Series on Music Part 3 by Tim Wirth

Before we embark on this journey, we should consider a few definitions. The term heresy (as it is used today) means:
"An opinion or doctrine not in line with the accepted teaching of the church; the opposite of orthodoxy" (Holman Bible Dictionary)
The term comes from the Greek hairesis, which can mean the act of choosing, but was also occasionally used in the Bible to mean sect or party.


Reference Usage
Acts 5:17, 15:5, 26:5 Party or sect
Acts 24:14, 28:22 Used by Jews to describe groups that had left the mainstream of Judaism

1 Cor 11:19,Gal 5:20,Titus 3:10 Used by Paul to describe those that caused dissension

2 Pet 2:1 Used by Peter to describe False Prophets


The Gnostics were a prominent example of early Christians whose views on doctrine were radically different than those of the established church.
Another term that will prove useful in this discussion is schism, or an "ecclesiastical cleavage". Schismatics didnt necessarily disagree with Church doctrine, but rather disagreed with Church Law or practice. Novatian and the Donatists probably originally fit into this category. A later example of a schism in the established church was the Protestant Reformation however, the Inquisition also viewed the early Reformers as heretics

So what does this have to do with music ?
Lets take a look at church history.

An extreme form of charismatic worship grew up in the mid-2nd century. Around c. 156 A.D., a self-styled prophet named Montanus started to attract followers in Phrygia, Asia Minor (early church father Tertullian was among their ranks for a period of time). Montanus fostered a very charismatic environment, and believed that the Holy Spirit spoke directly through him, and his followers. Montanists believed that they were receiving Divine Revelation, like the Old Testament prophets.

Music in the Early Church
There are few extant references to singing in the early church the New Testament only mentions the practice twice (Col 3:16, Eph 5:19) and then somewhat obliquely. The most striking reference of the two is in Ephesians:
be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. (NIV Eph 5:18-20)
Church Father Clement suggests that hymns should be "austere".

Being Jewish, Jesus and his disciples would most likely have sung the psalms from memory. However, centralizedentraliindustry industryy, the repertoire of ordinary people was much greater than it is today, so they probably knew other songs too. Early Christians continued to sing the psalms much as they were sung in the synagogues in the first century.

So we see that music was used in the earlier church but it clearly did not play a all important or bulk role in a church service or meeting.
How does that compare to what we have now?

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church,p.279
"The style of music you choose to use in your service will be one of the most critical (and controversial) decisions you make in the life of your church. It may also be the most influential factor in determing who your church reaches for Christ and whether or not your church grows."

So music went from just a small part in a service to the determing factor on who you will reach for Christ.
What utter nonsense and heresy as well.
Rick showed his true self when playing a bit of "Purple Haze" after pworshipnd wroship music had been played at his rally for Ricks own P.E.A.C.E plan.
The biggest problem with seeker sensitive (and Rick alone is not to blame since this view didnt start with him) is that they preach "Come as you are".
The problem is that they also through their actions say "remain as you are" as far as music, language and social habits are concerned.

When I first started playing in church as a new Christian I thought it was great that I could still play the same style of music that I played before but it was now honoring God.
Was it?
The thing that really woke me up was I noticed that we played songs in the same order I had played in arenas across the US and Canada.
Start out with a bang.
Usually start off with a big production number which got the attention of the crowd and displayed the musical and vocal skills of the band.
Then keep the tempo up so as to raise the energy level of the crowd so you can grad ahold of them and do what you want with them.
Praise songs in a Christian setting.
Then slow things down to quiet people and get them to swaying back and forth.
Worship music in a Christian setting.

I have a big problem with that because it did not originate with Jesus or His church it originated with the world.
It was used to manipulate the crowd.
Its still being used in the church to manipulate the crowd.
I have played numerous times when a pastor would give a hand signal to the worship leader to pick the tempo up even more.
What I call the Pentecostal two step.
Everyone goes nuts, they think God has miracously been called down from heaven and is partying with them.
When it really is just the flesh taking over.
Almost everytime this particular behavior happened the pastor went for the congregations wallets to make himself and his empire rich.

Now any and every style is accepted under the clock of all music styles are ammoral.

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church, page 281

Now this quote was made by someone who shows he has little true knowledge of music.
The problem is Slick Rick influences thousands if not millions of undiserning folk.

Music is a arrangement of notes and rhythms-thats true.
But who is influencing how you put those notes and rhythms together?
Music can be inspired by your flesh and whats been going on in your life.
This isnt always a bad thing Phil Collins big solo debut was based on Phil going through a divorce.
Many could relate and Phil sold millions of albums.
Music can be inspired bythe devil.
I find it hard to believe that peodiscernn't disern music that came from the enemy.
Its much all the same and this music sells millions as well.
Tdifferencedifferance from music being inspired by the flesh and people like Maryilyn Manson, Slayer and others who admit being indemons by demosn.
We are going to take a style like that and throw Christian lyrics on it and then its ok?
Of course its not.
You cant slap a symbol on a style birthed in evil and expect it to be good or have good fruit.
Christian music should be inspired by The Holy Spirit.
You can't take a Christians music who was inspired by The Holy Spirit and be able to compare it to something the world has done or music inspired by demons.

