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Rick Warren on Music

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Pastor Larry, Aug 19, 2004.

  1. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    I think that there's a time to speak to people on an intellectual level and that there are times when God speaks to us on a much deeper, much more personal level.

    If you've ever read my posts on ChristianForums, then you know that I believe very strongly that God gave us a mind and expects us to use it.

    But I also believe that, if that's all we do, analyze every little detail, then our worship will become just another academic excercise and we'll miss God's presence and His blessing.


    Now Playing: Warren Zevon - "My Ride's Here"
     
  2. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    What's your reaction? </font>[/QUOTE]I think this is potentially very dangerous thinking in that he seems to encourage turning off the intellect and allowing the emotional "heart" take over. When I was a teen, I used to listen to the pounding rhythms of Twisted Sister. I used to tell my parents that I don't listen to the words. I just like the music. And in all honesty, that was somewhat true. I really did like the music. But, the message of rebellion and hatred came through loud and clear in my behavior. The music of Queensryche, likewise, could also make me very emotional and reach straight for the heart. But when I turned on the intellectual side of me and really examined what was being fed into my brain, I had to admit that there was a problem. Pure emotionalism without any intellect is indeed a dangerous thing. But if they are kept in balance with sound, intellectual doctrine, the emotion of music, can, imo, be useful.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
  3. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    Yeah, I've always liked them. I guess most people still know them from "Third Rate Romance" but they're still out there.


    Now Playing: Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs
     
  4. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Just as the heart is not disconnected from the mind, the mind is not disconnected from the heart.

    It is modernist rational reductionism that says that all truth must be recieved through the intellect first.

    Just as the mind touches the heart, the heart also touches the mind.

    Turning off your intellect is not a wise thing to do.
     
  5. Travelsong

    Travelsong Guest

    All truth must be first recognized and lastly acted upon with the intellect. The emotional core of our nature can serve as an excellent compass, but it will lead us astray when we relinquish our will to it.
     
  6. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Music is unique. It crosses back and forth between the external logic (Greek/male) and internal intuitive (Jewish/female) mindset. And reaches everyone.

    I preach with intensity using the narrow absolutes of Greek logic. I seek music to reach the other side that the most golden-tongued could not reach.

    But even the most beautiful and soul-touching music MUST have order and correct doctrine to appeal to me! [​IMG]
    </font>[/QUOTE]Excellent post!
     
  7. Pete

    Pete New Member

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    I think the statement is true, which makes the real question whether or not it's a good thing or bad.

    Compare the number of people that can repeat 3 main points of a great sermon a week later against the number of people that could recite 3 verses of a theological train-wreck of a song a year later just because it had some nice 2/4/6 chords.

    On the plus side look at the hymns of Watts & Wesley that are still with us.
     
  8. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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  9. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    Given the society we live in, I don't think the idea that we get our theology from superficial sources is all that farfetched. After all, there was just a poll out that said that a growing number of young people get their news information from late night talk show monologues and the "Daily Show".

    As far as hymns go, obviously a hymn is no substitute for Bible study and good expositional preaching but hymns can be a good part of a well balanced spiritual life in that they help us to codify our beliefs and make deep spiritual truths simple and easy to digest.

    I keep a hymnal by my bedside to use in my private devotional time for just this reason. I enjoy incorporating the beautiful and deeply satisfying words into my time with God.

    I also have to be honest and admit that much of my theological wiring comes from the Carter Stanley and Carl Story songs I heard as a child.

    I truly believe that these two men are as great hymn writers as Wesley or Fanny Crosby.


    Now Playing: Jack Mosley – "The Nature of an Island”
     
  10. Liz Ward

    Liz Ward New Member

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    85% of what people know about God comes through hymns? Thank God, said reverently, that it does. That's how I got saved.

    Liz
     
  11. bobbyd

    bobbyd New Member

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    OK, if it hasn't been said before, let me throw this in to think about...in light of Warren's comment about music and sermons: How many hymns of Wesley can you name and how many sermons of Wesley can you name?
     
  12. av1611jim

    av1611jim New Member

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    Since I have never read any of Wesley's sermons but I have sung many many of his or his brother's songs...

    In HIS service;
    Jim
     
  13. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    I can't see how this is particularly relevant since the issue is not what is memorable vs. what is not. The issue is simply this: Should the gospel bypass the intellect to go to the emotions? Warren says it should. The answer to that must be unequivocally no. The emotions are properly engaged only when the intellect has been properly engaged. To bypass the intellect for the emotions is manipulation and it has no place in the preaching of the word of God.
     
