How Should We Judge Music?

[thebiblicalway]

Here’s a question that has perplexed me my entire life: What standards can we use for judging the morality and quality of music? (It's important to me, because I love to listen to music, and I want to be sure that it's good music.) Many people consider music (minus lyrics) to be amoral, but I’m an absolutist and believe that there is only black

Comments

[arcticfidelity]

I would have to say that a lot of music is to be considered on the note of what it can do to you, how it affects your attitude, etc. I think that a lot of music has a very negative effect on a lot of people

[thebiblicalway]

I think that a lot of music has a very negative effect on a lot of people.

Absolutely agree. Music was originally created for worship (the angels were singing before man was created), I believe, and much modern music is anything but worshipful. Instead, most modern music is man-centered, pride inducing, or sensual in nature. Yet, I'm not willing to say that how music affects me is a good enough measure of whether it is God-honoring or not. There must be much less subjective measurements of that, it would seem.

I think that verse about whatever is good, whatever is holy, etc. is a very good verse to go by here.

Yes, agreed. However, is there not a place for spooky music or tense music, say, for example, in a movie? True, that isn't worshipful music, but perhaps the Fall has made a need for less than worshipful music, as we express fear and other emotions in music. Just a thought...

I have to admit that I LIKE the music they produce

OK, I'm not going to touch that...

All in all, we should have the glory of God as our goal.

[arcticfidelity]

Haha, yeah, things like Linkin Park are a very dangerous thing to deal with

[thebiblicalway]

Hey, excellent thoughts, Aaron! I've enjoyed reading them...

About music before the creation of man. What I was referring to was Job 38:7, which says, "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Many believe that the "morning stars" in that verse refers to angels. But, feel free to disagree; I won't mind.

When you talk about spooky or tense music, you seem to be saying that it cannot, for the simple reason of it being powerfully "impending", be godly or good.

You have a really good point that needs to be considered. Certainly there can be wholesome music that contains disharmonious, dissonant, edgy or tense elements. I don't see any problem with that. As you say, the Bible contains violent and otherwise gory parts, but taken as a whole, it is lovely and good (Phil 4 as you mentioned). If music were composed for various parts of the Bible, I can imagine a large spectrum of music--including disturbing music.

And I do not think music was intended to be solely "worship," but there are many

[purpleluvr85]

I think music is a struggle for alot of people. Usually, I stick to music that would uplift you and glorify God. It also depends on the kind of music ( not only the lyrics ). See, I would listen to Steve Green but I don't listen to alot of these new age so called christian music groups. When I come down to visit I plan on bringing some of my cd's w/ me for the plane ride so if you want, you can listen to them. The ones I'm bringing are pretty much the type that I listen to. =) This is a good topic!

[thebiblicalway]

Thanks for the input, Korina. It seems everyone else is intimidated, or something, by these questions about music. =P I don't know... Maybe they're resting from other debates.

Usually, I stick to music that would uplift you and glorify God.

I like that kind of thinking. That would seem biblically to be the main purpose of music: to be used in worship of God.

Steve Green

Cool, cool. He's one of my fav. artists, though I skip some of his songs--I'm sensitive, I guess.

so called christian music groups

I know what you mean. Too many musical artists seem to be after the cash and not out to edify and honor God.

[numbugz]

I am always interested in music discussions but am totally undecided myself, so I don't have much to say personally. Thanks for bringing it up though. *eagerly awaits further thoughts*

[thebiblicalway]

Well, any of your thoughts are appreciated, even if they aren't solidified yet. Mine aren't too well, either. Currently, I basically go by what seems to be good or worshipful music; however, I'm not content to have that as my life-long practice.

[thebiblicalway]

Hi. Thanks for the comments...

I think maybe it depends on the person listening to the music.

It does seem that way. I have a friend who said that rock music never adversely affected him. With my limited knowledge on the subject, I would disagree, however. It seems like some people become accustomed to various music genres, and become less aware of the emotional affects of the music. They may also become less affected by it as well--I'm not sure...

