You can’t study music as a Christian for any length of time without stumbling across one of the hottest battlefields of Christianity today: the fundamentals of music (if such fundamentals exist). Unfortunately, the topic of Christian music carries a stigma implanted by carnality in Christians from all areas of the spectrum. The fact is, we as descendants of Adam are a fallen race, and are prone to allow our sinful natures to bare their ugly teeth when we feel our position is being questioned. The main problem is that we often start from the wrong reference point: ourselves. In Romans 8:17, Paul says
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…”
Paul reaffirms the fact that even as Christians, though out spirit has been sanctified by Christ’s blood, our flesh has not changed. We still bear our sin nature, and our viewpoint will often be tainted by it. That’s why it’s so important to start from the right reference point!
Ok, so for us to have a solid foundation on which to build our music philosophy and establish principles, we must have an all-reliable source, a source untainted by man’s flawed opinions, and a source that has stood the test of time. There’s only one thing that matches this description perfectly, and that’s God’s Word.
The Bible is the only completely reliable source we will ever need. 2 Timothy 3:16 says
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
God’s Word is sufficient for the establishment of the doctrines of Christian music.
Now, earlier I said “if such fundamentals exist.” In basic terms, I’m asking if God has set clear parameters in His Word (which we have already determined to be the sole authority) that apply to the area of music. Let’s see what God’s Word has to say.
Colossians 3:16 says
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
There is so much in this verse that could span over several articles, and there are so many other verses that teach godly fundamental principles that apply to music; but what I want to highlight is the simple fact that God has deemed it important enough to specifically mention qualifications of godly music; and God certainly has the right to instruct us about music, because He created it! John 1:3 tells us
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
All things includes music, so as the saying goes, “there’s an end of it!”
God’s Word is the only source that is reliable enough to depend on for forming our doctrines and philosophies on music. The Bible should be the first place we go to find the real truth about music, and also deserves to have the conclusive and final say.