So I was lying around yesterday thinking a comment someone made to me at the Feast. The comment came after some Jamaican brethren (OK, mostly sistren) sang special music. As they sang, they swayed rhythmically back and forth. A friend (who happens to be black), commented on how you never see that. I hadn't really paid it that much attention, as I grew up Baptist, and one sees far more activity than swaying when the choirs really get into it. My friend went on to opine that some in the church would be offended by the swaying of the choir. At first, I didn't agree, but after giving the matter some thought I think my buddy might be correct. How many things are frowned upon because of cultural differences and not for scriptural reasons? For example, many brethren listen to classical music on the Sabbath. I do too - but I also listen to instrumental jazz. I don't know if I'd break out the jazz while other brethren were visiting unless I knew for certain they wouldn't be uncomfortable.
Take our hymns, for instance. I like the way they're written, and I love the arrangements for almost all of them - but I don't think that they will be sung the way their written now by every nation. You can click on the album name to hear a snippet of "Praise the Eternal". Some nations will "jazz them up" a certain way, and some nations will jazz them up in other ways,IMHO. Is that wrong? I think there are going to be noticeable differences between services in Lagos, Auckland, and Jerusalem. I think God will revel in the different flavors His worship will take among the various peoples of the world. Of course, the aspects of each culture that is counter to God's way of life must be discerned and removed. I have a CD (somewhere) by Chris Jasper, a former member of the Isley Brothers. Apparently he attended WCG for a time in the late 80s or early 90s. Anyway, his CD "Praise the Eternal" contains his versions of the title track and "Holy Mighty Majesty". I happen to like his versions, but I imagine his renditions would border on sacrilege for some.
I heard there were some naysayers a few years back when a male ensemble performed a contemporary gospel song for special music at another Feast site ("Awesome God", I believe it was). The problem was not the lyrics of the song - but the way the song was performed. I remember there being some miffed brethren at a Feast in Panama City a few years back when a guy performed a sax solo of "Amazing Grace" for special music. Now, I understand that "Amazing Grace" probably made those people uncomfortable because of its association with mainstream religion. That's understandable, I guess, considering most people in the church want to distance themselves from mainstream religions as much as possible. Still, I thought some of the reactions I heard were a bit extreme. But hey, what do I know?
Anyway, I'm rambling. I'm going to make a more concerted effort to ask myself when I see something I think is wrong: "Do I think this thing/action/idea/attitude is wrong because it is - or because it's different than the what I would do?" If I can't determine that whatever it is is wrong according to the Bible, then I guess I have some work to do on myself.
PS: Liking Bob Dylan's or Dave Matthews' singing SHOULD be frowned upon! I'm sure there's a Scripture in there somewhere that covers that.
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7 comments:
Interesting and correct observations and comments. Interesting in that Summer and I had a discussion along this same thread on the way back from Spartanburg this afternoon. Correct in that everything that people incorporate into their practices and belief systems is not based on the Bible. While the Bible indicates that David worshipped God with all his heart and emotion, some are not comfortable with emotional expression. Somehow expressing emotion is Pentecostal or some heathen, animistic, pagan practice we should not be involved in. It is evident that a completely mature person fully expresses his or her emotions in appropriate ways. God has emotions. Let us hope He fully expresses those emotions and does not keep Himself imprisoned in an intellectual straitjacket. The best things in life are felt. Even our intellectual accomplishments are enjoyed by - emotions.
So. I think there needs to be more singing from the heart in the Church of God. I think we need to show our feelings towards God in heartfelt expression. And if that means swaying, let's sway. David danced in praising God.
I personally admire the quality of the singing in many Black choirs. I would be greatly moved to hear right words sung with that kind of feeling and emotion. We'll do that on Planet Manuel. Ya'll come over.
As dad said, I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I was considering writing a blog about it too. But all my thoughts condensed (because I'm half asleep and half sick)...I am wanting to find a gospel song with appropriate words for the girls at church to sing. It's so hard to get into the hymns and sing them like you feel them simply because of the way they're written--very Martin Luther chorale style.
I'm rambling and I'm sick. I've been like this all week, excuse my incoherent thoughts. And bad spelling.
Good Topic! I have to watch myself at services, because I'll catch myself "bee-boppin" to the songs we sing. Especially when we have a certain player who speeds up the tempo now and then. I mean no disrespect. I believe it is because I'm feeling the song from the inside out. Music is very physical and I don't feel that "moving to the music" should considered totally negative. Of course as with all things (or I'd like to say gifts from God, which I believe music is one), they can usually be misused in one way or another.
I believe music helps us to express ourselves in ways that words could never accomplish. Music makes us happy, it can make us sad, it can help us fall in love & share that love and I believe that it has healing properties. In fact, we saw just this week a doctor stating that they use music for comatose patients and truly believes that it has revived some.
I can't stand the fact that I've never learned to play an instrument. I like the electric guitar I have, but still need lesson books and an amplifier to continue. As it stands now, I have to fight playing by ear. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with playing by ear, but I would like to learn to read the music. Rebecca has played the piano and has many lesson books, so we're looking into purchasing a nice keyboard. Yes, hindsight is 20/20.
Great Blog Michael, keep it up!
Excellent post! Special music or singing hymms is largely a part of culture. Unfortunately many of us here think ours is the biblical way. I listened to a sermon from Fred Kellers with ucg describing a trip he took on behalf ucg to Africa and the different yet terrific way they use music. He also described though how some are taken aback by it. It comes down to the point of hymms or special music being to praise, honor and worship God. As long as those are the motives and it is not done as a show then I see no evidence of one biblically mandated way.
I'm certain your friend is right about what some's reactions would be.
"Do I think this thing/action/idea/attitude is wrong because it is - or because it's different than the what I would do?" If I can't determine that whatever it is is wrong according to the Bible, then I guess I have some work to do on myself"
I've ran across that conflict with myself some as well
"While the Bible indicates that David worshipped God with all his heart and emotion, some are not comfortable with emotional expression."
Like David's wife Michal who made fun of his behavior when the Ark of the Covenent was brought to Jerusalem.
This is something I've thought about, as well. From what I've seen, I think blacks tend to be a lot more passionate about music and their beliefs than whites do. And while those beliefs are sometimes misplaced, I think that there's something to be learned about not being afraid to talk about what you believe and be passionate about it. I think often times whites can be stingy and...well, square (for lack of a better word :)) about the expression of their beliefs. In high school our chorus director was an amazing and beloved "big fat bald black man" (who was very talented, and as a result our chorus sang at the White House for several years). Because of his black/gospel/spiritual background, we ended up singing a lot of black spirituals. I'd never been exposed to that before (hey, I'm Canadian :)), but I absolutely LOVED it. There's so much energy and life in the music. I think it's wrong and somewhat self-righteous to look down on others who express themselves in ways different than you would (especially within the church). Culture totally affects your world view, and I think it's not understanding the culture behind music or an action that makes you inclined to look down upon it and consider your ways to be better. Anyway, yeah, I think this is something that we should all consider and actively try to be open-minded about :)
P.S. - You get the award for the longest comments ever :)
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