"Besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart like that induced by the study of the science of divinity. The proof of this is that the Devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of music almost as much as he does before the Word of God. This is why the prophets preferred music before all the other arts, proclaiming the Word in psalms and hymns. My heart, which is full of overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary."
Martin Luther
Perhaps we should all take some more time to sit and listen to good and edifying music. God created man to function in a holistic way, is it any wonder then that hearing something soothing might in fact settle our very spirits?
Perhaps we should all take some more time to sit and listen to good and edifying music. God created man to function in a holistic way, is it any wonder then that hearing something soothing might in fact settle our very spirits?
2 comments:
You know, I couldn't agree more with this (aside from the god and devil business) - I've always marveled at how much listening to music can effect my mood - and thus my day.
I thought it was odd though that he would say that the devil runs from the sound - he calls the devil the originator of restless troubles and sorrowful anxieties, and yet there is some music (a great deal, actually) that I couldn't describe better: full of deep distress and self-doubt. Would the devil run from this as well, or has he a part in creating it?
It seems that you hit on this as well, by clarifying and saying "good and edifying" music. So by Martin Luther's (and yours, sorta) definition of music can we assume that "bad" or "unedifying" music isn't actually music at all? And that, of course, leads to the question of who decides whats good or bad - and the fact that there might be differing opinions of this opens the door to the opinion that there is no good or bad, or at least no set good or bad.
This could be treacherous waters for a christian - because I believe that it leads to doubt in god (and, of course, the devil), but I also strongly believe that its a state that christians should strive for and possibly embrace; for not only the overcoming of such doubt would build strength, but would better help in your ministries. As you say, some one must always speak out - there are no exceptions.
So, to reel this in, and actually bring it back to bearing, might I add that we should not only take some time to listen to some good and edifying music, but also something a bit more...baroque.
I appreciate your thoughts on the matter. I think there is some music out there in which the artists are simply manipulating a cheap and easy emotion just to keep you buying their albums. I.e, making teenagers depressed, or singing about sex or looking good. Aside from that there is always the weird "artistic" pursuit of non-beauty, or non-art in which people merely record a bunch of background noise and sell it to you (Revolution no. 9 is a good example of this). Good art, and good music should serve to present a new perspective, or give you a well performed instrumental...doesn't matter what kind of music it is really.
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