GREY OR NOT?

I have been considering “grey” decisions, decisions that are not clear on whether or not they are right or wrong according to scripture. People can deny up and down that those things exist, but in fact, they do. We all could give example after example where one group of believers thinks is wrong and another right; yet we find nothing saying either way in the Bible. The meter should be the Bible obviously, but what do you do with these issues that are not clear? Any people say that anything that causes someone to question your walk is wrong so what does it mean when people question your witness? That varies from person to person. Some think that cohabitating causes it; some think that cussing causes it; some think that drinking causes it. The fact is that we must look at what the world in general thinks. In other words, what is it that would make the world question our walk with Christ? Certainly we have all done things that would cause those who do not believe and perhaps those who do to question our devotion to Christ, some more than others, and I speak about myself in that statement. Nevertheless, do the things that most believers say are questionable truly questionable to the world today. I submit that they are not. In fact, many would question someone’s walk for having fun as much as some would for cussing so we cannot use the world as the meter for determining whether or not something is right or wrong. There are those who would believe that Christians are not to have any fun or their devotion is quenched believe it or not. This question should be answered by the individual believer. We cannot answer it as a whole. This is not moral relativism. In fact, it is completely the opposite. It is moral relativism that says what is right for one person might not be right for another. What I am saying is that the “black and white” things of scripture should be acknowledged and followed accordingly. However, the “grey” areas should be determined by each individual according to what the Holy Spirit says to that person.

MATH IN MUSIC? HUH?!

One reason I chose music, specifically music theory, for my field of study and practice is because math is not required. That is what I thought at least. I am now taking a post-tonal music theory class at Tech, a class which focuses on analyzing strictly non-tertian music. In doing so, we see things such as this:

So I ask you, “Does this look like math?” The obvious answer would be, “Yes.” This indeed is math, and to be honest, it can be quite complicated at times. Particular formulas are necessary for specific functions involved in analyzing the music so in this class, I find myself adding, subtracting, converting, using graphs and charts, finding Z-relations and pitch-class sets, etc.. I enjoy it because my brain is a mathematical brain seeing things in a black and white manner and being very methodical and analytical in my approach to figuring things out. However, math also causes much frustration, particularly when I don’t remember a formula or perform the action incorrectly. If you want to be thoroughly confused or want something interesting to study, take a look at post-tonal analysis (set theory). It will give you pure joy…or perhaps not. I say all this to give you a big scream. Ahhhh!!!

STATE OF THE MUSICAL ARTS IN THE CHURCH

I have been considering traditional church music, namely the loss of high art music in the church. Why is it that quality art has all but completely vanished from the church? In other words, why is it that the church has dumbed down the artistic value of music within the context of worship? In many ways, there is an anti-intellectual movement in the church currently. The truth is that legitimate art music (non-popular music) requires a higher level of intellectual involvement than that which is found in most churches today. This used to not be so perhaps because the popular music in centuries past represented the highest level of artistic achievement rather than what pleased the ears. In considering this fact, it occurs to me that giving in to the wants and desires of people in the music utilized in church creates a path toward selfishness. “Wants and desires” summarizes the reason for presenting low art music above high art music. The story, however, would be vastly disparate if the summary were not wants and desires but rather needs. The wants and desires of the church are, for lack of a better term, shallow, but the needs are incredibly deep, particularly in the area of church music. We must consider this in the future. I somehow doubt we will though. This is not a slam on popular music, as I myself tend to enjoy it, realize its legitimacy, and even support it (as is evident in my personal utilization of it in the context of corporate worship), but we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater, which is obviously happening in the current context of the church. Taking the current path, the high art music of the church in times past is fading and unless people rise up together to stop its demise, shallow intellect will dominate the church.