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“Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought” (E. Y. Harburg).
Few would know Rachmaninov’s concerto, but many have listened to Celine’s song time and again. Why? Because it makes us feel. Music can calm us or make us angry. It makes us cry, inspires us, helps us There are debates about music in our remember good and bad times. Christian life, as well there should be be cause of its power. King Saul’s tormenting spirit comes to mind (1 Samuel 16:14-23). It is only Conversations on music have tended to through David’s music that Saul’s pain concentrate on genre/style differences is lessened. Music benefited Saul in the as we’ve decried one kind of music over midst of an attack by creating an atmoanother. This, often a personal or cultural sphere where evil could not continue to like or dislike, has fractured friendships be. In verse 22, Saul was “refreshed” by and churches all the way back to Gregori- the music. That word in Hebrew is ravan chants of the middle ages. It begs the ach, which means to breathe freely. The question, what constitutes appropriate word is also used in Job 32:20 where Job music for personal and worship use? seeks relief from terrible abdominal pain. This usage suggests that Saul’s body felt One of my favorite complete relief from his affliction as a composers is Sergei result of David’s musical abilities. Rachmaninov. Rach maninov’s magnifiI love music. It’s part of my daily commute cent Piano Concerto and on Sabbath afternoons I enjoy listenNo. 2, Op. 18 is a ing with the volume turned up, much to my wonder of classical family’s chagrin! I like a wide variety of mumusic that speaks to sical styles and artists as I’ve lived in many deepest human emo- countries and have experienced cultural tion with nostalgic, influence on musical genres, but I never evocative chords. forget music’s power. I use four principles to help determine the spiritual appropriIn 1975, Eric Carmen wrote “All by Myself”, ateness of the music I’m listening to: a song inspired by the second movement. You may not know Eric, but his song was 1. Will this inspire me in terms of the battle made famous by Canadian chanteuse between good and evil? Celine Dion. 2. To what or whom is it pointing me? 3. Is it consistent with the Fruit of the SpirCeline’s hit was produced by David it in Gal 5:22-23 and my Christian values? Foster, who arranged it to have the sad, 4. Does it create an atmosphere where nostalgic feeling of Rachmaninov’s piece. evil cannot be? However, Foster adds a ritardando (a gradual slowing) that takes the song from Music can be the ravach of our lives or it pessimism to optimism through an a capcan add to our agony. How will you use it pella key change said to be “the most ele- wholistically to beautify your life? gant key change in all of popular music.”
Terry Johnson
