Okay, for a quick moment, put yourself back in time to the second century (that's the years between 100 and 199). You are a Christian, very likely gathering for worship in someone's house in town. The Bible readings will be there, as you have someone who can read in the town who also happens to be a Christian. So you get to hear something from the Old Testament and the New Testament, since much of what we call the New Testament has already come together as a unit. You will undoubtedly pray together, and probably share a meal with the Lord's Supper.
What do you do for music, though? Think about this for a moment. None of the hymns that find their way into our modern day hymnbooks have been written. And what do you do for musical accompaniment? Maybe someone remembered their flute, or their harp or their lyre. Chances are, you won't be belting out "Amazing Grace" to the organ as you gather for worship at that time. Maybe you'll sing a few of the Psalms as your hymns, or some of the music that has begun to be written about Jesus and His death and resurrection.
Now, fast-forward to today. Have you ever been in a gathering of Christians where the type of music being sung during worship has come up for discussion? The discussion of "contemporary" music versus "traditional" music likely has come up. The discussion may also have revolved around the particular instruments being played. In some ways, in our day and time, we've come to have this view that there are "right" and "wrong" songs and instruments for worship.
The thing that I most want to point out here today is that there is a reason why God has never "claimed" one instrument or type of music as superior to another in His eyes. It's because the ultimate goal of our music which is directed toward God is to thank and praise Him for His grace and for what He has done for us. Sometimes you can do that with a faster beat, and sometimes with a slower beat. Whether it comes from a guitar or an expensive organ, the goal is a heart whose intent is to thank and praise God.
Since I'm not a historical expert, and since I haven't lived at all times in the history of this world, I cannot speak with a great deal of knowledge on how early Christians "did" their music. It is a bit surprising to me that we will go to such great lengths to defend one type of music over another. Granted, there will always be songs/hymns that are better than others, or have more doctrinal depth or accuracy than others. We should always strive for those which are accurate about God and our faith. As for depth, there is a time and place for those short little catchy songs as well as those that speak to the depths of our souls.
I hope that, whatever your musical preferences may be, that you remember that the ultimate aim and goal of our music and singing is to thank and praise our God for what He has done.
What do you do for music, though? Think about this for a moment. None of the hymns that find their way into our modern day hymnbooks have been written. And what do you do for musical accompaniment? Maybe someone remembered their flute, or their harp or their lyre. Chances are, you won't be belting out "Amazing Grace" to the organ as you gather for worship at that time. Maybe you'll sing a few of the Psalms as your hymns, or some of the music that has begun to be written about Jesus and His death and resurrection.
Now, fast-forward to today. Have you ever been in a gathering of Christians where the type of music being sung during worship has come up for discussion? The discussion of "contemporary" music versus "traditional" music likely has come up. The discussion may also have revolved around the particular instruments being played. In some ways, in our day and time, we've come to have this view that there are "right" and "wrong" songs and instruments for worship.
The thing that I most want to point out here today is that there is a reason why God has never "claimed" one instrument or type of music as superior to another in His eyes. It's because the ultimate goal of our music which is directed toward God is to thank and praise Him for His grace and for what He has done for us. Sometimes you can do that with a faster beat, and sometimes with a slower beat. Whether it comes from a guitar or an expensive organ, the goal is a heart whose intent is to thank and praise God.
Since I'm not a historical expert, and since I haven't lived at all times in the history of this world, I cannot speak with a great deal of knowledge on how early Christians "did" their music. It is a bit surprising to me that we will go to such great lengths to defend one type of music over another. Granted, there will always be songs/hymns that are better than others, or have more doctrinal depth or accuracy than others. We should always strive for those which are accurate about God and our faith. As for depth, there is a time and place for those short little catchy songs as well as those that speak to the depths of our souls.
I hope that, whatever your musical preferences may be, that you remember that the ultimate aim and goal of our music and singing is to thank and praise our God for what He has done.
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