Music, An Introduction (part 1)

The issue of music has become a "hot-button" topic in the modern day church. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to "solve" the issue. Often, when seeking to promote one view or another, men have used specific scripture texts seeking to prove their argument. This approach is flawed from the start, as both groups have foundational differences leading to varying approaches to issues like music. Before dealing specifically with the issue of music, these specific "presuppositions" must be dealt with. The heart of the issue is one's view of culture. We must then ask ourselves, "What is the Scripture's view of culture?" This question has been answered in two ways: (1) scripture calls us to "come out from among them and be separate", or (2) scripture does not take a stance regarding culture and we are then called to be like Paul when entering Athens, using culture to win the lost.

Before beginning to form your arguments in favor of or against these two statements, let us look at the question asked more deeply. At the heart of this question is our relationship to culture. It is due to this question and it's various answers that we have begun to promote a "culture-based" theology of morals. We begin to define ourselves by our relationship to culture, either negatively or positively. Is this how we are to be defining ourselves??? We have become culture-centered, defining our actions (and their "goodness" or "badness") by their relationship to the world!

Paul, in the book of Colossians, has much to say regarding our focus for life and ministry. He declares confidently that Christ should be the center of all we, as Christians, do. In 2:2-4 he says:

"that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments."

Paul describes his desire for the Colossians to "reach all the riches". . .of what? The riches mentioned are found in a "full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery." This great mystery is "Christ!" Everything we need for life and ministry is found in the person of Jesus Christ. This is the positive truth regarding our only true definition for holiness! The negative truth is also referenced by Paul. The reason Paul makes such a "big deal" out of Christ being our only motivation for ministry is so that "no one may delude you with plausible arguments." Arguments like, "do not handle, do not taste, do not touch (2:21)." Paul says that we should not use rules relating to culture (or the philosophy of this age) to decide how we are to think and then act! This is in essence being culture-centered and NOT Christ-centered. We often think of those who become "like the world to win the world" as being culture-centered. This is not technically correct, though. When we become reactionistic, seeking to "not do what culture does", we are equally culture-centered.

So, "How should we view culture?" The answer is, as opposed to gazing intently at culture to help in defining morality and music, we should look to CHRIST. When He becomes our center for everything (not just the Person we believed in for salvation) our view of culture will change drastically.

• From a negative perspective, when we base our holiness upon culture, we are bound to change our definition to "keep up" with culture. When we pass off the scene, who will there be left to help find the wrong and right aspects of culture?
  
• Positively, when we allow our spirituality to be defined in Christ, we teach right doctrine, which will never change! This right doctrine about Christ and His work will then form the basis for developing biblical principles that can be used to deal with any spiritual issue.
  

Thus, we must filter every issue we face through the "grid" of the Person and work of Christ (and not culture). We should not take either of the normal positions listed at the beginning (either negative or positive) as our relation to culture, but should instead define our lives in relationship to Christ. When this is done, we will be able to look at culture (any culture) and be able to walk worthy of our calling. We need not be reactive but proactive, pursuing an ever deepening knowledge of Christ. Soli Deo Gloria