When taking a look and discussing the music and beliefs of Martin Luther (1483 – 1546), we can credit him with Augustinian view on music (the gift of language as it was combined with the gift of song). Many early reforms saw this method proclaiming the word of God through melodious tunes and through words of praise. They viewed this though as a way of not only praising God, but also as an educational adventure to teach gospel to mankind. Martin Luther was a clergy who dealt with the essentials of music relating it to man’s spirit and soul. Luther was an avid flute player in his days and had a strong passion for church music. He strongly supported the idea that congregational music should be strongly connected with music worship. Martin Luther was a Protestant Reformer who rejected Catholic teaching but highly promoted the thought of man being justified by his faith.
Martin Luther was a very influential contributing factor in leading the Reformation of the church in the 16th century. He strongly rebelled against the papal leadership and beliefs of the Catholic Church. His rebellion led to a new development and relationship of music and worship. He laid a rich foundation for mass in the vernacular, Wrote hymns that dealt specifically with emotions, and people’s personal experiences with God.
Luther wanted to present a style of music leading people to express, and better understand God’s word. His hymns are widely used and accepted today. Because of his ideas, thoughts and contributions we still have a vast carry over today using Christian music to help us understand the message of church and God’s word.
Researchers have proven that music effect the entire world. And Church music has a profound effect on spiritual growth. Church Music sets a foundation for Christian worshippers. Paving the way, setting a foundation for church worshippers is a challenging task. Only a Christian trained musician can fulfill that goal. A trained musician serves as an accompaniment and companion ready to provide appropriated music for church worship. Preparing Church worshippers to be spiritually ready for church service demands a born again, united spirit that is abiding in God. Church music spiritually feeds the soul and prepares the believers to humbly accept an awesome God.
Music has a positive effect on church worship. Music often prepares the hearts of the congregation to receive the spoken words of the sermon. The quality of the music and its message enhance the musical experience of Christian worshippers. Yes, music has a positive effect on church worship. Good church music is to a church what a superior athlete is to a team. Quality of good church music is reflected by the vitality of church life. Excelling a good musical experience is not measured by rendition of music; but by enthusiasm, wholehearted engagement in singing and the powerful ally of the Word of God. There is magic to church music. Church music and its quality reflect the experience of worshipping; and is united with emotional and spiritual an expression which enhances a valuable channel for developing a spiritual, joyful power. It can contribute positively to the worship experience.
Music has a negative effect on church worship as well. Churches have to be careful in selecting musicians. Musicians who are not trained can completely distract, embarrass, and destroy church worship. When a church lacks good leadership in the area of church music – a church program suffers. It suffers in the capacity of a halfway decent job – leading to inadequate worship experiences. The untrained musician is not knowledgeable about music and choir selections that are appropriate for church service. The untrained musician cannot serve as an accompaniment to prepare the worshipper’s heart to receive God’s spoken word. Yes, music when not carefully selected and monitored can have a negative effect on church worship.
Untrained musicians cannot supply a church worship service with an experience of total praise. An untrained musician introduces a church to accept any contemporary and modern style of music lacking professional music that is and should be sacred. An untrained musician introduces a congregation to catchy rhythms, repetition of words that carry no message, and a swingy beat that serves no purpose. People must remember their purpose for worshipping on Sunday. An untrained musician will distract the attention from worshipping God to an experience of a lifeless service. An untrained musician can negatively effect and introduce a church to powerless service. An untrained musician is like operating an engine trying to run without oil in its bearings. Yes, music can have a negative effect on church music through a powerless experiences; an untrained musician.
Body
Church Music can encourage true worship and has always held an important place in the worship of the church. William S. Smith suggest “Singing is not only something we do; singing does something to us. In singing God’s praises, we are both subject and object, both giver and receiver. Singing God’s praises turns up the temperature of our praise and moves us to praise God yet with more fervor, and allow an abiding spirit of God to enter into the believer’s soul. Music serves the liturgy by leading its power. Though there are reasons for believing that the apostle intended the being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18 – 20 to be understood as preceding singing, we may also believe that the other order may take place. Similarly, feeling cheerful is cause for singing (James 5:13), but singing can also contribute to our cheer.” Pg.29
Church music has the divine impact not only for teaching about God and the Christian life, but also helps Christians to understand and remember what they have experienced and the knowledge they will gain. Through church music and singing praises to an eternal father, the Christian confesses God before others (Ps. 20:1-10; Rom. 14:11; Heb. 13:15) acknowledgement, recitation and proclamation of God (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, the total purpose of church music is not to replace evangelizing, but to edify, worship, exhort, and serve.
