Here is my essay. I hope you enjoy!
Music: An Idol?Can music become a “god” for a believer? Can and do some Christians use music as a substitute for God? My answer to these questions: “yes, I believe it is a definite possibility that music can become an idol.” I believe this because of two reasons: first, music is emotional and second, because the statistics show that American’s are heavily focused on music. Furthermore, once believers realize the potential problem, I believe there are several steps they can take to safeguard themselves.
I think music can become a “god” because music is emotional and more and more it seems that people are looking for emotional experiences to fulfill them. However, instead of looking to God, they are looking to things to fulfill them, such as love, sex, sports, hobbies, philanthropy, and all media, which includes music. All of these things are good in their own right and I think they can point us to God, but they should never be used in place of God. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, “‘Everything is permissible for me’-but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’-but I will not be mastered by anything.” Paul here is talking about things of a sexual nature, but the same concept applies to music. I know that it is far too easy for me to turn to music for comfort rather than to God.
I think music can become an idol because the statistics show that American culture focuses heavily on music. I would argue that the people of today don’t know what it’s like to be without music for just a week. I’m not just speaking of the Ipod Generation, but most Americans 40 and younger. In America, we have music constantly filling our day. Even if someone doesn’t often buy CDs or doesn’t own an Ipod, he or she can still hear music on the radio, in stores, at church, and from friends. However, not just American culture is focused on music. Most, if not all, other cultures have deep roots in music as well. However, no other country focuses on music as much as the U.S.
If anyone isn’t convinced that music is a gigantic piece of American life, then consider that according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, the global market for the music industry in 2004 was estimated at $32 billion! Consider also that from the 1900s-2000s the United States has led in album sales share for the entire world (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_industry)! The United States is listed at 37-40% of the world’s album sales. The second is Japan at only 9-12% (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_industry).
Is this love of music wrong? No! Music is something that God created and is pleased with. However, can one put music in the place of God? I believe that that is possible. When we turn to anything for help rather than turning to God, that thing becomes an idol. Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Consequently, believers ought to be very careful that our music does not come before our Lord. How can we do this? I don’t think there will ever be a simple solution, but I think these three things will help: First of all, music influences us strongly. We need to make sure that what we listen to is not separating us from God. Secondly, when we are struggling with something, we need to turn to God instead of turning to our music. Letting music be therapy is not wrong, but music should not get in the way of the Lord’s healing work. If it seems at some point that music is part of God’s work in us then we need to go with His leading. What is important is that we are receiving God’s healing however it comes. Thirdly, we need to not confuse an emotional experience with a God experience. Certainly, music can bring us closer to God and God affects us emotionally, but let us not fall in love with music or musical worship. Let us fall in love with God.
None of these are cut and dried. They are only beginning ideas. We need to follow what God tells us about our relationship with music and our relationship with Him. In this way I hope that music will not become an idol for any believer.
7 comments:
Wow, you've got some really interesting points there, Josh. I guess I've always thought of music as a way to strengthen your relationship with God; I've never questioned it's place in our lives. For me, events like Sonshine and even just worship or FUEL make me open my heart to God. Music allows us to express our deepest thoughts and feelings through words that are better and more fitting than our own. Do you know what I mean? There are some songs for me that just say everything I could never find the words to express on my own. But you're right, if you lose God and just worship the music, then it does become an idol, an inhibitor to your faith. Music has to be the supplement - your relation with God has to be the center of your life.
Thanks for the post. It really got me thinking.
Thanks for your thoughts! I really appreciate when people share. I totally know what you mean. Worship (in a musical sense) is one of favorite things to do. I do it probably every day.
I definately don't want to be making music sound evil because music is very important and I believe it can bring us closer to God's heart. However, I thought it was also important to discuss the other side of music.
Yea, I totally get that. You had a really interesting post and it really made me think. I'd never really thought about that before. Keep writing =]
ps This is Katie Cary if you didn't know.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I was wondering who I was talking with. Hey Katie! :)
Josh great article, it reminded me of what my youth pastor Paul Fosmark once said,"Music is the language of our emotions." Depending on the type of music, it will influence us for good or bad! Dad
Josh. Good points. Poorly written. Try a rewrite. I think you went too fast. Too much repetition. You are much more sophisticated than this in your thinking. There is no causative between emotion and idolatry. There is no link between lots of people enjoying music and idolatry. That being said, your conclusions are correct. But, everything in creation can become an idol as idols are created things. We are too look to the creator not His creation. That is easy enough, no issues there. So, what is it really about music? What are the specific signs of idolatry in others, but more importantly yourself? Why is silence so terrible to people? Why do we seem to instinctively want to live with some form of sound? Why is it that the most malajusted handicapped people are often those who were born deaf? I'd be interested in your thoughts on that.
I trust you don't mind the little bit of critique. I have intentionally not checked my "spelling" or typing as I want you to see and know that I too am capable of writting poorly.
Hey Bruce, I definitely don't mind your critique. Because it has been a little while since I wrote that essay, it took a bit of time to remember what I meant. I can certainly see how someone could look at what I said the way you did.
I said, "I believe this because of two reasons: first, music is emotional and second, because the statistics show that American’s are heavily focused on music."
I think I meant that differently than you took it. I think that anything that is emotional can become an idol and anything that we spend a lot of time focusing on can become an idol. My point was that these things put music at a higher risk of being idolized.
As for repetition: I think I tend to repeat more for school papers. I think it helps cover all bases.
Anyway, I do think that we feel the need for sound. However, it didn’t used to be that way. For instance, anyone who has had power go out in his house knows that it can sound deathly quiet. We are not used to not having a constant electric buzz in our ears, but before electricity it was never this way. Now we have computers, refrigerators, lights, and probably a bunch of other things that make low-level noise that we are so used to. Furthermore, we like to always have noise whether it be talking, the tv, or music.
Thanks for the thoughts Bruce. :)
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