No, I'm not a big fan, but the surrender of a formerly starry-eyed "change the world with a song" idealist is intriguing. Here is the gist of the article if you decide not to follow the link...
"I know that the time when music could change the world is past. I really doubt that a single song can make a difference. It is a reality," Young told reporters.
It appears that Mr. Young's disgust stems from the fact that his 2006 Anti-War Tour had no impact on voters.
As songwriters, we sometimes have an overly inflated view of the power of what we do. Please, don't misunderstand me. I would be one of the last to write off the transcendent power of music. Music can stir the soul in ways that the most eloquent of speakers envy. Songs have offered hope to the hopeless, comfort to the troubled, and strength to those enduring great hardships. The skilled marriage of lyrics and melody occasionally give us a peek into the heavenly. The healing power of a song has been well documented.
But, alas, I reluctantly have to agree, music cannot change the world.
I have racked my feeble brain to find a single instance. I'm sure we could find personal anecdotes concerning how a song touched a soul, softened a heart, or gave resolve to a wavering spirit. Many of my dear readers (okay, at least one of my two readers...) could name at least one song that helped then through a rough patch along life's road. But, please, if you can think of one that CHANGED THE WORLD, leave me a comment.
Herein lies the quandary. More often than not we singers, songwriters, worship leaders, etc., act as though music is the main focus in the body of Christ (and consequently the main event in corporate worship). Additionally we have somehow declared that Music=Worship. (I know, someone is ready to pull out their "Worship is a lifestyle" bumper sticker - That's a totally different discussion...Um, maybe we'll tackle that one later.)
My point is that as vitally important as music is, and as incredibly powerful as music is, 1st Corinthians 1:21 plainly states that God has ordained preaching as the primary method to bring the lost into the way of Salvation. Music is indeed powerful in the capacity for which God intended it. But it shouldn't usurp the preaching (foolish as it may seem) of the Word of God.
So here is where I'm hoping some of you will pipe in. I have searched the New Testament and find nowhere where music is to be used as an evangelistic tool. Nor do I see where it is to overshadow the preaching of Scriptures. Am I saying that is what is currently happening? Not sure.
Tangent alert - We do have a brief list of music's use within the context of the Body of Christ (Eph 5:19, Col. 3:16). I realize that the list does not say these are the only uses (plus I only looked @ NT references), and I'm sure that some could relate an experience of how a song opened the door to salvation. I seem to recall reading an article years ago that stated that Christian music is overwhelmingly purchased by, wait for it, Christians (something like 98%). So, according to that, our music isn't really reaching the world...at the retail level, anyway.
So, without getting worked up into a lather or shouting at each other, what are your thoughts when it comes to the place music current holds in the church and more specifically music as evangelism? Do you see music going beyond it's Scripturally intended role, or does it need more space? Scripturally should we focus our music toward the lost or dually toward God and the body of Christ, or all three?
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Now playing: Travis Cottrell - Sanctus
via FoxyTunes
5 comments:
Wouldn't it have been easier to simply say that you are concerned with what appears to be the marginalization of the simple preaching of the cross, with music being a noble but inferior substitute for said preaching?
Is the flying monkey your alter ego? He's go a point there. . . .
THERE's a can of worms, especially knowing a bunch of musicians read this! Well, after reading your inflammatory words I had to respond! I pretty much agree with you. Music is not what equips the church to reach the world, knowlege is! In a church service, I see the music portion as dessert and preaching as the meat and vegetables. You can't survive on just dessert. But sometimes you hear a song that echos whats in your heart and you say, "YES, THAT'S how I feel!" Christian music really is for the edification of the body. The only time I might disagree with that is when it comes to teenagers. A teenager might be more likely to invite a non-christian friend to a christian concert or lend them a CD and that could be used as a tool but how many times do we grown ups do that?
BUT at the same time I see music as being an important part of the edifcation of the body.
M - Haven't decided exactly what (or who) TFM is. He is evolving...
Susan - Didn't mean to be inflammatory, just thought provoking. you'll know when I intend to inflame ;)
Whoever TFM is, I like him! He's fun! Maybe I'll develop my own version . . .
In regards to music, this is the way I see P&W. . .we start out coming together. Praise just reminds US of who God is, what He has done, and how much we have to be thankful for. It centers us on Him. That gives way to worship. And when we are all in unity, the Spirit comes and our hearts can be prepared for change through the washing of the word. It's like the presoak/stain treatment cycle before the real washing begins. :-)
As far as an evangelistic tool, I think that it does get used that way, just not often enough. Hmmmm . . . maybe we ought to do something about that.
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