Church music distinctly serves to save the lost and revive hearts. It has a message that serves as an outreach ministry and aids in bringing people in acquaintance with their supreme maker. Church music impacts and maintains a rich expressive flavor of sound, words, tunes, and worship. It seeks to have a secure effect on deeply felt words and feelings from the heart. Church music has a direct effect of the lost and those seeking to engage in personal evangelism. The total role of church worshippers is to assemble with a purpose to edify Christ. Church music serves as a mediator in the assembly of church songs both secular and religious songs.
Shields in his research conclude, “We cannot discuss the music of the universe without recognizing the fact that man is a part of this universe, and a very important part. Nature sings of her Creator and reverent men join the paean of praise. We must remember that nature does not sing to God but of Him to earth’s children, who may in fellowship consciously raise voices in songs of praise.” Pg.14
According to William C. Hunter in “Music in Your Church” “Hymns are a vital part of the church’s worship experience, but people’s hymns preferences are as varied as the people themselves are.” A paraphrase of Abraham Lincoln’s words is appropriate: “You can please all of the people some of the time; you can please some of the people all of the time; but you cannot please all of the people all of the time.” The person who complains, why don’t they ever sing our favorite hymns? Really means- Why don’t they sing my favorite song more often? The Bible even supports this paraphrase with a scriptural passage as found in 2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears...”
Why do we sing? The Christian faith is a singing faith, in fact from the beginning to the end of the Bible; you will find songs of praise to God for who he is and for what he has done. We sing as an expression from a belief or feeling; for example – when Israel was delivered from the land of Egypt, they met on the other side of the Red Sea and sang hymns of praise Exodus 15:1-21. The Book of Psalms is a collection of songs written by David and others. These songs became the Jewish hymnbook for their worship services. The New Testament contains the song of Mary. Luke 1:46 – 55, the praise of Zachariah (Luke 1:68 – 79) the exultation of the angels of the birth of Christ (Luke 2:13 and 14). We sing because of Salvation, because of the Scriptures, because of the Holy Spirit, Because of Sacrifice. When Negroes were in slavery, they too sung spiritual hymns as an expression to God. Signifying an undying faith and as a sign of relief from trails – tribulations.
Christians should develop a wide variety of appreciation for church music. Those who admire the classic hymns should also be open to gospel songs. Hymns include what we have come to call a gospel song – as well as songs of sublime dignity.
The Christian hymn is a poem sung to the praise of God. All songs (even hymns) carry a strong message. Messages include adoration, praise, glory, and honorary acknowledgement to God. The modern hymnbook is a collection of hymns drawn from various times and places. Among the more important groups of hymns are: Early Eastern Hymns, Latin Hymns, Lutheran Chorales and English Hymns. Early Eastern Hymns – many of the Eastern hymns were translated and adapted by J.M. Neale in 1862/ are sung to modern tunes. Latin Hymns – were written by composers from the 13th to the 16th century. Lutheran Chorales – grew rapidly in the 17th century and were used for polyphonic treatment. Polyphonic is many voices or different melodies at the same time; each one of us singing different parts at the same time, better known as a development of harmony. English Hymns – history of modern English and American hymns began with the hymns and Spiritual Songs of Issac Watts whose Psalms and hymns were adopted as the hymnbook.
Not every hymn is a gospel song. Gospel songs are characterized with catchy rhythms or dotted note patterns to achieve a sing - able affect. The gospel song tends to deal with conversion, atonement, or heaven songs that are so swingy in character that people have danced and on roller skated to gospel songs... Examples of hymns: A Might Fortress is our God, The Church’s One Foundation, and O God Our Help in Ages Past, My Faith Looks Up to Thee, Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, Holy, Holy, Holy, and Fairest Lord Jesus. As you can see each one we consider being sacred. Example of gospel songs: In the Garden, The Old Rugged Cross, Blessed Assurance, Praise Him, Praise Him, What A Friend, Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us, When The Roll is Called Up Yonder, Since Jesus Came Into My Heart. Examples of Choruses: He Lives Pass it On, He’s Got the Whole World, Just a Closer With Thee. So we can relate the difference between the hymns or gospel – the hymn is short and very sacred. Gospel is catchy or swingy.
