Bad Music is Destroying the Church

The Catholic Herald ^ | October 2006 | James MacMillan

[ArrogantBustard]

duck-n-cover .... yeah, it can get that way.

Seriously, though: I make no promises, but it's a good bet when you're traveling. Most 'liturgical abuses' seem, in my experience, to come from the "minister of music" not the priest. It wasn't always this way, but that's been my experience of late ... so if you want pure worship (the Mass) and no nonsense, avoid the "minister of music".

[newgeezer]

As Christians, we are no longer under the Old Law.

Yes, of course.

But, when people pointed you to Psalms 149 and 150, which specifically mention playing musical instruments in praising God, you responded by saying the OT is not binding for Christians. How you relate the OT Law to the Psalms remains unclear to me. No one was saying those Psalms commanded the playing of instruments. Are you?

At any rate, it seems what you're saying is, although it used to be good to praise the Lord in the playing of musical instruments, something about the New Covenant has made musical instruments unacceptable, or even bad, for praise and/or worship. Correct?

[hemogoblin]

self ping

[siunevada]

Judging by the posts, bad church music seems to be a truly ecumenical subject.

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All That Is Hidden (Bernadette Farrell)
Allelu! (Ray Repp)
Be Not Afraid (Bob Dufford SJ)
Been So Busy (Grayson Warren Brown)
Big God (Sarah Hart; Twila McBride-LaBar)
Bionic Son (Chris Padgett; Bradley DeRosia)
Blinded (Greg Walton)
Brand New Day (Curtis Stephan)
Fish With Me (Ken Canedo)
For Your Love (Tom Kendzia)
Freedom (Trevor Thomson)
Gloria In Excelsis (Curtis Stephan)
Glory And Praise To Our God (Dan Schutte)
Go Make A Difference (Steve Angrisano; Tom Tomaszek)
Green Light (Julie Hoy)
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman (Carey Landry)
Here I Am, Lord (Dan Schutte)
I Will Choose Christ (Tom Booth; Ed Bolduc)
Just Like You (Matt Maher)
Just Live It (Tom Booth; Matt Maher)
Love Has Come (Ed Buldoc; Matt Maher)
On Eagle's Wings (Michael Joncas)
Open My Eyes (Jesse Manibusan)
Our God Is Good (Cooper Ray; Joshua Blakesley)
Our God Is Here (Chris Muglia)
Pencil In Your Hand (Bob Halligan, Jr.)
Pescador de Hombres / Lord You Have Come (Cesáreo Gabaráin)
Prayer of St. Francis (Sebastian Temple)
Sing Of The Lord's Goodness (Ernest Sands; Christopher Walker; Paul Inwood)
Stomp (Bob Halligan, Jr.; Rick Cua)
Sweet Redeemer (Steve Angrisano; Sarah Hart)
Trading My Sorrows (Darrell Evans)
Tú Estás (Frankie González; Andy Andino; Elvin Negrón)
Your Grace Is Enough (Matt Maher)



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[jkl1122]

In the New Testament, we have been commanded to sing (Eph. 5:19, Colossians 3:16). It is a specific command. There is no implication in this command about mechanical instruments. In every example we have of Christians praising God within the New Testament, it is by singing.

[Crusher138]

Then I guess this could be a song to Satan...

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain

Nope, no references to Jesus or God there...

[TommyDale]

Hey, I didn't write it.

[Twinkie]

Every word that I have written to you is backed up by scripture, interspersed within what I have written. Do you not recognize it without chapter and verse cited? I perceive that surely you have hidden His Word in your heart that you might not sin against Him, but then so have many others.

The only thing in this that I think you are "wrong" about is your apparent lack of respect for others' beliefs and rights to their own reading of the Word of God. Disagreeing is your right. - My posts ARE generally too long; I stand corrected. . and I don't feel badly toward you, I wish you the best as I do all people and want them to be saved and ready for the return of Christ -whenever that is. Most of us are just doing the best we can where we are.

I may read in the scriptures where Paul admonishes that women should wear long hair and cover their heads, and I, for example, may deem your sect to be damned because the women get butchy short haircuts and don't cover their heads (with coverings). There is much more scripture dealing with that subject than with mechanical instruments. (In fact, I don't recall any that specifically mentions mechanical instruments.)

