Is music inspired?

[quantumfaith]

Here is my question. Is music associated with worship...be it old time hymns, or even as I enjoy Contemporary Christian music inspired? If so, what is its place, obviously not on par with scripture, if not why not and why do we make so much use of it in worship?

 

[12strings]

I would say no, not in the way scripture is inspired...the easy way to prove this is to find a "Christian" song with unbiblical lyrics. It's not that hard.

As to why we use it...
1. Lots of psalms say to sing...even new songs
2. Ephesians and Colossians tell us to encourage and exhort one another in song.
3. Many songs are prayers, and we are told to pray.
4. The truths of God's Character and Works are of such a character that merely explaining them does not do them justice...they must be exulted in.

 

[quantumfaith]

I would say no, not in the way scripture is inspired...the easy way to prove this is to find a "Christian" song with unbiblical lyrics. It's not that hard.

As to why we use it...
1. Lots of psalms say to sing...even new songs
2. Ephesians and Colossians tell us to encourage and exhort one another in song.
3. Many songs are prayers, and we are told to pray.
4. The truths of God's Character and Works are of such a character that merely explaining them does not do them justice...they must be exulted in.

Thanks 12 , I think ALL of us would most definitely say music is not inspired in the way that scripture is... but we have made it almost an essential part of our worship....(which I appreciate greatly).

 

[12strings]

To follow up, as I had to run earlier; I would say that there is nothing wrong with saying a certain song was "given" by God, since every good gift does come from Him.

But it would be similar to the man who stood up in our church 2 years ago and said he believed God wanted us to rebuild a church in Haiti that was destroyed in the earthquake. I believe that idea was from God, and we did end up doing exactly that...now, that man is not infallible, and anything anyone says should be tested for both consistency with scriptures and for general wisdom. I have no problem saying God "inspired" that man to say that, as long as we realize we are speaking of something different than the inspiration of scriptures.

The same could be said for "It is Well", or "In Christ Alone," or "Jesus Freak." In each of those cases, we could say the song was a gift of God, but that it was though of, and written down by a flawed human, and so none of those songs are as good as they might be had God written them perfectly himself. And any song, old or new, COULD have some error in it, and so all music considered for church use should be examined for doctrinal truth.

 

[quantumfaith]

To follow up, as I had to run earlier; I would say that there is nothing wrong with saying a certain song was "given" by God, since every good gift does come from Him.

But it would be similar to the man who stood up in our church 2 years ago and said he believed God wanted us to rebuild a church in Haiti that was destroyed in the earthquake. I believe that idea was from God, and we did end up doing exactly that...now, that man is not infallible, and anything anyone says should be tested for both consistency with scriptures and for general wisdom. I have no problem saying God "inspired" that man to say that, as long as we realize we are speaking of something different than the inspiration of scriptures.

The same could be said for "It is Well", or "In Christ Alone," or "Jesus Freak." In each of those cases, we could say the song was a gift of God, but that it was though of, and written down by a flawed human, and so none of those songs are as good as they might be had God written them perfectly himself. And any song, old or new, COULD have some error in it, and so all music considered for church use should be examined for doctrinal truth.

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Iconoclast]

Thanks 12 , I think ALL of us would most definitely say music is not inspired in the way that scripture is... but we have made it almost an essential part of our worship....(which I appreciate greatly).

QF,
Some make the case that the Psalms are the divinely inspired song book,
and scripture as well.

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?1414

some look at it ,but are not convinced;

http://www.the-highway.com/psalmody_Irons.html

 

[quantumfaith]

QF,
Some make the case that the Psalms are the divinely inspired song book,
and scripture as well.

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?1414

some look at it ,but are not convinced;

http://www.the-highway.com/psalmody_Irons.html

Thank You Icon, I was indeed aware of that, perhaps not all Psalms were intended to be sung. Psalms of Ascent were for the trip up to Jerusalem, Psalms of Descent were for the trip departing Jerusalem.

 

[salzer mtn]

Here is my question. Is music associated with worship...be it old time hymns, or even as I enjoy Contemporary Christian music inspired? If so, what is its place, obviously not on par with scripture, if not why not and why do we make so much use of it in worship?