  14. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    Quote: "The issue is simply this: Should the gospel bypass the intellect to go to the emotions? Warren says it should."

    Good grief!!! That's not even close to what he said. It's pretty simple english and you'd think an educated person wouldn't have that much trouble reading and understanding what he said.

    He never said a word about having the gospel bypass the intellect. He said intellectual BARRIERS. I can think of tons of those. Barriers could include things taught by a humanistic science teacher. Or something hatefull said by a Sunday School teacher. Or misperceptions about what church is all about. Again, read it slowly - intellectual BARRIERS.

    And secondly, he did not say a word about emotions. You are adding that in there to help make whatever point it is you're trying to make.
     
  15. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    Here's the quote one more time:

    "A song can often touch people in a way that a sermon can't. Music can bypass intellectual barriers and take the message straight to the heart."
     
  16. bobbyd

    bobbyd New Member

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    My point about Wesley goes along with what we are discussing, IMHO.

    Personally, i can't tell you what was preached on the night i was saved...but i remember the song that was sung right after a testimony was given that verified with me that i was lost and needed Jesus. To this day when i hear "Champion of Love" i remember that night.

    Music does have a way of reaching us in ways that the spoken or the preached word can't sometimes. Does that mean it supercedes the preaching of the Gospel? NO, NO and NO!

    So i do agree to some extent with what Warren says, music can sometimes break through barriers.

    And i go back to the fact that i can name a handful of Wesley's hymns, but couldn't tell you a single thing about any of this sermons...i have no idea why, but for whatever reason the music has inbedded itself in my mind in a way that the preached word did not.

    just my 2 cents...hopefully i'll have enough for a cup of coffee soon.

    in HIS grip
    bobbyd
     
  17. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    YOu'd think ... especially since you quoted it yourself. Here it is again, copied from your post: "A song can often touch people in a way that a sermon can't. Music can bypass intellectual barriers and take the message straight to the heart." Now, what "message" do think you he is bypassing intellectual barriers with? Knowing Warren, I think he means the gospel. Hence, the point is about the gospel bypassing intellectual barriers. What did I say? Exactly that ... that he wants the gospel message to bypass the intellectual things that would hold it up.

    Secondly, with respect to the "heart," what do you think the heart is? It is the emotions, in common speech. Once again, knowing Warren, I think that is clearly what he means. Perhaps you haven't studied Warren much, or read his books, but this seems very consistent with what Warren says and does.

    A bad SS teache or hateful person is not an intellectual barrier. That is a personal one. Don't get confused on that. You have to place this quote in the whole context of Warren's ministry, both what he says and does. When you do that, it seems to me to be pretty clear as to what he is trying to say. And I think we should all reject it.

    [ May 13, 2005, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: Pastor Larry ]
     
  18. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    There is no doubt that music can "speak" to people in ways that speech sometimes cannot. The question is, How much of a role should that play in our ministry of the gospel. My answer is that it should complement it, not bypass it. The gospel must first and foremost hit the intellect, at the realm of knowledge. Man's intellectual barriers are things like "I am not that bad," or "I have a sinned a little, but I can reform a bit and make it right." Music is a language that appeals to the emotions of man, and hence, the danger enters. Because you can find yourself responding emotionally and physically to utter heresy, simply because the tune is catchy and the band can really pull it off. And the message is getting hidden.
     
  19. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    Several points. The heart does include your emotions, but it's not only the emotions. It's also your mind and your will. You cannot seperate your intellect from your mind, will and emotions.

    And you are wrong about intellectual barriers. If someone at a young age is hurt by a person who's a leader in church - say a SS teacher - then that person can easily come to the conclusion that Christians are narrow minded, hateful people, and using his intellect, make the decision that he doesn't want to be one.

    Looks to me like yor've made up your mind to be against anything associated with RW and will grasp at any straw to make a point. But this time, as usual, Rick Warren is spot on right. If not, you should cancel all music at your church immediately. Heaven forbid someone come to Christ any way other than preaching.
     
  20. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    How nice of you to read Rick Warren's mind, translate his words to what he "really" means and use typical strawman tactics to attack someone you don't like.

    And even if your mind reading translation was correct (which it isn't), I also disagree with this statement.

    It is rational modernist reductionism that says that the intellect is the gate to all truth and that the heart is separate from the intellect.

    The understanding and percieving with your heart that Warren is talking about is biblically from Isaiah and quoted by John.

     
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