The difference is that I give YOU the leeway and Christian love to have the benefit of the doubt, which I think you are unwilling to allow us in the simple matter of musical instruments (about which you cite two verses of scripture that do not even mention mechanical instruments specifically.) You should absolutely NOT go to a church building where there is mechanical music UNLESS you are 100% sure it is not a sin. Of course not, believing about it as you do.

And finally, brethren, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virture, if there be any praise, think on these things. -

[P-Marlowe]

In every example we have of Christians praising God within the New Testament, it is by singing.

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:2-3 KJV)

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:8-9 KJV)

[mjwise]

Some of those aren't completely horrible songs (if I had to choose the "best" from the list, I'd probably choose "Glory and Praise to Our God."). But a lot of them are, and especially when done poorly. I don't recognize even half of them though. What on earth is "Bionic Son" ?

If you want truly bad post-Vatican II songs though, go and find an old 1st generation of the Glory and Praise hymnal and look at some of the songs by one Erich Sylvester. The man was (I'm told) a German beer pub band player and his hymns are written in that vein (!). Absolutely hilarious although totally inappropriate for church. I'd actually say the modern GIA/OCP publications have actually managed to cull a lot of the pure crap that arose in the early 1970's.

[jkl1122]

about which you cite two verses of scripture that do not even mention mechanical instruments specifically

Not only do the verses not mention mechanical instruments specifically, they don't mention them generally or even imply the use of mechanical instruments. Those verses do, however, give a specific way to praise God, and that is by singing and making melody in your heart.

In fact, I don't recall any that specifically mentions mechanical instruments.

Neither do I. However, there are several verses that specifically mention singing (Romans 15:9,1 Corinthians 14:15,Hebrews 2:12,James 5:13).

As you can see, we have no command, example, or necessary implication that mechanical instruments are to be used during worship by Christians. Where does your authority to use mechanical instruments come from?

[P-Marlowe]

And finally, brethren, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virture, if there be any praise, think on these things. -

I have listened to some great music and wondered aloud how anyone could possibly hear such music and deny the existence of God.

Here's a small sample of what I mean. To think that a human being is capable of making that kind of music with nothing more than strings and wood and fingers is nothing short of a miracle.

One can and should be able to praise the Lord with anything at your disposal including your fingers and to deny such a Gift as Billy McLaughlin had from being displayed at church in a worshipful manner is tantamount to burying your talents.

The sample is from Billy McLaughlin's Christmas album called Simple Gifts. You can purchase it here.

:-)

[kawaii]

Oi.

You modernists still use that Organ.

;p

(Orthodox, and quite happy with church music)

[jkl1122]

The nature of Revelation is symbolic. These verses deal with visions of heaven that John was given by God. This is not an example of what the Apostles or the 1st century Christians did in their worship of God.

Also, if what happens in heaven is to be considered an example of what goes on today, then we should no enter into marriage relationships, since they will not exist in heaven.

[jkl1122]

One can and should be able to praise the Lord with anything at your disposal

Okay, so Michael Jordan should be able to worship God by shooting basketball during the service.

[P-Marlowe]

Also, if what happens in heaven is to be considered an example of what goes on today, then we should no enter into marriage relationships, since they will not exist in heaven.

That is the most disconnected argument I have ever read on Free Republic.

Congratulations.

[kawaii]

That'snot exactly universally agreed upon btw (though it was used as an example by those who felt ascetism was ideal and marriage was a sin)

[ladyinred]

Church of Christ correct? What about the instruments mentioned in Psalms? Or is that considered just something for the OT?

[Twinkie]

To not be "under the law", you sure do seem to major on commands. - HEAR THIS! NO ONE is trying to make you NOT sing and make melody in your heart unto the Lord. Praise the Lord you do! We all need to sincerely do more of that. Your interpretation of scripture is not, unfortunately, going to be shared by EVERYONE. Neither is mine. We just have to get over it.

By the way, are you man or woman? Paul said that he suffered the women not to teach the men. Now I risk, in my own personal conviction on the matter, truly going against scripture as I see it if I continue answering you. This thread has already gone to "doubtful disputations", which are as you know are, according to the NT, commanded against.

[Twinkie]

Thanks.