Music – Much More Than Memorable Melodies

Have you considered how much influence music plays in our lives – including those not musically inclined? Even folks known for accomplishments far outside the realm of music have acknowledged its appeal. For instance, Albert Einstein (you might have heard of him) said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music…I get most joy in my life out of my violin.”

 

Another Albert – physician and humanitarian Albert Schweitzer – stated, “Joy, sorrow, tears, lamentation, laughter – to all these music gives voice, but in such a way that we are transported from the world of unrest to a world of peace, and see reality in a new way, as if we were sitting by a mountain lake and contemplating hills and woods and clouds in the tranquil and fathomless water.”

 

Frenchman and renowned writer Victor Hugo observed, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” I think we’ve all experienced music stirring our spirits in ways we couldn’t audibly express.

Music’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom had been a dancer in her younger years, taught herself to play piano and organ, and we always had music in our house, whether on the radio or the stereo. Weekdays after school, we’d watch “American Bandstand” on TV, Dick Clark’s iconic showcase for the latest singers and bands.

 

Then music took an expanded role in my life after joining the percussion section of our high school’s championship marching band. I never became a great drummer, but enjoyed playing tenor drum, bass drum and cymbals. Being in the concert and dance bands as well gave me an enhanced appreciation for many kinds of music. 

 

We can’t escape it: TV shows and theatrical films feature music in their productions, and commercials use clever jingles or vocal and instrumental music for emotional impact. Some of us are old enough to recall theme songs for programs such as “I Love Lucy,” “All in the Family,” “Lassie,” “Bonanza,” "Mission:Impossible," and “M*A*S*H.”

 

Technology makes music instantly accessible via smartphone apps, headphones, satellite music stations, and digital format. However, music is as old as human history. I’m not sure what melodies Adam and Eve might have heard in Eden, other than the happy chirping of songbirds and wind playfully rustling through the trees, but we find references to music throughout the Bible.

We don't have to read much past Adam and Eve's eviction from Eden to find the first biblical reference to music. In Genesis 4:21 we read, "[Jabal's] brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe." Later in the Bible's first book we find Laban, father of Rachel and Leah, admonishing Jacob, "Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?" (Genesis 31:27).

Combining both instrumental and vocal music is emphasized in 2 Chronicles 5:13, "The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: 'He is good; His love endures forever.'"

The remainder of the Scriptures are replete with musical references, especially the Psalms. King David frequently returned to the music theme, especially in terms of worship. He wrote, "I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my strength, I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God" (Psalm 59:16-17).

David expressed in Psalm 40:3 the lyrical, life-changing impact of knowing God: "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him."

Another psalm exhorts us to celebratory worship: "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.... Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name" (Psalm 100:1-4).

In times of adversity, even in prison, music can lift our spirits as we trust in the Lord. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25). Moments later their chains fell off and a jailer who had witnessed the miracle humbly came to faith in Christ.

It's clear God places high value on music, even beyond this life. The Bible's final book, Revelation, records many times when the gathered saints offer praise to Him in song. Just one example is Revelation 5:9 in reference to Jesus: "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'"

The Lord's desire for music to infuse our relationship with Him is captured in Colossians 3:16, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Are our hearts singing with gratitude today for all He has done for us?

Legacies of Two Legends

Last week we lost icons from disparate realms of American society, both of whom forged enduring legacies.

Dick Clark burst into public consciousness as host of “American Bandstand.” I remember watching groups like Danny and the Juniors (“Rock and Roll is Here to Stay”), Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Seasons, the Beach Boys and Paul Revere and the Raiders, as well as vocalists like Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, Brenda Lee, Frankie Avalon, Ike and Tina Turner, and Bobby Darin.

Dick Clark (AP photo)

The Philadelphia-based “American Bandstand” regulars, who had their own fans, introduced us to dances like the Stroll, the Twist, the Pony, the Monster Mash.

Clark then expanded into entertainment entrepreneurship, hosting game shows, founding awards shows, and finally, creating what many people will most remember him for, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

His seeming perpetual youth, prior to suffering a debilitating stroke in 2004, earned him the label of “America’s oldest teen.” Without question, Dick Clark left an indelible mark on music and entertainment.

Entertainment was hardly the genre of choice for Charles Colson, the other departed icon. Politics was his initial arena, gaining notoriety as a driving force in Richard Nixon’s administration and being convicted as a key figure behind the Watergate break-in. For many in the unforgiving media, Colson’s involvement in that scandal dominated his obituary coverage.

However, through the humiliation of that scandal and subsequent imprisonment, Colson became a changed man and, ultimately, a major voice for Christianity in the U.S. and around the world.

Charles Colson

Along with President Jimmy Carter, Colson brought the term “born again” into common conversation with his autobiography, Born Again. He went on to write many other books and countless articles about the intersection of faith with everyday life and public service. A popular and eloquent speaker, Colson cast aside the stereotype of Christians being unthinking dreamers. Instead, he helped establish Christianity as both reasonable and rational, worthy of earnest debate and defense.

I had the privilege of hearing Colson speak on several occasions and interviewed him once for a magazine article, finding him engaging, challenging, and genuine in his devotion to Jesus Christ.

Along with his role in biblical apologetics – defense of the faith – Colson also founded Prison Fellowship, a ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. His own experiences in prison helped him to realize, “You can’t leave a person in a steel cage and expect something good to come out of him when he is released.” His focus on compassionate prisoner rehabilitation, anchored in Christ’s transforming power, was revolutionary.

Dick Clark changed how we were entertained. Chuck Colson provided evidence of how lives can be changed, turning self-driven ambition into selfless service. He also proved God can use even pride and imprisonment for His divine purposes: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).