I might be able to really glorify God with a song that others might skip on their Steve Green CD.

I hope you're right. :)

[godmytreasure]

I don't think music is amoral. It can be used for good and to glorify God, or the devil can use it in our lives to drag us down spiritually....and he will definitely try to do this

[thebiblicalway]

Hi! Good comments. I agree in general with what you say, but I do have a question...

If we are not married...then we have no business listening to romantic music...

Hmm. I think I agree, but I'm trying to apply this to myself, and think about a broader application. How far should this principle be taken, do you think? Does that mean no romantic piano music? Also, can this principle be applied to novels/movies/Bible? That is, should we avoid novels, movies, and Bible passages with romance as well? I'm thinking aloud; I really haven't considered these questions myself too much yet...

I'd be happy to hear some more of your thoughts on this!

[godmytreasure]

Flee Youthful Lusts....

Meditate on these words and ask yourself what you think the author was referring to? What do you think?

Nice soft piano music without the words doesn't necessarily stir up romantic, sexual feelings, does it? Usually it just calms, soothes, and relaxes....and if scriptural words were added, it would create worship. But if romantic words are added, it can stir up the sensual feelings.

I think if most are truly honest they would say that romantic novels, movies, and yes, even the Song of Solomon affects them in a sensual way, at least if they truly meditate deeply on it. I understand that the Jewish people in olden times did not let their children read this part of the Bible until they were ready for it.

I don't even believe it's good for married people to watch romantic movies. They should create their own romance, not watch movie actors (that aren't even married) kissing on the screen. :)

[thebiblicalway]

It sounds like we're in agreement, then.

I was considering several "romantic" piano music CDs that I have, and whether or not I should throw them out (gotta love piano music :). That kind of music is, as you say, generally soothing. And no, I don't think soft piano music evokes sexual feelings. There's also a Josh Groban CD that I own... Probably half of them, though, I choose to skip due to the words/rockiness. (OK, let it be known that I don't listen to peaceful, tranquil music exclusively. A variety is good.)

There are a few atypical "romantic" movies that I've enjoyed in the past, like Sarah Plain and Tall, and Anne of Green Gables. But, in general, I agree that they should be avoided. Same for books. Several years back I read some Janette Oke books -- which might be classified as romantic novels -- but they seemed good, from the little I remember. They're probably atypical as well.

[redbandanna]

Very interesting post, Joel... and I would've commented earlier, but I've had a limited time on the computer and haven't been able to keep up with everything.

Dave (aka David, heart2pen) started a discussion about this not too long ago. I was looking on his journal to find the post so I could post the link, but I guess it was too far back.

Anyway...

I have wrestled with this question of music over and over, but I still haven't come to a resolution in my mind regarding the issue.

At this point I'd have to say that I wouldn't condemm any kind of music for it's structure. I don't believe that there is a good kind of structure or a bad kind of structure. It all depends on the situation and the person listening to it.

This is one thing I do believe, though. Even if it is possible to listen to rock music a little bit and not be adversely affected, I think the majority of our listening music should be uplifting... and not just "okay" on the scale from 1 to 10.

[thebiblicalway]

:) Yeah, you started a real firestorm of comments with your post on jewelry.

Dave...started a discussion about this not too long ago.

Ah, so maybe that's why several people haven't commented on this topic. I'll have to go find Dave's entry...

...I wouldn't condemn any kind of music for it's structure.Hmm. Let's start with something that we agree on. There is tasteful music and distasteful music, right? Anyone could compose very poor quality music. We could call it poor quality due to lack of harmony or progression, etc. If I played random notes on the piano, almost everyone would agree it was worthless in a "structural" sense--IOW bad music, because it lacks creativity and musicality. From there it's not a huge stretch to say there could be a type/kind of music that was uncreative or mostly unmusical in nature... or that affects a majority of people negatively (e.g. eliciting anger or fear