Account (not an iTunes one) on Music

"I feel alarmed as I witness everywhere the frivolity of young men and young women who profess to believe the truth. God does not seem to be in their thoughts. Their minds are filled with nonsense. Their conversation is only empty, vain talk. They have a keen ear for music, and Satan knows what organs to excite to animate, engross, and charm the mind so that Christ is not desired. The spiritual longings of the soul for divine knowledge, for a growth in grace, are wanting.

"I was shown that the youth must take a higher stand and make the word of God the man of their counsel and their guide. Solemn responsibilities rest upon the young, which they lightly regard. The introduction of music into their homes, instead of inciting to holiness and spirituality, has been the means of diverting their minds from the truth. Frivolous songs and the popular sheet music of the day seem congenial to their taste. The instruments of music have taken time which should have been devoted to prayer. Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse. It excites, but does not impart that strength and courage which the Christian can find only at the throne of grace while humbly making known his wants and, with strong cries and tears, pleading for heavenly strength to be fortified against the powerful temptations of the evil one. Satan is leading the young captive. Oh, what can I say to lead them to break his power of infatuation! He is a skilful charmer luring them on to perdition." (The Adventist Home, Chapter 67)

Sometimes the music we listen to, like any other things we might do, is not an isolated problem in itself, but a symptom of a sick relationship with Christ. As diagnostics are drawn from the analysis of the particular symptoms of a disease, so is the state our relationship with Christ, which can actually range from healthy to dead. A patient is diagnosed dead when his vital body functions are no longer in activity; likewise we might find ourselves dead spiritually when our souls no longer breath high Christian values and moral standards or Jesus' character can't be seen in any aspects of our lives.

I believe that things we engage in in our everyday lives tell a lot about who we are, what we want and principally: who we serve. In the passage above Ellen White talks about the responsibility of the youth and the useful employment of their time. Worldly music has been occupying way too much space and time in our minds today, time that should have been used to make God's work advance on earth, helping people, studying the Bible and praying for ourselves and those around us.

Ellen White's language might seem a bit difficult to understand when she refers to music. Of course things were different in her time, but a clear parallel to what she describes in the passage above could be the CDs we buy, the albums and artists we download or purchase in iTunes Store, which we hear in our iPods and mp3 players; the latest releases by bands and singers all over the world.

Now, while this article is about the music we hear in our everyday lives and how it could be a symptom of a weak relationship with God, it's also about any other aspect in the Christian experience: the way we dress, eat, talk, behave… Like in the body, any vital organ, here representing the many aspects composing one's life, when sick or damaged will affect the whole body. This is why we should take care of all these aspects, music being one of them.

I'm sure we can always find a healthy alternative of a kind of music that uplifts our minds and brings us closer to God, since most of the time the problem is the style this music is connected to (no need to mention that a lot of contemporary "Christian" music is way worse than many a worldly one). Not everyone likes baroque music, though, needless to say, but I'm sure there's a kind out there that might enhance your personal Christian experience. Besides, as we are truly transformed into Jesus' character, we are likely to change our taste and opinion in favor of something that would please Him before ourselves. And by knowing that Jesus delights in our entertainment, we'll surely enjoy it too. ❦

On Liturgical Roles

Ever since I began writing on this blog, and especially when I started being involved in the church's leadership in the Music Department, I've taken time to consider the role of music in the process of worship.

There's a well-known liturgical logical sequence that is supposed to elevate the believer's heart up to receiving the spoken word. History shows that, if we analyze the time-line of liturgical practices in religious ceremonies. Nonetheless, Ellen White talks about the importance of music in itself and its fundamental role in imparting God's message to the heart. People tend to overlook this nowadays, though, when it comes to liturgy. While a considerable amount of time is given to other items in the program, and often rightly so, almost none is given to music in some cases. I've been in places where the song service, or the time for reflection with a musical background, or even special items, have been suppressed or basically cut off because of lack of time or space in the program.

I personally believe that if all other moments are given a special attention and reasonable amount of time, so should music. Especially when there is enough evidence both in the Bible and in the Spirit of Prophecy in support of the role of music in worship.

As I studied 2 Chronicles 5 this evening I took some time to dwell upon verse 13, since it depicts the use of music in such an important religious event for the people of Israel - the dedication of the Lord's temple, built by Solomon.

"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: 'For He is good, for His mercy endures forever', that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud" 2 Chronicles 5:13

In no other moment but at the time the musicians started playing and singing, and were joined by other instrumentalists, was God's glory manifested in that occasion. When in song they addressed His goodness and love, and only "then", did His presence fill the temple.

I'd say we can likewise benefit from God's manifestation of glory in our lives as we join together in true praise to His name and thanksgiving for His blessings. Also, a better management of time in the liturgical program would be better for all relevant items to receive due attention and emphasis. ❦

A Wise Choice

"Solomon spared no expenses in the construction of the Temple, conscripted as much manual labor as needed, and then found artisans from Egypt who could do the special work for the Temple. This latter act foreshadowed his penchant for depending on other nations for that which he should have trusted God.

Nonetheless, the righteous desire of Solomon to build a house for God should be the same desire that drives us to build a place for God in our lives. The care Solomon demonstrates in the building of the Temple can be linked to that which we should exhibit in the development of a Christian character. We should use no shoddy materials in this process, so that we may render to God the best that we have to give." (Cornerstone Connections - Teacher's Guide - 1st Quarter, 2012, p. 27)

As I study the lesson to help moderating a youth class in Sabbath School tomorrow morning, I realize the relevance of the present passage when it comes to doing our best for God. One of the targets in this lesson is actually to make the students feel the necessity to give the best for Him in their lives no matter what they do.

