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Biblical Tests for the Christian’s Music – Ephesians 5:10

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Biblical Tests for the Christian’s Music – Ephesians 5:10

19 September, 2021

Series: Contemporary Issues, Measuring the Music

Book: Ephesians

Pastor Simeon Western

Pastor Simeon Western

Notes Download

Scripture: Ephesians 5:10

Having studied the key Scriptural truths in relation to music, we need to learn to apply these principles in our music choices both in our personal lives and in the church. This session is a practical workshop where we analyze a series of music samples and seek to apply the Scriptural principles we have learned.

To that end we will use a music assessment sheet with four Scriptural tests to apply to music.

  • The Music Test
  • The Message Test (lyrics)
  • The Glory Test (performance)
  • The Separation Test

Some considerations with the use of this sheet:

  • Some of the questions are designed for the Christian musician. We should be willing to learn from the Christian musician who holds to a biblical framework for music just like we learn from the Christian scientist in his field of knowledge. In all things, the Word of God is the final authority!
  • Don’t worry if you can’t answer all the questions. Just fill it in the best you can and you should be able to answer enough to determine a song’s character.
  • The purpose of this exercise is to try and help you to establish a biblical framework in your heart and mind for making discerning choices with music. It is designed to get you applying the Scriptural principles in a practical way.
  • In summary, we want music where, as far as possible, there is a consistent message between the man (performer/artist), the music and the message.
  • When analyzing music, start with the very clear Scriptural pillars and use them as your primary reference points for determining if a song is sacred or not. Be careful of judging music based on your own opinions rather than the clear guidelines of God’s Word.

Tests for Chruch Music

On the basis of our studies regarding the Biblical Philosophy of Music, the student is encouraged to develop a music standard that would be suitable for an Independent Baptist Church music ministry. This exercise would help you to clarify your own convictions concerning music and to know if you would be able to serve in the music ministry of a particular church. In order to help facilitate such an exercise, the following questions are fielded.

In Relation to Melody

  1. Is the song built upon the melody, the harmony, or the rhythm?
    Basically, music that is primarily melodic is more complicated in rhythm than harmonically based music; if, on the other hand, the rhythmic forces are dominant, both melodic and harmonic elements are subdued. 1
  2. Is the melody distorted by unnatural syncopation?
    Syncopation sometimes arises naturally out of the rhythm of a melody. Rock produces an unnatural syncopation which reacts against the metre of a song and overpowers the whole metrical framework.2  This phenomenon is sometimes indicated by unnatural pronunciation of the lyrics.
  3. Is the melody distorted by scooping and excessive ornamentation?
    Ornamentation in music is like the adorning (Gk kosmos) of a beautiful Christian woman. (I Peter 3:3 c.f. Ez. 16:11)

In Relation to Harmony

  1. Does the harmony contour and beautify the principal melody of the song?
  2. Does any part of the harmony work autonomously?
  3. Does the harmony draw attention to itself and so detract from the beauty of melody?
  4. Does each harmony part move melodically?
  5. Are there any parallel dissonant intervals such as consecutive sevenths and ninths?
  6. Are there any chords that slide chromatically rather than resolve harmonically?
  7. Are there any dissonant harmony elements that do not resolve or whose resolution is so long delayed as to become almost detached from the harmony context?

In Relation to Rhythm

  1. Does the rhythm arise naturally out of the melody?
  2. Is the rhythm autonomous in its relationship to the rhythm of the melody?
  3. Does syncopation (if any) arise naturally from within the melody and thereby support the melody?
  4. Is syncopation forced onto the song from without and thereby upset the metrical structure of the song?
  5. Is there a rock rhythm in the song, with its repetitive, artificial stress on naturally weak beats?
  6. Does the rhythm draw attention to itself rather than the melody?
  7. Does the rhythm so dominate the song so as to subdue melody and harmony?
  8. If the worshippers were to put movement to the rhythm, what part of their bodies would they move and would their actions tend to be vulgar or even obscene?

In Relation to the Musical Trinity

  1. Is the music in balance melodically, harmonically and rhythmically?
  2. Is the ordering principle observed where the harmony gives its glory to the melody and the rhythm in turn supports the harmony?
  3. Does the music sound ―as one? II Chron 5:13

In Relation to the Lyrics

  1. Does the music support the natural metre of the lyrics?
  2. Does the music distort the natural metre of the lyrics?
  3. Does the music force the unnatural pronunciation of the lyrics?
  4. Are the lyrics true to the teachings of the Bible?
  5. Do the lyrics give our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ the reverence due to his Person?
  6. Do the lyrics have good doctrinal content?
  7. Are the lyrics so generic that the song could be sung to man rather than to God?

In Relation to Performance

  1. Do the singers and musicians portray the spirit of worship or showmanship?
  2. Do the singers portray the attitude of adoring saints or carnal lovers?
  3. Does the singer use breathiness to give the feeling of intimacy?
  4. Do the singers employ a harsh or throaty timbre?
  5. Does the singer use non-verbal sounds such as groaning?
  6. Is the appearance of the music ministry befitting an audience with the King of Kings?
  7. Is the dress code aesthetic, modest, gender distinctive and harmoniously adorned?

