Having once made my living in the field of Gospel music, and as one somewhat yet involved, it is always enjoyable to meet and/or share with another of musical interest and experience. Such was the case a couple evening ago in which, at a nearby church, we met a gentleman whose background has included traveling with a professional Southern Gospel quartet. It was a pleasure to accompany him at the piano on a couple songs.
Few, if any of us, are unaware of those who, in all sincerity, dispense with instrumental music in their worship services. While obviously not of such persuasion ourselves, we have had both friends and relatives who were. Nor would we in any way disparage their faithfulness to such conviction. (We do recall one individual who, in eschewing the use of "artificial mechanical means" in worship, seemed somewhat stymied when asked as to whether his church had a sound system. But, such is not our point here.)
Paul advises a discriminating perceptiveness concerning that which is, as opposed to that which is not, of a vital nature. Some early believers, he observed, were of the persuasion that God desired their commitment to a vegetarian diet. What one eats, the apostle continues, is in reality not a matter of spiritual consequence. At the same time, to violate one's conscience concerning matters of this nature represents a willingness to go against that which he deems to be wrong. God accordingly accepts it as such (Rom. 14:1-4ff). "Therefore," Paul summarizes, "let us not judge one another any more, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way" (vs. 13). The foregoing applies to more than a few concerns of essential unimportance.
And speaking of music, our own gentle, soft-spoken grandfather - himself a not incapable finger-style guitarist - was persuaded that churches no longer committed to singing "Southern" style songs were likely in danger of "backsliding." Having now passed into the presence of the One attended by music such as we have yet to hear, he has, I am sure, come to recognize the inadequacy of such viewpoint.
Our own favorite songs? How about: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"; "To God Be the Glory"; Amazing Grace"; "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"; "How Great Thou Art"; "O How I Love Jesus" - to name but a few? We shall, however, pass on "My Mother's Bible"; "When David Danced Before the Lord, Did He Dance the Polka?" or, "When I Get to Heaven, I'm Gonna Have Sparkly Shoes and a New Cadillac."
Burl Ratzsch
