I question whether men can 'create' that which is 'Holy' without the direct instruction of God.
We see objects created, (Ark of the Covenant. Items to be placed in the Temple. A staff with snakes on it. Etc..........), by the direct instruction of God Himself.
But we have the commandment given to the Hebrews NOT to create 'graven images'.
So it's obvious the commandment doesn't include direct instruction from God. What it means is we are not to 'take it upon OURSELVES' to make 'graven images'.
Now, music. Go back and read WHO those were that created the first 'musical instruments'. What 'lineage'.
Now, a simple question: Is music a 'thing of this world'? If you say 'some' or 'no', then please explain to me how men are capable of creating that which is Holy. Prove to me that any song ever written was inspired by God.
Yes, we read that David 'danced' and 'sang' running around naked. We see Moses sister dancing and singing.
But show me where dancing and singing were practiced by Christ, or His apostles. Show me where people SANG in the gathering. Or 'danced' in the 'gathering'.
Let us examine this as it EXISTS. Not how one 'feels' or what satisfies their 'lusts'. Let us examine it without any 'influence'.
How 'important' is music in today's 'churches'? What amount of effort and energy is expended towards 'music'? How much money is spent on it. What does the 'Music Director' get paid? What percentage of the gathering is devoted to 'music'?
Now, show me the information offered in the NT that we are to offer such devotion to MUSIC. Where is THAT 'instruction' in the Bible?
If it were SO important as to take up a major portion of the 'collection', a major portion of the TIME spent in the gathering, do you REALLY believe that God would have left this UP TO US to determine? Or would He have offered some INSTRUCTION as to it's PLACE in the gathering.
We are given quite a bit of information about 'the gathering'. Mostly what we SHOULDN'T be doing. But NOTHING offered concerning 'music' being offered such a "high place" in The Church.
So if God didn't inspire the 'concept', who DID? Where did the IDEA come from?
Is music 'a thing of this world'? That is the ONLY question that needs to be answered to find the beginning of the path to knowledge concerning 'music' and it's PLACE in the 'churches'.
If you SAY: "It is inspired by God", PROVE it. Show me the EVIDENCE that music is a product of the direct inspiration of God. Otherwise, it's OBVIOUS that music is a 'thing of this world'. Created by MEN. But the scary part is trying to answer this question: "Where does the inspiration come from"? For if not 'of God', then 'something else'.
I assure you, there are people that enjoy the music in the 'church' more than learning about God or His Son. People that would not attend a 'church' without the 'music'. Yet no evidence in the entire NT that supports it 'in the church'.
Bible Gateway offer these TWO uses of the word music in the ENTIRE NT:
Luke 15:25
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard
musick and dancing.
Revelation 18:22
And the voice of harpers, and
musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee
These are the 'two' references to 'singing' found in the NT:
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16
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.
Notice that in the first we are to 'speak to OURSELVES' and that the 'melody' is to made 'in our hearts'.
The second offers NO evidence as to HOW we are discern what is indicated to be encouraged. How are we to determine a 'properly inspired' hymn? Just 'guess'? Or is anything written and devoted to 'a' god able to be 'Holy' by simply choosing ONE 'god' or another?
In other words, could I write a 'hymn' devoted to Satan who I call God? Could I sing a hymn devoted to the 'god' of this world? Could praise be offered to Satan in the guise of a hymn?
My point: Show me ONE song that can be proven to be "Holy". Simply offer 'evidence' that it is "Holy".
For you see, it is nothing other than 'influence'. And Satan is more than capable of 'mimicking' anything involving God.
Yes, he can be recognized by them that know HOW. But how many BELIEVE that they can recognize the Devil but are merely fooling themselves into a false sense of security?
Is 'music' a 'thing of this world'? Where did it 'come from'? It's 'inspiration'?
Just LOOK at how influential music is and what it appeals to. It appeals to the FLESH. We can be convinced to LOVE IT. Look how many people devote their entire LIVES to it. Yet what does it actually PRODUCE. Look at the IDOLS we make of those that 'make music' that we LOVE. And look at what a 'song' can DO TO US. Even those that are OBVIOUSLY 'evil' by their very nature.
Ever been to an AC/DC concert? Ever seen what happens to the audience when they perform "Highway to Hell"? I've never seen a group of people that are drunk or high join in something like the audience at one of their concerts when they perform this song. Yet it's like a Satanic Anthem. Where do you suppose THAT influence comes from? God? Or the 'god of this world'?
And just look at the 'appeal' of the performer through their MUSIC. They are like 'Pied Pipers'. People fall in LOVE with them that don't know ANYTHING about them other than the 'music'. Isn't that inherently DANGEROUS. To offer one's devotion to another that they DON'T EVEN KNOW. Only KNOW them through their MUSIC.
And just LOOK how corrupt most are when we DO get to 'know them'.
So, I ask: "Is music a 'thing of this world?" Or can you PROVE to me that there is ONE song that was directly inspired by God?
Blessings
MEC