 

The Music Test

Is the melody primary? Does the song emphasis melody? “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19)
IN RELATION TO MELODY
Is the song built on?
  • Melody ☐
  • Harmony ☐
  • Rhythm ☐
IN RELATION TO RHYTHM
What Metre? 2/4,4/4, 3/8, 6/8 etc
  • 2/4 ☐
  • 3/4 ☐
  • 4/4 ☐
  • 6/8 ☐
  • 12/8 ☐
Balance with Melody/Harmony?
  • Muted ☐
  • Balanced ☐
  • Overpowering ☐
Syncopation?
  • Natural (from melody) ☐
  • Unnatural (foreign to melody) ☐
  • None detected ☐
If Rock beat what pattern?
  • da-DA-da-DA ☐
  • da-da-DA-da ☐
  • da-da-DA ☐
  • Other ☐
  • None ☐
IN RELATION TO HARMONY
Does it Beautify the Melody?
  • Plain ☐
  • Fair ☐
  • Beautiful ☐
Draw Attention to itself?
  • No ☐
  • Sometimes ☐
  • Pronounced ☐
Unresolved Dissonance?
  • Undetected ☐
  • Mild ☐
  • Pronounced ☐
  • None ☐
Sliding Chords?
  • Undetected ☐
  • Mild ☐
  • Pronounced ☐
  • None ☐
Any Jazz or Blues elements?
  • Jazz ☐
  • Blues ☐
  • Undetected ☐
  • None ☐

 

The Message Test

Do the lyrics communicate a clear, biblical message? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16) “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:24)
How are the lyrics pronounced?
  • Natural ☐
  • Unnatural ☐
  • Overpowered by the music ☐
Are they synchronized with melody?
  • In sync ☐
  • Ahead of beat ☐
  • Behind the beat ☐
Scriptural content & substance?
  • Strong ☐
  • Weak ☐
  • Generic ☐
  • Vague ☐
  • Repetitive5 ☐
  • Average ☐
  • Un-Scriptural ☐
High Honour to our Lord?
  • High ☐
  • Man-centred ☐
  • Cross-over ☐
  • Feelings/experience oriented ☐
Edification?
  • Spiritually Edifying ☐
  • Fleshly Entertaining ☐
  • Mix/in between ☐
Other?

 

The Glory Test

Does the performance bring glory to God? Is it spiritual and Christ centered or sensual, worldly and artist centered? “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19) “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)
Spirit portrayed?
  • Humble ☐
  • Affected ☐
  • Showmanship ☐
  • Sensual ☐
What kind of worship?
  • Adoring Saint ☐
  • Carnal lover ☐
  • Mix/in between ☐
Vocal techniques?
  • Natural resonance ☐
  • Breathy ☐
  • Throaty ☐
  • Groaning ☐
  • Vocal Fry6 ☐
  • Pop/rock Style ☐
  • Sensual/intimate feel ☐
Scooping & sliding?
  • None ☐
  • Mild ☐
  • Pronounced ☐
Vocal Ornamentation/Improvisation?
  • None ☐
  • Adorned ☐
  • Gaudy ☐
  • Subtle ☐
Appearance?
  • Modest ☐
  • Sensual ☐
  • Gender distinct ☐
  • Aesthetic ☐
Body Language
  • Sensual body movements (e.g., dancing, jerking) ☐
  • Hands Raised/gestures that draw attention to singer ☐
  • Intimate with microphone (e.g., hand held, close to mouth) ☐
  • Appropriate/Befitting a sacred song ☐
Edification?
  • Edifies the spirit ☐
  • Appeals to the flesh ☐
  • Mix/in between ☐

 

The Separation Test

Does the song and its composer(s) represent a dangerous bridge for a conservative, fundamental church to CCM and other compromise? “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” (Song 2:15) “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Gal. 5:9) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17)
Do the composers have links to blatant, unscriptural errors?
  • Charismatic Movement ☐
  • Ecumenical Movement ☐
  • World of Secular Rock and Roll ☐
  • New Evangelicalism ☐
  • None ☐
Do they have strong ties to the world

of CCM or is their reputation primarily that of a classical/sacred composer?
  • Yes ☐
  • No ☐
  • Unclear ☐
Any potential problems with their philosophy of music? Other issues?
Note: Knowing just where to draw the line in this area can be a challenge to navigate at times. If in doubt, seek counsel from your pastor or a godly Christian who understands the principles of godly music. Eph 4:11-14 “And he gave some…pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

 

Any final thoughts/observations?

 

Conclusion

Remember that good Christian music is built around melody, is an outflow of the filling of the Word and Spirit and its purpose is to edify the saints and exalt the Saviour (Eph. 5:18- 19; Col. 3:16-17)

Any final thoughts/observations?

 

References

  1. New Grove Vol XV p. 810
  2. Makujina p. 135, 149
  3. John Makujina quotes from Kimberly and Lee Smith‘s book, Oh, Be careful Little Ears. They say:
  4. The problem with rock is not syncopation per se, but a syncopated beat in dominance to the harmony and melody, which it usually overwhelms. Makujina expands: ―Kimberly and Lee Smith whose treatment of syncopation is one of the most nuanced and balanced of any CCM opponent, add that syncopation is misused (i.e. becomes unnatural) when it conflicts with the melody rather than complementing it… Oh, Be Careful Little Ears, 44-45,66.
  5. I.E., Lacks substance. Not many words repeated over and over.
  6. Vocal fry is “a way of speaking (singing) in which the voice is very low-pitched and has a characteristic rough or creaking sound.” (Oxford Dictionary)