Seventh-Day Adventists / The Divided Opinion Over Music
"The worship model found in the Bible is for energetic services with congregational participation."
There seems to be quite a strong case for energetic services based on the Bible and the early church pioneers. However, it is written by someone who listens to contemporary music. The argument sounds convincing but at this stage I am not convinced. I am not convinced that we should be shouting in church and making a lot of noise.
What are your thoughts? What can you share from SOP on this matter?
I feel alarmed as I witness everywhere the frivolity of young men and young women who profess to believe the truth. God does not seem to be in their thoughts. Their minds are filled with nonsense. Their conversation is only empty, vain talk. They have a keen ear for music, and Satan knows what organs to excite to animate, engross, and charm the mind so that Christ is not desired. The spiritual longings of the soul for divine knowledge, for a growth in grace, are wanting. {AH 407.3}
I was shown that the youth must take a higher stand and make the word of God the man of their counsel and their guide. Solemn responsibilities rest upon the young, which they lightly regard. The introduction of music into their homes, instead of inciting to holiness and spirituality, has been the means of diverting their minds from the truth. Frivolous songs and the popular sheet music of the day seem congenial to their taste. The instruments of music have taken time which should have been devoted to prayer. Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse. It excites, but does not impart that strength and courage which the Christian can find only at the throne of grace while humbly making known his wants and, with strong cries and tears, pleading for heavenly strength to be fortified against the powerful temptations of the evil one. Satan is leading the young captive. Oh, what can I say to lead them to break his power of infatuation! He is a skillful charmer luring them on to perdition. {AH 407.4}
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Angels are hovering around yonder dwelling. The young are there assembled; there is the sound of vocal and instrumental music. Christians are gathered there, but what is that you hear? It is a song, a frivolous ditty, fit for the dance hall. Behold, the pure angels gather their light closer around them, and darkness envelops those in that dwelling. The angels are moving from the scene. Sadness is upon their countenances. Behold, they are weeping. This I saw repeated a number of times all through the ranks of Sabbath keepers, and especially in _____. Music has occupied the hours which should have been devoted to prayer. Music is the idol which many professed Sabbath-keeping Christians worship.Satan has no objection to music, if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth. Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the mind from God, and engage the time which should be devoted to His service. He works through the means which will exert the strongest influence to hold the largest numbers in a pleasing infatuation, while they are paralyzed by his power. When turned to good account, music is a blessing, but it is often made one of Satan's most attractive agencies to ensnare souls. When abused, it leads the unconsecrated to pride, vanity, and folly. When allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse. Young persons assemble to sing and, although professed Christians, frequently dishonor God and their faith by their frivolous conversation and their choice of music. Sacred music is not congenial to their taste. I was directed to the plain teachings of God's word, which had been passed by unnoticed. In the judgment all these words of inspiration will condemn those who have not heeded them.--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 1, p. 506. {MYP 295.1}
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When music that by it's tones, syncopation, rhythm, time, and delivery cause the brain to respond by activating the lymbic system and deadening the forebrain so the sacred becomes distasteful and not interesting, that music is become Satan's tools, even when it has Scripture's words as lyrics. "by their fruits you will know them." CCM is a lie, using the same songs recorded without lyrics - sacred & ccm versions ( listen without lyrics ) watch the audience, play one style, ask them what the music made them feel, then play the other style, listening to this form of rock(ccm) music rhythms, timing, syncopation, delivery, styles, create the same emotions , thoughts, feelings that rock music does.
I wonder about "energetic" worship as I have witnessed rock beat in it and where did Reverence go. Personally for myself the two don't mix.
If our worship service is of any value the Presence of the High and Holy One, the great Sovereign over all of whose Personal Presence we would be consumed. Just because He is Present in Spirit don't make Him less Present!
In Spirit and in Truth is paramount and as high of Reverence as we can muster is a must!
Joh 4:23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Joh 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
I would say those two verses had better be heeded implicitly!
Following is three verses that need be heeded well also, as Christ in us is the Spirit of Truth.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.