JBaldwin
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
This is a shoot off from the "Power of Music" thread under philosophy.
One of the questions discussed in that thread was "Can music be good or evil?" It occurred to me perhaps a discussion of the definition of music would be helpful. Rather than derail the thread, I just started another one.
Should all music and art reflect glorify God and reflect the order we see in His creation?
The answer should be obvious, but when it comes to music and art so often it comes down to what pleases me or what pleases someone else. It would then follow that if music should glorify God (and I would be shocked if anyone on this board said that it shouldn't) and reflect the order found in creation, then that should be the first filter I use when determining whether or not I should listen to something or enjoy something.
Next, (and I have asked this question on this board before), the definition of music which I was given as a music student in the 1980s was this: "Music is the universal language. It is the organization of sounds. The elements of music are [listed in order of importance] melody, harmony, rhythm, form, dynamics, timbre (tone personality)."
In today's textbooks music is no longer defined as a language, but simply "organized sound" which broadens the definition somewhat. The order of the elements of music (in importance) is Rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, articulation and tempo. I find it interesting that form (even in the Bob Jones University high school music textbook) is not considered an element of music.
How should a Christian define music? And should the definition reflect the kind of order we see in creation?
I would think that once a clear definition is established coupled with what the Scriptures teach about music, it would be very easy to determine what music is appropriate and what music is not appropriate for a believer. Then and only then should we consider a preference for style.
What are your thoughts?
One of the questions discussed in that thread was "Can music be good or evil?" It occurred to me perhaps a discussion of the definition of music would be helpful. Rather than derail the thread, I just started another one.
Should all music and art reflect glorify God and reflect the order we see in His creation?
The answer should be obvious, but when it comes to music and art so often it comes down to what pleases me or what pleases someone else. It would then follow that if music should glorify God (and I would be shocked if anyone on this board said that it shouldn't) and reflect the order found in creation, then that should be the first filter I use when determining whether or not I should listen to something or enjoy something.
Next, (and I have asked this question on this board before), the definition of music which I was given as a music student in the 1980s was this: "Music is the universal language. It is the organization of sounds. The elements of music are [listed in order of importance] melody, harmony, rhythm, form, dynamics, timbre (tone personality)."
In today's textbooks music is no longer defined as a language, but simply "organized sound" which broadens the definition somewhat. The order of the elements of music (in importance) is Rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, articulation and tempo. I find it interesting that form (even in the Bob Jones University high school music textbook) is not considered an element of music.
How should a Christian define music? And should the definition reflect the kind of order we see in creation?
I would think that once a clear definition is established coupled with what the Scriptures teach about music, it would be very easy to determine what music is appropriate and what music is not appropriate for a believer. Then and only then should we consider a preference for style.
What are your thoughts?