Examples of trained musicians vs. untrained music are presented in this paper. Appendix I represents the trained musician. Appendix II represents the untrained musician. When we look at John Newton’s famous hymn of Amazing Grace, a trained musician is careful to present this rendition in a spirit, free flowing style. The trained musician does not add or take away any structured chord because this famous tune speaks for itself. A trained musician can play and or sing this hymn with a steady (note by note way. The musician observes note value, dynamic markings, accidentals, time signature, and key signature. The musician is careful to accompany the congregation; not overshadow the congregation (showing off and using ornaments to gain attention).
The untrained musician in playing the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, will play what they hear. They are crowd pleasers who use attractive sounds and runs to entertain the congregation. Playing by ear is a welcomed item in the contemporary church but it does have a place. An untrained musician cannot make that distinction of adding too much to this hymn as a distraction. However, an untrained musician will lead the audience; in a loud accompanying part not caring about the melody of the song, but presenting a style that can change the spirit. We are not degrading the untrained musician; however, when people don’t know any better – you can’t expect any better.
In the original tune of Amazing Grace, looking at the chord structure everything has a balanced sound (meaning each note is a structure of a chord and it flows with dynamics and harmony.) In the piece it is very formal and straight forward. In the written piece of Amazing Grace by Ramon L, Jackson, many will see unbalance in harmony and chord structure. The piece has a lot of catchy upbeat rhythms that catch the ear of contemporary listens.
Church music, has a profound effect on a worship service; either negative or positive. It sets a mood positively for worshippers to be spiritually ready to engage in a sacred service. It can also set a negative mood because a foundation such as a lack of message through song, melodious, and harmonized tunes will become distractive and disturbing to a congregation. Musicians who try to play songs that are too contemporary and advanced for the choir to perform tend to lose interest of the congregation and speaker; also it can show harm in dampening the spirit of church worship and weaken the message of the speaker. Musicians must be careful in not overshadowing the total worship experience. Church musicians need to stay focused on providing the congregation with a contributing, powerful experience of worship and total praise. He or she must administer the church music program in an innovative manner which meets the needs and purpose of praise and worship.
Church music should prepare the hearts of worshippers to become abiding in both God and his Holy word. It should be presented in a fashion where a message through songs is received and worshippers are spiritually ready to listen to God’s ordained messenger. Church music serves as an appetizer before receiving the spiritual food. It should serve to compliment the anointed messenger; it is not the complete message. Church music should be so well planned that it spiritually meets the need of setting a positive foundation for worship service.
Instruments play a vital role on the worship service positively. In the Bible according to Psalms, instruments serve as an enhancer and accompaniment church worship service. According to Psalms 150, we find the following: “Praise ye the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” According to William Smith in “Joyful Noise” “Instruments such as the grand piano, electric piano, portable keyboards, the synthesizer, MIDI, organs and other musical instruments can be very useful in the service or worship.”Instruments used effectively in a church worship service serves to become beneficial and complimentary to a harmonious message. Instruments when used as an accompaniment carry a unified, rich flow in worship service. Instrumentation is pertinent in elevating emotions, expression of praise, adoration and exhortation.
Conclusion
Church music is to be considered as an outpouring of the heart; expressing (joy, grief, love, hope, despair, praise, faith, and gratitude). Therefore, untrained musicians can negatively effect the worship service, while the trained musician has a positive effect. The untrained musician does not have the qualifications of true musicianship that is needed in the worship service. Christian people need to sing songs to God. The untrained musician cannot properly seek to serve and fulfill a congregation. The congregation needs Jesus as an intercessor to come to them in the hymns and gospel songs. An untrained musician cannot teach harmony, develop balance sounds between the vocal singers, and differentiate between presenting appropriate songs. The trained musician can present songs in appropriate ways, teach harmony and produce balance. The trained musician accommodates to the needs of the church. The trained music knows how to complement the preacher, they are mindful or their title and wears it well.
Church music does prepare the way. Not only does it open the door but often it is the door! Even the preacher himself is easily moved to greater heights of preaching by the Christian music of the service. Church music reaches our spiritual needs by serving as a powerful ally of the word of God. The quality of church music has a reflection of the total worship experience. Whether congregational singing, solo performance, small group ensemble, accompanist, or instrumentalist-vitality of church worship and it’s experience is reflected by the church music. Yes, church music does have an effect on Music in the Christian Church. It can serve either as a positive or negative factor .It is a matter of vital importance. Church music is pertinent in the spiritual growth, spiritual impact, expression, outreach ministry and quality of church character.
Word Count: 3,634
Appendix I – Amazing Grace Traditional Form
Appendix II - Amazing Grace Revise Form
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