I go to a church of Christ that has inherited the a capella tradition of singing. Personally, I think it is a beautiful thing when hundreds of voices join together to praise God. It can really raise the roof when all the parts are being sung and the chords come together so wonderfully. I know the praise in Heaven will be even more excellent. When it's excellent, it's fun to participate in making that praise—even if your part in it is only a joyful noise.
Orthodox Christians use a capella music in their worship because "human voices are capable of uttering rational praise" and instruments are not. I can take the tune of "Salvation Belongs to Our God" and it becomes "I Like My Hamburgers With Cheese" without the words of rationality attached.
Over the years, I've come to have three rules for music in church so that I can not only be comfortable with, but trust that it fulfills what God ordained it for:
- The music must have words.
There isn't anything special about So-La-So-Mi-Do-La-So until you add "Rock of Ages, cleft for me" to it.
- The words must be intelligible.
"How will they hear without a preacher?" It is also difficult to hear without clear words. I once heard a rendition of "A Mighty Fortress" sung in a church where there were so many echos the words turned to mush. After one verse, the preacher who was expounding the hymn exclaimed, "Wasn't that a great verse?" I couldn't help but think that I couldn't know because I hadn't understood a word that was said.
- The volume must be reasonable.
I've been in church services where earplugs were required to stand the music service not because it was so bad you didn't want to hear it, but because it was so loud and you wanted to hear afterwards. This is not only offensive, but physically dangerous to the congregation.
One reason I stay with the church I do is because of the music. Hymn choice is another matter, but that is for a different post.
Until next time, may His peace be with you.
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