It has been a while since I played guitar. Yes, I play the acoustic guitar sometimes while leading worship, but that to me is not real playing.
I had turned down a major record deal in 1997 because the words of the music I recorded did not go in line with my new found faith. Now 14 years later, though I am convinced that what I did was the biblical thing to do, I still can’t help wondering why the music I hear in church does not excite me as much as secular music did before I was saved.
Sure, there are amazing worship songs, but no matter how I play them and how deep the presence of God is, it is rare that I feel I am not playing second rate music. Shaving with a dull razor comes to mind, or chopping with a dull axe, you know, no edge! Perhaps it is my musical taste or heritage, call it whatever you want, but I can’t deny this anymore. Besides, secular muscicians seem to have more fun; no, I am not talking about sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, but about having fun with the music they play.
So I started hunting the web for Christian musicians that I can respect, not just skill, but soul. Mike Farris is one, and I was blessed when I was even able to buy two of his CDs. He is rare, and I am still looking for more.
This search has now lead me back to my roots; blues based soul, but it has been a long long time since I even dared to walk that way. To make sure that I got my perspective right, I went back to my spiritual roots as well. Way back in 1997, around the time I got saved, I was given a copy of “Hell’s Bells: The Dangers of Rock n Roll”. This film is what made me search for backward masking in the recording I made before I met Jesus; which I found (more on that here: http://reconcenter.com/index.php/about/mmusic/backward-masking/) and played a major role in my turning the record deal down.
Something Eric Holmberg said about in the Hells Bells video’s introduction got me thinking. I thought I’d share that with you.
Throughout the ages, wise men have noted music’s profound impact on its listeners. For example, over 2,000 years before the birth of Christ, the musical systems of China were both highly developed and central to its society. It was to this that the philosophers directed much of their attention. Understanding its intrinsic power, they carefully checked their music to make sure that it conveyed eternal truths and could thus influence man’s character for the better
To this end, tradition states that one emperor, by the name of Shun, would monitor the health of each of the provinces of this vast kingdom by simply examining the music they produced. Course and sensual sounds indicated a sick society, one in need of his intervention and assistance.
Two thousand years later the Greek philosopher, Plato, echoed the sentiments of Emperor Shun when he said, “When modes of music change the fundamental laws of the state change with them.”
David Tame, The Secret Power of Music (Destiny Books, 1984) p.34
Here is what some ‘other’ people thought about music.
Plato – ” Through foolishness, they deceived themselves into thinking that there was no right or wrong in music, that it was to be judged good or bad by the pleasure it gave”
Aristotle – Music has the power to form character
Lenin – One quick way to destroy a society is through its music
Bach – The end of all music should be the glory of God and the refreshment of the human spirit.
I agree with Johann Sebastian Bach. The end of all music should be the glory of God and the refreshment of the human spirit.
To that end I have taken my harp down. I’m excited. Please keep me in prayer.