Syncretism
SYNCRETISM – “the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.” (From dictionary.com)
Not being a fan of the rock band craze that has taken Christian music by storm in the last few years, I rather cautiously looked forward to an event I was obligated to attend in which this would be the predominant genre of music. It’s not that I think this genre is sinful or evil; it’s just not my preferred style. Granted, at times I swear I was born 100 years too late while at other times I am labeled a “music snob” by those who know me best, but there are some uses of music that I just cannot reconcile.
I have often wondered just why so many speak out strongly against so-called “Christian rock.” When you really think about it, you can’t label a particular style of music as “Christian” or “non-Christian,” “worship” or sacrilege.” I believe music, judged alone is neutral. What about electric guitars, driving drums, and a persistent bass with no vocals is inherently evil? On the flipside, what about a couple of violins, a viola and a cello is neutral? Or what about a pipe organ played at a slow tempo with big, 10-finger chords is inherently sacred?
I’ve gone back and forth with these kinds of questions for some years now. Is it that we identify the lifestyle of most rock musicians with negativity and worldliness and so we don’t want to imitate that in our Christian music? I’ve made this argument before on this very blog. But now I’m not so sure that lifestyle association is what bothers me.
Going back to the event I referred to earlier……..
The event featured several bands, singing mostly original material in the rock genre. Other than the fact that my ears were about to explode because the sound was literally parting my hair down the other side though I was sitting on the back row, the music itself was not an issue. What I could not reconcile were the gyrating, jumping, bending, mic-stand-throwing individuals who were playing and singing this music. Thinking it was just me, I looked around at the crowd – was I the only one feeling this way? The atmosphere was definitely not that of worship – save for a few old folks like me who were clapping or raising hands, determined to make the best of what was becoming an awfully embarrassing situation. I felt like I was at a nightclub – not that I’ve ever been to one, but I’m guessing that would be the atmosphere. People walking in and out, talking on cell phones, laughing with neighbors, you get the idea.
Well, let me end my musings by sharing Leviticus 10:3:
“’Among those who approach me I will show myself holy;
in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’”
This passage of scripture referring to the “strange fire” that was offered by Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, kept running through my mind. These guys got fried for offering a sacrifice that, underneath it all, was meant to bring attention to them instead of God. I wonder, could that be the issue at stake here? Not the music itself but the outcome. It’s an important question to ask, gyration or not.
Just thinking……
Not being a fan of the rock band craze that has taken Christian music by storm in the last few years, I rather cautiously looked forward to an event I was obligated to attend in which this would be the predominant genre of music. It’s not that I think this genre is sinful or evil; it’s just not my preferred style. Granted, at times I swear I was born 100 years too late while at other times I am labeled a “music snob” by those who know me best, but there are some uses of music that I just cannot reconcile.
I have often wondered just why so many speak out strongly against so-called “Christian rock.” When you really think about it, you can’t label a particular style of music as “Christian” or “non-Christian,” “worship” or sacrilege.” I believe music, judged alone is neutral. What about electric guitars, driving drums, and a persistent bass with no vocals is inherently evil? On the flipside, what about a couple of violins, a viola and a cello is neutral? Or what about a pipe organ played at a slow tempo with big, 10-finger chords is inherently sacred?
I’ve gone back and forth with these kinds of questions for some years now. Is it that we identify the lifestyle of most rock musicians with negativity and worldliness and so we don’t want to imitate that in our Christian music? I’ve made this argument before on this very blog. But now I’m not so sure that lifestyle association is what bothers me.
Going back to the event I referred to earlier……..
The event featured several bands, singing mostly original material in the rock genre. Other than the fact that my ears were about to explode because the sound was literally parting my hair down the other side though I was sitting on the back row, the music itself was not an issue. What I could not reconcile were the gyrating, jumping, bending, mic-stand-throwing individuals who were playing and singing this music. Thinking it was just me, I looked around at the crowd – was I the only one feeling this way? The atmosphere was definitely not that of worship – save for a few old folks like me who were clapping or raising hands, determined to make the best of what was becoming an awfully embarrassing situation. I felt like I was at a nightclub – not that I’ve ever been to one, but I’m guessing that would be the atmosphere. People walking in and out, talking on cell phones, laughing with neighbors, you get the idea.
