ORIGIN OF MUSIC(1)

Music is learnt from our native language. From birth we develop a bias for music that we grow up knowing. Research has shown that music is tied to language. Therefore as language and culture divide us, so does music. “No one universal music style exists. The music of distant cultures can be as meaningless to us as ours is to them” Liesch (2001,178-180). Therefore our Adventist guidelines on the philosophy of music properly conclude that, “while realizing that tastes in music vary greatly from individual to individual, we believe that the scriptures and the writings of Ellen G White suggest principles that can inform our choices.”

The history of music development as shown by Mitchell (1978,127,132-133,137,139) reveals that the changing society at the middle of the twentieth century had the clear distinction between secular and sacred music. Secular music is the music composed for settings other than the worship service or private devotion. It speaks to the common issues of life and basic human emotions. It comes out of our very being, expressing the human spirit’s reaction to life, love, and the world in which the Lord has placed us. It can be morally uplifting or degrading. Although it does not directly praise and adore God, never the less it could have a legitimate place in the life of the Christian. Sacred music sometimes referred to as religious music is the music that focuses on God and on biblical themes. In most cases, it is music composed and intended for worship service, evangelistic meetings, or private devotion and may be both vocal instrumental music. However not all sacred/religious music may be acceptable for an Adventist.

 In 1950’s secular musicians like Bob Dylan started to write and sing songs that addressed issues that would fit in the church. By 1975 the popularity of such songs – which had now made their way into church worship – had marred the distinction between sacred and secular music.

Another inroad made by secular music into the worship of God was when nationalistic sentiments of independence years rejected missionary music and encouraged believers to adopt their own native music. The resultant was a floodgate opened for secular music to be legitimized in worship and the distinction with the sacred lost. Mitchell (1978, 128, 131-132) points to 1960’s as a particular time when Protestants and Catholics experienced change in worship music. First was “Bill Graham films and the use they made of pop sounds (though very little of this new sound found its way into the Graham meetings themselves). “Secondly Roman Catholicism in their determinations of the “Second Vatican Council among which were two matters of particular relevance here: (1)that around the world the liturgy was to use the vernacular language rather than the traditional Latin and (2) that congregational music in the vernacular was to be encouraged.”

History also shows that music is a victim of the passage of time and change. Songs which were purely secular in 1870’s are now considered distinctive sacred songs. In spite of this truth there has been a consistent call to distinguish between what is presently secular and what is presently sacred music. It is possible that the current secular music will be considered distinctive sacred music of the next century. But in order to give the gospel trumpet a certain sound, we should not lead in adopting secular music nor should we remain so far behind to the extent of being ‘irrelevant’. The criterion to determine whether a certain kind of melody or rhythm is Christian or secular is hard to come up with. “Upon recognition of this fact, ground of argument often shifts to the area of ‘association’. Certainly within a limited time frame the factor of association is an obvious and important one” Mitchell (1978, 136-137).

 “Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God.” Ellen G. White, The Patriarchs and Prophets.uk.594.

Jesus “held communion with heaven in song.” Ellen G.White, The Desire of Ages. uk. 73.

“Music is one of the highest arts. Good music not only gives us pleasure but elevates our minds and cultivates our finest qualities. God often has used spiritual songs to touch the hearts of sinners and lead to repentance. On the contrary, debased music breaks down morality and draws us away from our relationship with God”. Church Manual, uk. 143.

“We should exercise great care in the choice of music in our homes, social gatherings, schools, and churches. Any melody partaking of the nature of jazz, rock, or related hybrid forms, or any language expressing foolish or trivial sentiments, will be shunned”. Church Manual, uk. 92, 96,143.