Origins of Music...

[Merry]

At recess today I took my violin out side to practice while the kids played and well, someone always tends to interrupt you when you do these things to tell or ask you about some thing musical. I'm just trying to get my hands back in shape so the interruption was no big deal today, however.

But one of the teachers at my school told me it is important we teach our kids about music because 'It was brought to earth by Satan. He was in charge of it in heaven.'

I asked her 'chapter and verse?' She didn't know. Just said she was 'always' taught that and couldn't find it in the Bible. I suggested we have a look. I found a vague reference to King Tyre In Ezekiel 28 where he is said to have made pipes and something else...I don't remember right now. But crikey...

This was pretty clear...

Pss.81
[1] Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
[2] Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
[3] Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
[4] For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

We have David dancing for before the Ark of God, we have angels singing all over the place...

I hunted through the book of Enoch to see if one of the fallen angels brought it with them when they invaded our space. Nope, they brought things like make-up, weapons, black-arts...even writing...but not music. Not that the devil and his hoardes aren't fine musicians, but man, why do this? Teach that the form is essentially evil? The origin of music lies in the very heart of God Almighty. And yes, it can be corrupt like anything, but why not teach kids the craft of it and inspire them to beat the devil at his own game? I just can't see instilling doubt and fear of an art form.

WG posted an awesome science article about how scientists have found the earth is filled with sound and vibration...I'm mean the joyful noise is everywhere, ya know?

Pss.100
[1] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
[2] Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Pss.150
[1] Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
[2] Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
[3] Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
[4] Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
[5] Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
[6] Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

But I wonder...is this sort of the same debate like we see between CBA and ABA? wonder...I can't even imagine what heavenly music must be like...real heavenly music, you know, played by beings with over 6,000 years of practice under their belts. Oh...my...But do our Christian musicians hold back because someone taught them 'it's bad'? I know a lot of Christian bands that rock, but there's also a lot of elevator music out there in Jesus wrapping. I mean, how many Rich Mullins' have there been?

Even at the Christian School where I work, I know the teens aren't particularly interested in Christian music because, with a few exceptions, they find it dull. I wonder if because of what we expect Christianity to be our artists close the door on God a bit...more than a bit...

(Hey Lynn, my computer died on me before I could finish the post. Apparently it kept enough of what I was writing for a response!)

[lynnmosher]

Most scholars say this passage, Ezek. 28, refers, in part, to Lucifer. It can hardly refer to a human. It becomes more clear when you study the words and meanings. It's too much to go into here. Anyway, Lucifer may have led the chorus in heaven but I have never...ever...heard anyone say that he brought it to earth when he fell.

If he did, then he would have been worshipping God, which, of course, he couldn't have because he was kicked out for having an exalted sense of pride in himself, so he would have been singing a different tune! Therefore, according to this teacher, it would be important to teach kids that music is of the enemy. Although some music seems to be evil influenced, music is in the scriptures you quoted, emanating, as you said, from God.

Sheesh!

[Knight of Christ]

As I see it music, like any other art form is a tool, it is how you use it and what you use it for that makes it what it is.

Even hevy metal can be used to uplift the beliver and worship the one and only true God.

[Xenia]

I was going to say what Lynn did. I've only been taught that Satan was the choir director in heaven. He brought to earth killing, stealing and destruction! Music is God's creation !thumbsup!.

[Merry]

Just thinking out loud...I remember back in college when I studied music theory with John Cage. (In music circles that's like saying, 'I studied physics with Einstein.')

He said, 'The purpose of music is to quiet the body, soul and the mind, thereby making it subject to divine influence.' Now, that statement is incorrect: the ultimate purpose of music is to glorify God. But in a practical sense, that is how music functions. It is constantly setting you up mentally to receive from one divine source or another. Now whether or not you fall prey to whatever doorway it's offering is up to the individual. You don't have to be affected, but it becomes like a rock in a fast stream. You wait long enough and change will happen.

I thought Cage was nuts sometimes, but he did some interesting stuff. He was really into natural harmonics, always talking how electric instruments cut off a vital part of what the human ear needed to hear in order to stay sane. Ok, so I was nineteen at the time and too sold on the belief that electric gee-tars were cool to take notes on that. But he did this composition once...if it could be called that....where he used nothing but natural harmonics, I mean the guy used a conch shell filled with water, a tray with pebbles on the bottom, etc...and all he did was move these things slightly while on stage and...no kidding...it produced a euphoric effect across the performance hall that was so strong you could feel it. I don't recall thinking it was a 'Godly' euphoria either.

Now, I don't think Toby Mack needs to get a conch shell, but whoa...that sort of effect with so little...you've got to wonder if maybe our side isn't using everything at it's disposal.

