"The Lamb, the Lamb,
O Father, where's the sacrifice?
Faith sees, believes
God will provide the Lamb of price!
Worthy is the Lamb Whose death makes me His own!
The Lamb is reigning on His throne!"
While I can't speak for other religions and some churches or denominations may run things differently, but music is quite prominent in most Christian based churches and services. Songs are how we remember stories. They are also a great way to keep children entertained during a service. I have a four-year-old niece who loves to sing the famed "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." That song will be in her head for many years to come.
Even way back before Hildegard von Bingen (1098 AD), music was used in the church to help people remember the words of songs. Not that they needed help with Kyrie, but many other songs like Ave Maria were much more durable and easier with a little music.
As far as does music has any spiritual impact or significance, I am not sure. In history, the sound of music had to be in unison, fourths, fifths, or octaves to be "good". Music with dissonant sounds was considered evil. In many religions and customs, people believed that what you listened to is what you would become.
In the video below Pastor Dave and Jason discusses music in the Bible.
Music to me is a way to convey emotions. I don't really feel any spiritual attachment to songs of the church. But I have witnessed how music in a church can affect other people. A friend invited me to go with her and her mom to a friend of theirs' church for Easter. The church was also part of a rehabilitation center. Most people there were either in rehab, got out of rehab, or knew someone who went or going through rehab. All the church really did was give a short sermon in between two hours' worth of songs. And I mean there were a lot of songs.
I was just there singing along when I looked around and saw so many people crying. There was a woman down on her knees praying. Then there was a man raising his hands to the air and belching the lyrics out with as much power as he could. It struck me that this music is like an angel to them. This music moves these people to not only believe but to have hope and give thanks.
What has been most important about Christian music is the words. That has been true form day one. For those men and women, I think the words had the most impact but, the lyrics would not have been as huge of an impact without the music. The music brought the spirit of the words to life and this applies to, I think, most all kinds of music.
Hi Hayley!
ReplyDeleteI agree music and lyrics formed together form a spirit and life together. At my church we don't have worship for two hours, but there are at least 6 songs played in each service. I have been to a few other churches before where worship music is the main focal point and I enjoyed those services as well. It is neat to watch other people and see how the music effects everyone differently. I think that just shows you the power of what a song/music can do for many different people! I would hate to imagine a world without music....
ReplyDeleteI agree that music is a way to convey emotions. Whenever, I didn't have the words to explain how I was feeling, I would find a piece of music that did. I believe music is extremely powerful and has the ability to heal. I enjoyed reading about your experience at the church because I truly think you saw music in a new light. It essentially healed them spirtually and gave them the ability to have a new found hope. So inspiring and touching! Thank you for sharing that story.
I also agree that the lyrics to a song can really move a person. In my own personal experience that has happened but even a simple ooo's or ahh's has moved me also. On top of that I've even witnessed that the ooo's and ahh's have moved other people...kinda like vocables.
ReplyDeleteMusic can create such a powerful experience for someone. I remember when I was more religious, I would also be moved to tears by music in our church services; they just meant so much to me at the time. Though I am no longer attached to these specific songs, I can certainly feel the moving power of this music elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI wish my old church had performed as much music in their service as yours did. Music means so much to me, and it would have definitely impacted my worship experience in a very positive way.
As you had mentioned, I think music is the most unique part of the worship song. The words of the songs are so powerful that it can melt our hearts and souls to praise the god.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t go to a Lutheran church, but I went to a Lutheran camp! I really enjoyed my times there and the music.
ReplyDeleteChurch is a place for broken people to be made whole. My neighbor worships at a Lutheran church.
ReplyDeleteI agree, music can effect the people around you. It seems like it can effect your mood, emotions, and how the whole mood of the room feels to whatever type of music you're listening to. Music can bring us all to very unique experiences!
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