Article: What kind of music does God like?

While speaking at a church in Chiba City, Japan, on the topic of music and worship, with material from the sermons and writings of Jonathan Edwards and his view of praise, I was asked a question from a member of the congregation. I had just finished my talk, confident in the theological weight and intellectual stamina of my presentation, bringing this resounding feat of a lecture to a close, when a woman raised her hand and gently asked, "What kind of music does God like?" I stood motionless for a few moments, a glazed look passed over my face, and then profoundly muttered," ... I have no idea ... "

Music in the church is a hot topic. Unfortunately, it is an area that has caused great division within congregations. "Worship Wars" (disagreements over the music used in worship) are an increasing reality in the church, so much so that Christianity Today devoted a cover story to the topic, entitled, "Triumph of the Praise Songs: How guitars beat out the organ in the worship wars" (July 12, 1999). The controversy seems to be almost inevitable given two factors: first, the Bible does not prescribe particular melodies and rhythms to be used for worship; second, the modern world tends to produce a psychology that focuses on self-actualization. So when music becomes a topic for discussion, personal preference and self-fulfillment, rather than Scripture, become the standards of evaluation.

What tends to get overlooked in the discussion about music in worship is the question: What is the standard that God wants us to use? What does Scripture, God's inspired Word, give us as guidance for what kind of music will be used in worship? We can focus on two areas addressed by Scripture that will guide us: first, it tells us how music is to function in worship, and, second, it reveals the character of God, who is the object of our worship.

Scripture presents music as a medium by which we pursue the various elements of worship. The elements of worship refer to everything that is invested with liturgical significance (i.e.-prayer, praise, exhortation, teaching, etc.). These elements are expressed in a variety of ways. For example, prayer may be pursued by means of silent meditation, plain-speech (spoken out loud), or song (adding melody and rhythm). In Colossians 3:16, Paul presents music as a form of teaching, a means of communicating instruction (cf. Ephesians 5:19; 1 Chronicles 25:1).

It is very important to point out that music serves as a means to communicate. In order to communicate coherently, the music must correspond with the message. One cannot communicate the wrath of God in song through ho-down music, nor can one communicate the peace and serenity of the spiritual life by way of thrash metal. In order for intelligible communication, there must be a compatibility between what is communicated and the musical means by which it is communicated. If music is a way of communicating worship, then the criteria for what kind of music will be used must ultimately be determined by the object of that worship. As God is at the center of all the elements of worship (he is the one to whom we pray and praise, and of whom we teach), the musical means by which those elements are pursued must faithfully reflect the God who is at their center. Thus, the character of God, as revealed in Scripture, can serve as the criteria for music used in worship.

So how can we apply the character of God as the criteria for worship music? Jeffrey Ventrella, an apologetics teacher at Bahnsen Theological Seminary, has applied music in worship as an exposition of God's character in the following way:

For example, hum the tune to A Mighty Fortress is Our God. The tune has a sense of victory and triumph -- like "Behold your God!" Then hum the tune to I Love You, Lord. This communicates gentleness and nearness -- like resting in the arms of God. This is an example of how music can convey these two aspects of God - his mighty transcendent victory, and his gentle nearness to his people. God is both the God of Mount Sinai and the woman at the well. Worship music should present both these aspects of God. The God of Mount Sinai is the one who conquered sin, death, and the devil, and who ensures that evil will one day contract and shrivel up in the majestic light of his victorious glory. And the God who had his arm around the woman at the well ensures that we, by his grace, are adopted as his children, assured of his mercy, and compassionately ushered into fellowship with Jesus Christ.

As long as personal taste serves as the ultimate standard of evaluation for our worship music, there will be unresolved controversies. Praise God that we can look to his Word for guidance even in the very melodies of worship that flow from our hearts to his ears. For when we do so, our approach to music will have God's glory at the beginning (rooted in God's character), in the middle (as an exposition of God's character), and at the end (as a medium by which we worship). God will be glorified every step of the way. And that's the kind of music God likes. Arigato!

Steve Turley is founder and president of Fretboard Fellowship Ministries. He is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and is currently pursuing an MAR degree through Reformed Theological Seminary.



