I’ve heard recently that most memorization of scripture is done through music or at least the impact of certain scriptures is driven home through music. Almost every time I hear a song about Jesus leaving the 99 I can’t help but tear up. Also as I’ve grown in my relationship with God, it’s the dualistic music that speaks to the romantic in me. The sappy, codependent love song ballads of the 80’s are gross & talk about the sick love affair between 2 humans & no dualism is there.
That’s great that that music moves you. The moving characteristic is the animating force that is only of God’s Holy Spirit. There are people who are moved by the hard rock Christian music by Skillet, POD & Stryper. (I had to look those up since this music doesn’t move me). It’s what moves us toward our King that’s important.
I'll try to say this carefully, but like any "theme" in writing, there are attempts at this that work and others that do not. So while I think "Jesus is my boyfriend" can apply, I think it's mostly over applied.
I'm mostly not a music snob. My beloved child is a huge CCM fan and I'm mostly not. But . . . there is lots of stuff I authentically love (some of it surprising, some of it not). I really love Lauren's records and I think the songwriting is a huge part of their greatness (the singing is obviously great, and the production is first rate).
I like to say that a great song breaks your heart open. This applies to both "religious" music and "secular" music.
In my own writing, I'm happy when a song is open to that kind of interpretation and I have a least a few that fall into this sort of duality. I played a song for my wife and her immediate reaction was: Is this about me or about God? Both/and.
I’ve heard recently that most memorization of scripture is done through music or at least the impact of certain scriptures is driven home through music. Almost every time I hear a song about Jesus leaving the 99 I can’t help but tear up. Also as I’ve grown in my relationship with God, it’s the dualistic music that speaks to the romantic in me. The sappy, codependent love song ballads of the 80’s are gross & talk about the sick love affair between 2 humans & no dualism is there.
I'm not actually joking when I tell people that Richard of Chichester is one of my favorite songwriters.
That’s great that that music moves you. The moving characteristic is the animating force that is only of God’s Holy Spirit. There are people who are moved by the hard rock Christian music by Skillet, POD & Stryper. (I had to look those up since this music doesn’t move me). It’s what moves us toward our King that’s important.
*I'm behind on my reading.
But . . . YES!! Times a thousand.
I'll try to say this carefully, but like any "theme" in writing, there are attempts at this that work and others that do not. So while I think "Jesus is my boyfriend" can apply, I think it's mostly over applied.
I'm mostly not a music snob. My beloved child is a huge CCM fan and I'm mostly not. But . . . there is lots of stuff I authentically love (some of it surprising, some of it not). I really love Lauren's records and I think the songwriting is a huge part of their greatness (the singing is obviously great, and the production is first rate).
I like to say that a great song breaks your heart open. This applies to both "religious" music and "secular" music.
In my own writing, I'm happy when a song is open to that kind of interpretation and I have a least a few that fall into this sort of duality. I played a song for my wife and her immediate reaction was: Is this about me or about God? Both/and.
Beautiful. Thank you, Richard. I've heard the song a few times, but today at lunch I'm going to listen to it again, this time with reading the lyrics.
Wonderful message this morning. Not sure how I got this but I’m glad it came my way. Thank you.