Chiefmusician
Puritan Board Freshman
After reading several post in this topic I saw many passing comments about how solos=performance etc. So I would like someone to explain something to me.
There is a lot of talk among reformed circles concerning the move away from congregational singing. Their argument is that the seeker movement has turned church music into a spectator event. While this may or may not be true I believe we need to face the fact that congregational singing is not the only singing that God intended for the church.
Historically the Old Testament reveals a lot to us about the use of individuals with great talent in worship. Men were set aside strictly for the purpose of writing songs of worship and praise to the Lord. These men were extremely gifted in their craft, whether it was playing an instrument or the singing of Psalms. We have no reason to assume these Psalms where always sung by the entire congregation of the temple. We do know for sure that numerous songs were sung by choirs.
What I have discovered about a majority of theologians or theologian wannabes is that they don’t really appreciate musical talent. Oh they recognize talent when they see it, but don’t appreciate it unless it falls into their particular preference of music. In my view they sometimes fail to see the emotional side of music. (many fail to see the emotional side to Christianity) but like Jonathan Edwards said, “yet true religion consists so much in the affections, that there can be no true religion without them. He who has no religious affection, is in a state of spiritual death, and is wholly destitute of the powerful, quickening, saving influences of the Spirit of God upon his heart.”
In reformed camps, if a song is not theologically as deep as Bill Gates pockets, then it is usually written off as not worthy of singing. I find however, a simple song of praise can rightly stir the affections of the soul as much as a great hymn, if it is truly Biblical in its message. There is more to music than its ability to help retain knowledge. One of the purposes of music is to stir the emotions of the heart. If not then why not just read the lyrics. We should choose songs that allow us to attach these emotions to the truth of scripture, but to act as if emotions don't play a part is deny aspects of anthropology.
I am a singer. I play several instruments, but in my heart I am a singer. I am actually a good singer. I know how that sounds, conceited, right? With the recent American Idol craze I don’t blame you for not taking my word for it. You will just have to assume for the sake of this forum that I know what I am talking about (my singing that is). I have been given the ability to sing well. Most of my congregation has not. When singing a solo I try hard to keep my pride in check, I try to live a life that will glorify God, and try equally hard to sing songs that bring God glory, and sing them in such a way that God is honored. When it comes to congregational singing no one enjoys it more than me. One of my favorite times in a service is when a song has a true corporate voice and I can hear them praising God together as a body of believers, but I also like to sing solos and I life to hear solos.. I believe it is one of the talents God has given me. I also believe that when certain songs are sung by the right individuals our congregation is edified.
There are others maybe in your congregation that have a great talent to sing, but you may never know it. Some may have a great ability to play an instrument.
I can tell you as a singer that I want to sing. So please, those of you who don’t really even like music don’t begrudge us poor singers the opportunity to share our talents. I believe God likes solos.
If there should be no solos or instruments tell us poor musicians when and where we are supposed to use these talents to glorify God and edify the body?
There is a lot of talk among reformed circles concerning the move away from congregational singing. Their argument is that the seeker movement has turned church music into a spectator event. While this may or may not be true I believe we need to face the fact that congregational singing is not the only singing that God intended for the church.
Historically the Old Testament reveals a lot to us about the use of individuals with great talent in worship. Men were set aside strictly for the purpose of writing songs of worship and praise to the Lord. These men were extremely gifted in their craft, whether it was playing an instrument or the singing of Psalms. We have no reason to assume these Psalms where always sung by the entire congregation of the temple. We do know for sure that numerous songs were sung by choirs.
What I have discovered about a majority of theologians or theologian wannabes is that they don’t really appreciate musical talent. Oh they recognize talent when they see it, but don’t appreciate it unless it falls into their particular preference of music. In my view they sometimes fail to see the emotional side of music. (many fail to see the emotional side to Christianity) but like Jonathan Edwards said, “yet true religion consists so much in the affections, that there can be no true religion without them. He who has no religious affection, is in a state of spiritual death, and is wholly destitute of the powerful, quickening, saving influences of the Spirit of God upon his heart.”
In reformed camps, if a song is not theologically as deep as Bill Gates pockets, then it is usually written off as not worthy of singing. I find however, a simple song of praise can rightly stir the affections of the soul as much as a great hymn, if it is truly Biblical in its message. There is more to music than its ability to help retain knowledge. One of the purposes of music is to stir the emotions of the heart. If not then why not just read the lyrics. We should choose songs that allow us to attach these emotions to the truth of scripture, but to act as if emotions don't play a part is deny aspects of anthropology.
I am a singer. I play several instruments, but in my heart I am a singer. I am actually a good singer. I know how that sounds, conceited, right? With the recent American Idol craze I don’t blame you for not taking my word for it. You will just have to assume for the sake of this forum that I know what I am talking about (my singing that is). I have been given the ability to sing well. Most of my congregation has not. When singing a solo I try hard to keep my pride in check, I try to live a life that will glorify God, and try equally hard to sing songs that bring God glory, and sing them in such a way that God is honored. When it comes to congregational singing no one enjoys it more than me. One of my favorite times in a service is when a song has a true corporate voice and I can hear them praising God together as a body of believers, but I also like to sing solos and I life to hear solos.. I believe it is one of the talents God has given me. I also believe that when certain songs are sung by the right individuals our congregation is edified.
There are others maybe in your congregation that have a great talent to sing, but you may never know it. Some may have a great ability to play an instrument.
I can tell you as a singer that I want to sing. So please, those of you who don’t really even like music don’t begrudge us poor singers the opportunity to share our talents. I believe God likes solos.
If there should be no solos or instruments tell us poor musicians when and where we are supposed to use these talents to glorify God and edify the body?