” used when referring to our church music. Songs that reflect pure doctrine can teach us how to live a life that pleases God.
3. Music should praise the Lord. There is no better way to lift up our voices in praise to the Lord than in song! We ought to welcome the opportunities to be able to “…praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works unto the children of men.”
4. Music should unify the believers. Many times Christians bring the baggage of division and strife to church. Unification cannot happen unless these things are confessed as sin and removed from our hearts—then we can lift our voices together to praise and thank the Lord for what He has done.
5. Music can also testify of a changed heart to believers and unbelievers alike. This is a wonderful way to show this change—whether it be of salvation or sanctification. What a blessing to hear people sing who have had a difficulty of some sort and have gotten right with the Lord or have been saved! Their testimony is exciting and helpful to any service.
6. Music should also honor and glorify the Lord. When people hear music sung or played it should point to the One Who saved them and should uplift His name. No one else should get the glory.
7. Finally, our music should reflect Christ. His attributes should be seen clearly in our music. If we are filled with the Spirit and His music is being sung with His help, it will be a reflection of Christ. Our standard of music should be to reflect the holiness, righteousness, truth, purity, order, and beauty of our Heavenly Father, because that is why we exist. I know we say that our music should honor and glorify the Lord, but that is not the sole purpose of music. Revelation 4 says that we are created for His pleasure. So, our goal should be to please God, not just honor and glorify Him. When we reflect God’s Son in our music, then that is pleasing to Him. His standard has then become our standard.
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