MMF - The neutrality of Music - Instruments yes lyrics no

What about if the teaching/preaching matches the music style and is also shallow,non-expository,life lessons,feel good sermonettes. Doesn't this usually match the style of musi?. That casual style with little reverence tends to bring down worship,not elevate it. And,it is okay that Aaron told me to leave. We have been prayerfully considering that a long time. His words really don't make the decision for us. We are still there....but desiring for a deeper more committed to God's Word church,because that is where we are in our personal lives. There are churches doing things right out there.I think we should choose what is best and a church that fears the Lord seems to have a better attitude towards God,His worship,and His Word. We long for that. Aaron is not responsible for our decisions,but I do appreciate wise counsel. I agreee with a lot of what Aaron is saying,not EVERYTHING,but I do see what he is saying. We should be open to it...we tend to dig our heels in because we simply like something,but it doesn't mean it is right or best.

 

Also,think about this: Take a serious song about surrendering to Christ...play it with a serious kinda slow style and see the meaning of the words,and then play it with as happy clappy tune and beat...does only the Words matter,doesn't the tune and beat have something to do with how a message is carried? This lighthearted beat and carefree tune tends to make people feel good and they can get into it,it is cool...but reverent,does that vehicle,so to speak carry the message(content) properly? I think we make light of the things of God in the area of music. There is an excellent way...I just think the message should fit the style.

 

Sularis,

Music is not neutral. Specific styles evoke certain emotions and physical responses which are universal and quite independent of culture or upbringing.

Aaron

 

John Mac makes an analogy on the bible bulletin board about this very subject...he says that if you hear striptease music,we all know what that sounds like,we think of that particular thing. Any kind of music does that...it refers to a particualr thing,object,etc. Also,he says,if you take really high bilical content and put it to a sleezy sounding tune,the words do not elevate the style,the style brings down the message....think about it.

 

I believe music is far from neutral.

In the movies, the music being played to each scene can either make it or break it.

When the damsel is being tied to the train trestle, you don't hear "Ode to Joy." You hear music that creates & elaborates on the danger she's in.

When the damsel falls into the hero's arms at the end of the show, you don't hear "Iron Man," but sweet, romantic music to reflect the mood.

When Rocky is standing at the top of the stairs, you don't hear "Feelings, nothing more than feelings...", you hear triumphant hero music.

Music, in and of itself, has power to evoke all kinds of emotions.
1Samuel 16:14 But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. 16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. 17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. 18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

There is no mention of David singing, just playing.

 

Sularis,you really don't know what striptease music sounds like? I can't explain it with words,but it has a sleezy loose beat and tune. It is defintely different from the tune and sound of When I survey the Wondrous Cross or a song like that.

Now,if you put the biblical words to a tune that resembles a worldy immoral activity,then it would degrade the message,not relate to people that go to strip tease bars. It seems ludicrous the reasoning for allowing a contemporary style.

 

Did you know that you can sing "Amazing Grace" to the tune of "The Stripper"?

Go ahead. Try it.

Mike

 

But,I don't want to. I like Amazing Grace that way it is,the way it was written. Whay would someone want to take a song and change it that way?

 

Molly said:

It ["strip" music] is defintely different from the tune and sound of When I survey the Wondrous Cross or a song like that.

Really? Actually, the first few phrases of "The Stripper" aren't all that different, melodically, from "Just a Closer Walk With Thee."

Also, judging from a few news items, late-night commercials, etc. that I have seen, "strip" music these days is run-of-the-mill dance/techno, not big band.

 

But that still doesn't make it okay for corporate worship....right?

Please say you agree....I'm really getting concerned with this *everything is okay* kinda attitude....

 

But you're not changing "Amazing Grace", you're changing "The Stripper".

If that doesn't float your boat, you can also sing "Amazing Grace" to the tune of "Peaceful, Easy Feeling", the Hollies' "Bus Stop", "Little Surfer Girl" and Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold".

Mike

http://www.keylife.org

 

Ditto Mr. Curtis' post.

 

Sularis,

You stated a premise with no evidence. Could you cite any musicologist who would say that music is neutral and our reactions to it are culturally conditioned?

 

So your answer is, "No, I can't cite anyone who has really studied music and its effects who would agree that music is neutral."

Thank you.

 

Molly actually striptease music is no longer secluded to one particular style...all types are used now.

Music is extremely neutral, the message to the music is what will pound truth or lies into a head but the music is simply entertaining.

Karen

 

I'm not going to say rock music is evil. I don't know if it is or not. People are making some biblical points do back up what they are saying.

But music is not neutral. I do know this to be true.

"Atmospheres are going to come through music, because the music is a spiritual thing of its own ... you hypnotize people to where they go right back to their natural state which is pure positive the subconscious what we want to say ... People want release any kind of way nowadays. The idea is to release in the proper form. Then they'll feel like going into another world, a clearer world. The music flows from the air; that’s why I connect with a spirit, and when they come down off this natural high, they see clearer, feel different things..." (Jimmy Hendrix, rock star, Life, Oct. 3, 1969, p. 74).

Music is powerful, all by it's self.