My mother’s birthday is this month. I have the opportunity to share it with her to a degree that has been impossible for years — since I was in college, really. We are within easy driving range; popping over to Burnet for lunch is a real possibility. So I’m going to try to do it,…
Three eggs, scrambled, with salt and pepper, tucked into two flour tortillas. That has been my breakfast of choice since I (1) decided to increase my protein intake and (2) heard eggs weren’t as unhealthy as I had been told. What a beautiful day that was!
But I’ve finally given up on my skillet of choice. I prefer nonstick cookware for reasons that speak for themselves. But this particular surface was starting to erode, making “nonstick” a bit of a misnomer.
The time of the judges is neatly summarized in Judges 17:6 — “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” Similar thoughts are repeated several times in the last few chapters of the book. But just in the first part of the first story we see several issues that a godly king such as David, Jehoshaphat or Josiah might have been able and willing to stave off.
In heaven you will find holiness; in hell you will find wickedness and impurity (Revelation 22:14-15).
In heaven you will find those who obeyed the gospel; in hell you will find those who did not (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
In heaven you will find Jesus (John 14:3); in hell you will find the devil and his agents (2 Peter 2:4).
What does two hours of “worship piano” sound like? I had to know. After all, the all-knowing YouTube seems to have thought I would like it.
And I did, I guess. I love piano music. Very relaxing, very melodic. As good, at least, as the rain forest noises that accompany my typical Sunday afternoon nap.
I wouldn’t call it “worship,” though. If you want to argue the piano player was “worshiping” during the performance, we can have that discussion another time. But I certainly wasn’t worshiping. I was listening.
Advocates for a capella (or non-instrumental) music in worship frequently turn to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Neither of these prohibits instruments in so many words; rather, they describe the actions of worshipful, thankful hearts as they address their Father to offer Him praise. That said, these and every other passage in the New Testament that refer to music in the assembly mentions and emphasizes singing. Instruments are not mentioned at all.
This constitutes a pattern.
They held a “Beyoncé Mass” in San Francisco a few weeks ago. It was what it sounds like — a religious service centered around the music, politics, and general awesomeness of Beyoncé Knowles West. A good time was had by all.
The famous Gallup polling company recently did some research as to why people attend church assemblies. The biggest two reasons: sermons that teach about Scripture, and sermons that help relate Scripture to everyday life. The smallest response came with regard to “a good choir, praise band, or other spiritual music.” Interesting.
