Classical Music And Christianity

Pisteuo00

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With the connection to hellenistic thought, through the septuagint and the new testament, do you think that there could be an essentially Christian basis for the system of classical harmony that have been used in classical music? What does the bible have to say about melody, harmony, rythm, good sounding, bad sounding, contrast and ballance?
 
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Allen of the Cross

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The bible doesn't give specific instructions on musical terms. That said, here are some verses you may like. Now, a Psalm is a sacred song or hymn. Hymns are what are typically sung by Christians, but as you will see, instruments were often used.

(Ephesians 5:19) - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Psalms 105:2) - Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
(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.
(2 Chronicles 5:13) - It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;
(Psalms 150:4) - Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
(Psalms 144:9) - I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

There are many, many, many more verses like these. None really saying, "do this when you play a song," or "make sure you use this type of melody." You are free to sing and worship in any manner you like.

Some of the instruments included in the bible are:
Shofar. This is a horn. It was used often by the Israelites. It was the horn that was blown when the walls of Jericho fell.
Cymbals. Two small cymbals on a U-shaped handle that clap together.
Shakers/Rattlers. Likely a hollow clay shell with pebbles inside.
Frame Drum. A small drum usually used by women.
Reed pipe. A small wooden woodwind instrument.
Lyre. A stringed instrument, usually with 7 or 8 strings.
Harp. A stringed instrument, much like a modern harp, but with 10 strings.

Basically, if your heart is intent on worshiping the Lord, it seems you could make music by throwing rocks at a piece of tin if you wanted!

God bless you friend, may He guide you to further praise and worship.
 
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Pisteuo00

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Yeah, I'm perhaps, I may be a bit of a musical legalist, if it's composed before bach or mozart, I perhaps don't want to hear it, and it may be my sin, my sin of musical perfectionism. : )

You are right, I shouldn't be so judgemental about music, music that is good and godly conways that to us through our feelings, and that is the most important part of the music, that we feel good and godly feelings, when listening to good and godly music.

- and God bless you too! : )
 
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Pisteuo00

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The bible doesn't give specific instructions on musical terms. That said, here are some verses you may like. Now, a Psalm is a sacred song or hymn. Hymns are what are typically sung by Christians, but as you will see, instruments were often used.

(Ephesians 5:19) - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Psalms 105:2) - Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
(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.
(2 Chronicles 5:13) - It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;
(Psalms 150:4) - Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
(Psalms 144:9) - I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

There are many, many, many more verses like these. None really saying, "do this when you play a song," or "make sure you use this type of melody." You are free to sing and worship in any manner you like.

Some of the instruments included in the bible are:
Shofar. This is a horn. It was used often by the Israelites. It was the horn that was blown when the walls of Jericho fell.
Cymbals. Two small cymbals on a U-shaped handle that clap together.
Shakers/Rattlers. Likely a hollow clay shell with pebbles inside.
Frame Drum. A small drum usually used by women.
Reed pipe. A small wooden woodwind instrument.
Lyre. A stringed instrument, usually with 7 or 8 strings.
Harp. A stringed instrument, much like a modern harp, but with 10 strings.

Basically, if your heart is intent on worshiping the Lord, it seems you could make music by throwing rocks at a piece of tin if you wanted!

God bless you friend, may He guide you to further praise and worship.
Amen : )
 
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public hermit

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The tones, scales, and modes used in classical music are rooted in ancient Greek music theory. More directly, the so-called "Church Modes" came about by a mis-reading of Boethius's translation of that same Greek theory. The seven modern modes used today all have Greek names (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, etc.).

I think you can make an argument for Christian influence, but it would be a Medieval Christian influence.

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Musical_mode#Church_modes
 
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thehehe

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I'm actually writing a part of my thesis on the influence of God and of the angels in medieval music, so thank you for your question which gave me an idea for a new paragraph in it :)
Some medieval liturgists were convinced that music 'kind of' transformed every singer and musician into angels, and that musical harmonies were the best reflect of celestial harmonies, but they were also conscious of their Antiquity inheritance. They generally thought that Christianity made this inheritance ever better, and allowed music to reach perfection, but that, no one could actually say if it is true or not!
 
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Pisteuo00

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I'm actually writing a part of my thesis on the influence of God and of the angels in medieval music, so thank you for your question which gave me an idea for a new paragraph in it :)
Some medieval liturgists were convinced that music 'kind of' transformed every singer and musician into angels, and that musical harmonies were the best reflect of celestial harmonies, but they were also conscious of their Antiquity inheritance. They generally thought that Christianity made this inheritance ever better, and allowed music to reach perfection, but that, no one could actually say if it is true or not!
- bless you!
 
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