Another thing about the way that music without lyrics moves us is take a look at people who do soundtracks for film and TV.
Check this excert from a article titled "Why does music make us tingle"
Simon Callow has a passion for mufavorite favourite piece, Beethovens Piano Sonata, sends shivers down his spine every time he hears it! But how does a powerful piece of music make you feel happy or sad? Ever Wondered sent him out to investigate how music can manipulate our emotions

So what tools does the composer use to elicit emotion? Simon meets up with Christopher Gunning at his recording studio to explore musical technique
Christopher Gunning composes extensively for films and television, some of his best-known work includes Agatha Christie's Poirot, Porterhouse Blue and Middlemarch. The Poirot theme has been described as "...conjuring up wonderful images of darkened streets, dapper criminals and no chance of evading justice".
Simon: How consciously do you manipulate emotion in your audiences?
Christopher Gunning: I start off with a completely empty mind and just react as emotionally as I can but at other times I manipulate emotion very consciously. I work a lot for film and television and what Im called upon sometimes is to supply emotions that perhaps the actors can not express.
The musical ingredients I use to help me achieve this are tempo - the speed at which a composition is played; harmony - the simultaneous sounding of two or more tones and the relations between chords; melody; counterpoint - the art of combining melodies each of which is independent though forming part of a homogeneous texture; rhythm - the duration of tones and the stresses or accents placed upon them; and colour. A piece of music can also reflect a different emotion if played on a different instrument. These techniques are the same today as those used by the great classical composers of the past. If youre interested in finding out more about the language of Western techniques and styles of music from 1600-1900 have a look at course A214 Understanding Music: Elements, techniques and styles. And if youd like to learn more about how music is composed have a look at AA302 From Composition to Performance Musicians at work
Its clear that composition plays an important role in creating an emotion. But what about the other side of the equation - the psychology of our reactions to music? Simon meets psychologist Professor John Sloboda at Keele University to find out more...
A fellow of the British Psychological society, Professor Sloboda is internationally known for his work on the psychology of music. His special interest is music and the emotions.
Simon: Why are my emotions aroused by music, whats going on inside me?
Professor Sloboda : Emotions are aroused by music that raises expectations, this is done by simply granting or delaying a bar or beat in a piece of music We wouldnt have our emotions moved by music that fulfilled our expectation. Our emotions are at their highest when we are unexpected Bringing back a significant experience that is emotionally tinged is what psychologists know as the Darling theyre playing our tune theory. A song that was playing at a particular event, or during an important phase of a relationship will trigger memories of that event for all of your life. Simon: I know a famous example of that happening - the composer Mahler, who once ran onto the streets outside his home to escape the hideous arguments of his parents, heard a brass band playing and from then on associated brass band music with intense and anguishing emotions.
Professor Sloboda : Theres something about the fact that music unfolds over time, as do emotions. When we hear the music we re-live the emotional sequence that happened the first time we heard it. Thats why music is more powerful than smell or painting, it draws you into a sequence of re-lived experience.


Now for the record I want to state that some music that people stated was inspired that supposably came from the Holy Spirit was not inspired at all by The Holy Spirit.
Im talking about much of the music that came from those false prophet rallys like Cindy Jacobs and the false prophets on the Elijah list.
Consider yourself lucky if you have never heard one of these impromtu mediocre fire jams.
Another big mediochre gathering was the music that came from Brownsville, Pennsecola and Smithton under the disguise of revival.
Number one these were false revivals which was proved in constant expose's.
And the music that was produced from these was awful.
I can only believe Integrity Music got involved because of the popularity of these false revivals and the money that could be made.
I made the mistake of seeing The Steve and Kathy Hill show on Sky Angel.
What a insult to God.
Sometimes Christian musicians and leaders try to imitate the world .
And they even do that badly.

In conclusion seriously think about the importance put on music in the church today and how it can be used to manipulate people.
The role of music in the church and its importance has been changed by some in the church in conflict of what scripture states.
Many times its a cheap poorly done imitation of the world.
Does this honor God?
Or does God have a a special song or music to those who have put there own agenda aside and are sold out to the Holy Spirit?
I dont have any problem with music as long as its put in its proper light and rank.
Music can be beautiful and glorify God.
But it can also be used to manipulate emotions and empty your pocket book.
Where does your church stand on this.
Tim Wirth