	What kind of music does God like? by Steve Turley While speaking at a church in Chiba City, Japan, on the topic of music and worship, with material from the sermons and writings of Jonathan Edwards and his view of praise, I was asked a question from a member of the congregation. I had just finished my talk, confident in the theological weight and intellectual stamina of my presentation, bringing this resounding feat of a lecture to a close, when a woman raised her hand and gently asked, "What kind of music does God like?" I stood motionless for a few moments, a glazed look passed over my face, and then profoundly muttered," ... I have no idea ... " Music in the church is a hot topic. Unfortunately, it is an area that has caused great division within congregations. "Worship Wars" (disagreements over the music used in worship) are an increasing reality in the church, so much so that Christianity Today devoted a cover story to the topic, entitled, "Triumph of the Praise Songs: How guitars beat out the organ in the worship wars" (July 12, 1999). The controversy seems to be almost inevitable given two factors: first, the Bible does not prescribe particular melodies and rhythms to be used for worship; second, the modern world tends to produce a psychology that focuses on self-actualization. So when music becomes a topic for discussion, personal preference and self-fulfillment, rather than Scripture, become the standards of evaluation. What tends to get overlooked in the discussion about music in worship is the question: What is the standard that God wants us to use? What does Scripture, God's inspired Word, give us as guidance for what kind of music will be used in worship? We can focus on two areas addressed by Scripture that will guide us: first, it tells us how music is to function in worship, and, second, it reveals the character of God, who is the object of our worship. Scripture presents music as a medium by which we pursue the various elements of worship. The elements of worship refer to everything that is invested with liturgical significance (i.e.-prayer, praise, exhortation, teaching, etc.). These elements are expressed in a variety of ways. For example, prayer may be pursued by means of silent meditation, plain-speech (spoken out loud), or song (adding melody and rhythm). In Colossians 3:16, Paul presents music as a form of teaching, a means of communicating instruction (cf. Ephesians 5:19; 1 Chronicles 25:1). It is very important to point out that music serves as a means to communicate. In order to communicate coherently, the music must correspond with the message. One cannot communicate the wrath of God in song through ho-down music, nor can one communicate the peace and serenity of the spiritual life by way of thrash metal. In order for intelligible communication, there must be a compatibility between what is communicated and the musical means by which it is communicated. If music is a way of communicating worship, then the criteria for what kind of music will be used must ultimately be determined by the object of that worship. As God is at the center of all the elements of worship (he is the one to whom we pray and praise, and of whom we teach), the musical means by which those elements are pursued must faithfully reflect the God who is at their center. Thus, the character of God, as revealed in Scripture, can serve as the criteria for music used in worship. So how can we apply the character of God as the criteria for worship music? Jeffrey Ventrella, an apologetics teacher at Bahnsen Theological Seminary, has applied music in worship as an exposition of God's character in the following way: The God of Scripture reveals himself from two complimentary perspectives - his transcendence (sovereignty and holiness; i.e. the God of Mount Sinai) and immanence (nearness and incarnation; i.e. Jesus with the woman at the well). Man, created in the image of God, will, in the nature of the case, reflect these dual aspects of God's character in cultural endeavors, which Ventrella translates into Fine and Folk culture. Fine Culture transcends contemporary culture, and tends to promote and refine moral character and preserve the life of the mind. Folk Culture tends to be more familiar and contemporary. The thoughtful and prayerful use of Fine and Folk music in worship can serve to give an exposition of God's character, magnifying the preaching of the God revealed in the pages of Scripture. Fine and Folk music in worship allows the church to use a means of worship that is faithful to both the transcendence and the immanence of God. Thus, Fine and Folk music, as an exposition of God's character, will serve as an effective medium to faithfully praise and proclaim the glory of God. For example, hum the tune to A Mighty Fortress is Our God. The tune has a sense of victory and triumph -- like "Behold your God!" Then hum the tune to I Love You, Lord. This communicates gentleness and nearness -- like resting in the arms of God. This is an example of how music can convey these two aspects of God - his mighty transcendent victory, and his gentle nearness to his people. God is both the God of Mount Sinai and the woman at the well. Worship music should present both these aspects of God. The God of Mount Sinai is the one who conquered sin, death, and the devil, and who ensures that evil will one day contract and shrivel up in the majestic light of his victorious glory. And the God who had his arm around the woman at the well ensures that we, by his grace, are adopted as his children, assured of his mercy, and compassionately ushered into fellowship with Jesus Christ. As long as personal taste serves as the ultimate standard of evaluation for our worship music, there will be unresolved controversies. Praise God that we can look to his Word for guidance even in the very melodies of worship that flow from our hearts to his ears. For when we do so, our approach to music will have God's glory at the beginning (rooted in God's character), in the middle (as an exposition of God's character), and at the end (as a medium by which we worship). God will be glorified every step of the way. And that's the kind of music God likes. Arigato! Steve Turley is founder and president of Fretboard Fellowship Ministries. He is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and is currently pursuing an MAR degree through Reformed Theological Seminary. 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What kind of music does God like?

by Steve Turley