I have been to baptist churches that did not believe in playing music in the song worship service and their scripture was 1 Cor 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. I have been in church services where the congregation had such beautiful voices that music was not needed. IMO music can be a help or it can be a hinderance. The bible say's make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Some people are not gifted in carrying a tune when they sing but God recieves their worship as much as the person that has a eloquent voise, but music does help in some circumstances. I believe you can have to much music, (drums, horns, guitars, ect) and music that is to loud, electrical instuments of any kind that drowns out the singing.

 

[12strings]

I have been to baptist churches that did not believe in playing music in the song worship service and their scripture was 1 Cor 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. I have been in church services where the congregation had such beautiful voices that music was not needed.

-Just a clarification: A Capella singing IS music...I think you mean "Instrumental Music", right?

IMO music can be a help or it can be a hinderance. The bible say's make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Some people are not gifted in carrying a tune when they sing but God recieves their worship as much as the person that has a eloquent voise,

TRUE!

but music does help in some circumstances. I believe you can have to much music, (drums, horns, guitars, ect) and music that is to loud,

True, you can have too much music (too many songs) AND too much instrumentation, (such as a very large pipe organ playing too loud).

electrical instruments of any kind that drowns out the singing.

Or you could have some electrical instruments at a reasonable level that complement the singing...For example in very humid areas on the mission field, an electric piano makes a lot more sense than a real one...it would go out of tune so fast!

 

[quantumfaith]

I have been to baptist churches that did not believe in playing music in the song worship service and their scripture was 1 Cor 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. I have been in church services where the congregation had such beautiful voices that music was not needed. IMO music can be a help or it can be a hinderance. The bible say's make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Some people are not gifted in carrying a tune when they sing but God recieves their worship as much as the person that has a eloquent voise, but music does help in some circumstances. I believe you can have to much music, (drums, horns, guitars, ect) and music that is to loud, electrical instuments of any kind that drowns out the singing.

Thanks Salzer for your input. I perceive that you would most likely be uncomfortable where I worship. Our music is mostly Contemp and usually quite loud. I like it most of time, but also really like it when the Worship Band goes more acoustic.

 

[kyredneck]

Wouldn't call them inspired but there's many deeply spiritual ones to be found in the Old School Hymnal.

 

[Salty]

Is it possible for the Lord to inspire a song writer to compose a song?

I found this link

 

[salzer mtn]

-Just a clarification: A Capella singing IS music...I think you mean "Instrumental Music", right?

Right, that's what we were discussing

 

[Bronconagurski]

Here is my question. Is music associated with worship...be it old time hymns, or even as I enjoy Contemporary Christian music inspired? If so, what is its place, obviously not on par with scripture, if not why not and why do we make so much use of it in worship?

Music itself is not inspirted, but the scripture tells us to use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So while a song isn't inspired, the some of the words it uses may be if they come from scripture. Music can definitely by spiritual.

 

[Salty]

Music itself is not inspirted, but the scripture tells us to use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So while a song isn't inspired, the some of the words it uses may be if they come from scripture. Music can definitely by spiritual.

So when a songwriter says "The Lord inspired me to write these words into this song...." you are saying he is incorrect?

 

[salzer mtn]

Is it possible for the Lord to inspire a song writer to compose a song?

Yes, but songs i used to think were inspired by the Holy Spirit, years later as i looked at the words i could see that another spirit had composed them. Songs like i'll fly away, oh glory, i'll fly away, and turn your radio on and get in touch with God are just wordly gingles to jump start the flesh. Songs today that inspire me to worship are songs of praise to the Lord that leave out stanza's of what man can do, or what man should do for God.

 

[Bronconagurski]

So when a songwriter says "The Lord inspired me to write these words into this song...." you are saying he is incorrect?

I am saying he is incorrect if he is putting it on the same level as scripture. The Lord may well have led him to write a song, but the song is not inspired like scripture.

 

[TCGreek]

Mechanical instruments of music is neither prescribed nor prohibited in the NT.

 

[Salty]

I am saying he is incorrect if he is putting it on the same level as scripture. The Lord may well have led him to write a song, but the song is not inspired like scripture.

Do you know of a songwriter who has put his song on the same level as scripture?

 

[Bronconagurski]

Do you know of a songwriter who has put his song on the same level as scripture?

I don't know any songwriters. I was merely answering your question. I made it clear that scripture has a level of inspiration from God that nothing else does. You are the one that pressed the point as if songs could be inspired. I am telling you they can not in the same regard as scripture. The word means God-breathed in the bible. I thought you knew that was the level to which I was referring.