[lynnmosher]

That does sound cool, Merry Merry! And I think you have a point with your last sentence.

P.S. I've been missing you!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Most scholars say this passage, Ezek. 28, refers, in part, to Lucifer.
No, that's rabbinic interpreters who passed it on to Christians. Scholars say this refers to the King of Tyre, simple as that.

I'll say though that the rabbis probably were onto something, especially if you follow their line of reasoning...

Anyway, I just heard an amazing sermon the other week about music being an evidence of God's existence. Your teacher friend could use some de-mythologising about one of the greatest things God gave to us - and we have subsequently given over to the devil.

Opinions like hers have a large part to do with that, by the way.

[Merry]

Amen, man. I've been digging out my old paper work...often wondered why I kept it...since it was 'so obvious' I would not longer be a musician...holy smoke...I wasn't a Christian when I first studied this, but looking over it, I'm surprised we haven't learned to 'dimension-hop' just using music. They say geometry is the grand science of the whole universe...music is geometry's first cause...wild stuff. But enough of sounding all New -Agey. But it is an area we really do, haha...'underplay.'

[lynnmosher]

Sorry, Ransom. I did use the wrong word. Thanks for the correction.

[Merry]

You know, I've been looking at this and well, here's some interesting video's on sound....check out how pure tones cause the dust particles to organize into an orderly fashion. You can almost picture the universe forming under the vibration of God's voice...wild...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkox6niJ1Wc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iXY2BE1S8Q&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY6z2hLgYuY

[Keith Wallis]

those links were interesting Merry - but the cat didn't like the high pitched sound !

[lynnmosher]

Merry Merry, Those were so cool! I especially loved the first one. Awesome!

All this brings to mind some research I did for my book. I looked into light and sound and I wrote a little about it, though eventually taking it out as it didn’t fit the book as it progressed. I thought it was all fascinating. It has permeated my thinking.

I am by no means knowledgeable in this area, so if I’ve stated something incorrectly, please forgive me. Sorry this is a little long. I tried to condense it. Here’s a little of what I found…

All matter came alive at the sound of God’s voice, at His Word. All matter contains molecules, and, within those molecules, atoms flow and circulate, as if to dance in resonation (or resounding).

Hebrews 4:12 in the Amplified says, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective].” The Received Greek Text says, “the word of God is living and powerfully working.”

The Word or ‘logos’ of God is ‘alive’ and ‘living,’ the Greek word ‘zao,’ which also means life, quick, to be fresh, strong, efficient, powerful, efficacious, etc. The word used for ‘working’ is ‘energes,’ which means active, operative, effectual, or powerful. (From this word comes another word, ‘energia,’ from which we get our word ‘energy.’)

God’s Word is actually living power, working and active as energy! Psalm 33:6 and 9 NKJV says, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth… For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”

In His dissertation with Job, God asks him where he was when the foundations of the earth were laid, “when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7 Masoretic Text)

Putting together all the definitions of these words, we get Lynn’s version: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, and set them in place? All of Heaven was filled with the loud shouting of joyous excitement as earth’s Chief Cornerstone was poured out, and the morning stars sang in unison, and cried out for joy all at once, and the sons of God, My heavenly family, shouted aloud and split My ears with a joyful noise.”

All heaven and earth broke loose in a hymn of “Hallelu-Jah”! “Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! Break out into singing, O mountains!” (Is. 49:13 NKJV) Even “the dawn and sunset shout for joy!” (Ps. 65:8 TLB) Universal splendor! Creation, “full of His glory.” (Is. 6:3 KJV)

God left His voice imprint within all of creation, within every molecule, every atom, and every cell of every created thing – plants, animals, planets, sun, moon, stars, mankind, everything. And His Word still sings and dances in resonation in the entire universe. It never dies, for the Bible says, “the word of God which lives and abides forever…the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:23, 25 Mas Text) Whether that is His written Word or His spoken Word, it is the living, breathing Word of God.

If God is the Originator of all things, then how is music not a part of His creation?

[Merry]

Amen and amen, sister! hey, I've got one more...this is just cornstarch with a little water added to it with some sound vibration applied. The thing looks like it's practically going to get up and walk away. If a human can do that with a little powder, you can imagine God calling to the ground for Adam to stand up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKxKVpHZe5Q&feature=related

[lynnmosher]

That is so cool! I love those. I watched a couple of the others also. Fascinating! I always imagine that what God commanded Ezekiel in his vision to prophesy over the dry bones could have been what God pronounced over Adam, “Behold, I will cause breath and spirit to enter you, and you shall live; and I will lay sinews upon you and bring up flesh upon you and cover you with skin, and I will put breath and spirit in you, and you [dry bones] shall live; and you shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord.”