Music doesn't save (was Re: Dan Dean)

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Though I would agree that music does NOT save, it does play in an integral part
in worship.  Perhaps I have attended to many music conferences, but we were
consistently taught that music (and the accompianying worship) were simple
conditioners for the Word of God.  Many people who have been involved in the
pressures of the world all day require the intermediacy of music to prepare
them to receive the Word.

I have been the organist at our church for several years.  Sometimes I back
up the pastor toward the end of his message, but usually by then the worship
is already in 'full swing.'

I do find it faulty to shout to music and not to the preached word of God.
It seems like some can get excited about 'When I think of His Goodness . . .
I could dance, dance, dance all night,' but have a hard time raising their
weary hands when the preacher's preaching about faith, salvation, Heaven,
etc.

As an organist, however, I reserve the right to leave my instrument to
worship.  Some of the most beautiful moves of God occur when we lay aside
formalities, beating drums, screeching organs and simply worship in the
beauty of holiness.  When I shout, they generally shout to no music at all.

We recently held revival with Bro. Crume from Alexandria, LA, and I appreci-
ated very much that at several altar services he required no music at all.
There was just pure worship and pure prayer not pumped up by any beat.
Truly, you can feel God in your midst when worship is spontaneous.

To comment on the experiment, I remember a particular service some years
back where our bass player (no disrespect to him) was chomping at the bit
to launch into 'shouting music' (that 1-5 maniacal beat with a constant
bass run), but the problem was that no one was shouting.  I told him I
didn't want to play it because that was obviously not the response.  He
said:  'Let's make 'em shout!'  I was amazed.  I told him if that was his
motive, then I was afraid it was very wrong indeed.  Music should never
make anyone shout.  God's awsomeness should be motivation enough.

All Honour to Christ Jesus,




Matthew Shaw
00mcshaw@bsu.edu