Solomon might have erred in depending on other nations and pagan peoples to do the holy work for God, whereas he could have asked and trusted Him for guidance in that matter; but he still did the best he could in terms of financial resources, time employment and talents. Moreover, Solomon understood God's holiness and perfection. His reverence can be seen in his care for order in the process of building the Temple: "And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built." (I Kings 6:7, NKJV)

It is sad to see that we haven't exactly followed this example in the management of music in our church today, both locally and world-wide. I believe the service to God should be a holistic manifestation and organization should be felt in every area of worship. By acknowledging God's perfection we can better understand His character and love for us. By being organized and structured to praise God in the best way, we are richly benefited in understanding more about His pure and perfect nature. ❦

Song of Forgiveness

"Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,
O God,
the God of my salvation,
and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your
righteousness.

"O LORD open my lips,
and my mouth shall show forth your
praise."

Psalm 51:14-15

The First Dissonance

Another interesting source of information on music in Ellen White's writings is her use of musical terms, together with other musical analogies, to describe spiritual issues. One of the recurring subjects is God's character and law, perfection and love - where she employs the term "harmony" quite often. Other ones such as "notes", "consonance", "dissonance", etc., are frequently used as well.

Due to its natural and somewhat "self-organizing" perfection, music is a powerful metaphorical element when it comes to spiritual matters. Its inner attributes reflect God's perfection and purity, and in its correct use we can see His righteousness portrayed.

In this sequence of passages (below), as selected from the first chapter in Ellen White's "Patriarchs and Prophets", her use of musical terms clarifies the nature and origin if sin in heaven, and how much discord it brought to the perfect "harmony" pertaining to a place where God's presence dwells.

Soon this perfection and harmony will be restored to humanity, as well as the whole world, as Jesus comes and saves us from the harshness and dissonance Satan brought to the musical beauty of God's commandments, by misusing his heavenly position.


The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all his creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation of his character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all he grants freedom of will, that they may render him voluntary service. – {PP 34.3}
So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting his glory and showing forth his praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to his creatures. Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer, “son of the morning,” was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him. “Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering.... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:12-15. – {PP 35.1}
(...)
Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. Lucifer’s disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme. In heavenly council the angels pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the greatness, the goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging nature of his law. God himself had established the order of heaven; and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker and bring ruin upon himself. But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only aroused a spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed his jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more determined. – {PP 35.3}
(...)
The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and prostrating themselves before him, poured out their love and adoration. Lucifer bowed with them, but in his heart there was a strange, fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy and jealousy. The influence of the holy angels seemed for a time to carry him with them. As songs of praise ascended in melodious strains, swelled by thousands of glad voices, the spirit of evil seemed vanquished; unutterable love thrilled his entire being; his soul went out, in harmony with the sinless worshippers, in love to the Father and the Son. But again he was filled with pride in his own glory. His desire for supremacy returned, and envy of Christ was once more indulged. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as God’s special gift, and therefore, called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God. He was beloved and reverenced by the heavenly host, angels delighted to execute his commands, and he was clothed with wisdom and glory above them all. Yet the Son of God was exalted above him, as one in power and authority with the Father. He shared the Father’s counsels, while Lucifer did not thus enter into the purposes of God. “Why,” questioned this mighty angel, “should Christ have the supremacy? Why is he honored above Lucifer?” – {PP 36.3}
(...)
Taking advantage of the loving, loyal trust reposed in him by the holy beings under his command, he had so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust and discontent that his agency was not discerned. Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light—misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction. He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose, as evidence that the angels were not fully in harmony with the government of God. While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged that changes in the order and laws of heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government. Thus while working to excite opposition to the law of God and to instill his own discontent into the minds of the angels under him, he was ostensibly seeking to remove dissatisfaction and to reconcile disaffected angels to the order of heaven. While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace. – {PP 38.2}
The spirit of dissatisfaction thus kindled was doing its baleful work. While there was no open outbreak, division of feeling imperceptibly grew up among the angels. There were some who looked with favor upon Lucifer’s insinuations against the government of God. Although they had heretofore been in perfect harmony with the order which God had established, they were now discontented and unhappy because they could not penetrate his unsearchable counsels; they were dissatisfied with his purpose in exalting Christ. These stood ready to second Lucifer’s demand for equal authority with the Son of God. But angels who were loyal and true maintained the wisdom and justice of the divine decree and endeavored to reconcile this disaffected being to the will of God. Christ was the Son of God; he had been one with him before the angels were called into existence. He had ever stood at the right hand of the Father; his supremacy, so full of blessing to all who came under its benignant control, had not heretofore been questioned. The harmony of heaven had never been interrupted; wherefore should there now be discord? The loyal angels could see only terrible consequences from this dissension, and with earnest entreaty they counseled the disaffected ones to renounce their purpose and prove themselves loyal to God by fidelity to his government. – {PP 38.3}


We all know how this story seems to end: Lucifer cast out of heaven with all the angels he managed to deceive, and who willfully chose to take part in his rebellious attitude toward God's sovereignty; followed by his successful attempt to deceive our first parents in Eden, and the fall of human kind. But this is not the real end, for this story is yet to be completed when Jesus comes to permanently save us from the consequences of sin, restoring everlasting harmony to our, then, eternal life experience. ❦