Well, let me end my musings by sharing Leviticus 10:3:
“’Among those who approach me I will show myself holy;
in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’”
This passage of scripture referring to the “strange fire” that was offered by Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, kept running through my mind. These guys got fried for offering a sacrifice that, underneath it all, was meant to bring attention to them instead of God. I wonder, could that be the issue at stake here? Not the music itself but the outcome. It’s an important question to ask, gyration or not.
Just thinking……
posted by aahrens at
Friday, March 13, 2009
4 Comments:
hmmm... makes you think
I've thought of that "strange fire" analogy before, too. I think it ALSO applies to those "worked up" "shouting" services. GOD Almighty does NOT need a cheerleader; if people are moved to worship HIM exuberantly, that is one thing. It's a whole different deal when people are "eoncoraged" to holler, run, jump, etc. in "worship" of the LORD.
With reference to the "volume" of "so-called" church music these days: I don't think it has to be the "rock" genre that is ear-splittingly loud. In the majority of Pentecostal churches I've visited, the bass and drums are SO very loud, as is the case SOMETIMES with keyboards and OCCASIONALLY singers, that it is almost unbearable. It's not just old people putting in earplugs or coming in late deliberately to avoid the "song service." It's all just TOO loud (or "too youd" as one of my twin grandchildren says). There is NO need for the "music" to be painful to be worshipful! In fact, I believe that it tends to move people away rather than draw them into worship, which should be its intent.
"Complaining" to the pastor or the sound men does NO good whatsoever; it stays "too youd." (I don't complain since I'm usually one of the musicians, but I've seen or heard others do it.) AND ... the drummers and/or bass players get offended when they're told they're too loud and offending people. If the words of the song can't be understood from the singers or if the tune (and HOPEFULLY harmony) can't be heard, it's really not music but just NOISE! Also being "overy repetitive" is another problem. I was told this week that our church holds the record in Texas for singing the same song the longest.
So ... that's my "thought for the day."
Anon,
Your point reminded me of a discussion I had in one of the classes I teach at Gateway, "Worship and Hymnology." I'm blessed to have a tremendous group of students in that class this year and we had a great discussion on this topic. Barry Liesch wrote a book entitled, "The New Worship," which is one of the required texts for the course. In the book he fleshes out the word "performance" - a word we often see as taboo in our churches. But the bible is very clear that if performance is linked with service and ministry, then we will have a true biblical definition of worship. The congregation itself performs worship - not the praise team or the special singers or the choir, etc. If we as a CONGREGATION perform worship, then we get the audience right ----God!! We as musicians WORSHIP God by Spirit-led MINISTRY to the members of the congregation SERVE. When we do this, we AND the congretation end up with the right result - we WORSHIP God. The musicians worship Him by ministering and serving and the ministered-to congregation is thus able to worship him. Worship is a two way - minister to the people so we can all minister and worship the audience of ONE - Jesus Christ!!!!
AA
PS - by the way, nothing brings out the REBEL in me any more than when someone BERATES me for not running the aisles and shouting out my vocal chords!!! Wow - I could really go on and on and on here!!!
Well AA & Anon,
Your posts have got me thinking--Our Pastor always encourages us to worship and intercede at the end of service to create an atomosphere for someone to receive the Holy Ghost. Often I am not feeling like pushing through but I always submit (as does the rest of the church)and the Lord meets us there and beautiful things happen--someone may receive the HG or be healed. I trust my Pastor and I know that what he is doing is in the right spirit. But I dont know about the whole "working up a shout" thing. Maybe it depends on the intent....LD
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