afloat
How can the church stay relevant today? If even seminaries (no reference to any particular institute) are unwilling to leave their shell, simply holding on to the past for what it is rather than what it is for, how can they effect the relevance of the church to the world?
What place does traditional (Classical Western) music have in the church?
Classical music. Considered radical during its time. Pop music of the 17-18th century. Yet such brilliance belies it—the techniques, the message it portrays... All a reflection of culture, of its time. What makes compositions today different, then? Is it not also a reflection of culture today? Won't we be missing the point if we were to ignore it or touch it only with a ten-foot pole?
How do we carry classical music into this century? Education? Isn't shoving classical music down throats cultural imperialism in itself—an irony, since we (Singapore) are a considerable by-product of cultural imperialism? There must be respect given to classical music. Few today can appreciate the deep thought and amazing techniques that flow beneath pieces of the past. Much of current day mainstream pop music is a gross deviation from the foundations of the past—busy without thought; a wall of sound with simplistic beats and an juggernaut aim to rouse emotions and make money*. It's entertainment. It's business. But it is also a reflection of the culture today. Do we disengage? Surely not! I believe the Lord has allowed our culture to evolve to what it is today, and He is definitely not too worried about its influence on His ultimate victory. I also believe that God has given us culture for enjoyment—and within this delicate boundaries we live in the tension on how to interact with it wisely.
Sigh. It just isn't so neat, is it? Without obvious theology it already is so complicated—how much more will it take when we bring in the Word to work with this powerful, powerful tool that the Lord has gifted us with.
For now, I can only surmise that we should keep what is of value, and reconfigure it to have it relevant so as to engage today's society (still sweeping statements, but that's all my brain can process for now). The same goes for tradition, and theologies that have become prosaic... We need to shake off seeing God only as big (or small) as what we hold on to. And seek to incarnate in our present selves what is the living and active Word.
*Mostly referring to current day mainstream pop music, stuff that you hear on the radio. I would like to qualify that there are many musicians and producers and sound engineers who take their craft very seriously, but the musician intent and listener's response often vary.
What place does traditional (Classical Western) music have in the church?
Classical music. Considered radical during its time. Pop music of the 17-18th century. Yet such brilliance belies it—the techniques, the message it portrays... All a reflection of culture, of its time. What makes compositions today different, then? Is it not also a reflection of culture today? Won't we be missing the point if we were to ignore it or touch it only with a ten-foot pole?
How do we carry classical music into this century? Education? Isn't shoving classical music down throats cultural imperialism in itself—an irony, since we (Singapore) are a considerable by-product of cultural imperialism? There must be respect given to classical music. Few today can appreciate the deep thought and amazing techniques that flow beneath pieces of the past. Much of current day mainstream pop music is a gross deviation from the foundations of the past—busy without thought; a wall of sound with simplistic beats and an juggernaut aim to rouse emotions and make money*. It's entertainment. It's business. But it is also a reflection of the culture today. Do we disengage? Surely not! I believe the Lord has allowed our culture to evolve to what it is today, and He is definitely not too worried about its influence on His ultimate victory. I also believe that God has given us culture for enjoyment—and within this delicate boundaries we live in the tension on how to interact with it wisely.
Sigh. It just isn't so neat, is it? Without obvious theology it already is so complicated—how much more will it take when we bring in the Word to work with this powerful, powerful tool that the Lord has gifted us with.
For now, I can only surmise that we should keep what is of value, and reconfigure it to have it relevant so as to engage today's society (still sweeping statements, but that's all my brain can process for now). The same goes for tradition, and theologies that have become prosaic... We need to shake off seeing God only as big (or small) as what we hold on to. And seek to incarnate in our present selves what is the living and active Word.
*Mostly referring to current day mainstream pop music, stuff that you hear on the radio. I would like to qualify that there are many musicians and producers and sound engineers who take their craft very seriously, but the musician intent and listener's response often vary.
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