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HYMNOLOGY
and
THE CHRISTIAN and
MUSIC SEMINAR
NOTES

by

Dr. Fred Wittman

Table of Contents

Introduction..................................................................2
Psalms and Hymns.......................................................3
Spiritual Songs..............................................................4
Difference between Hymns and Spiritual Songs..........5
Choice of Words..........................................................5
Other categories of Sacred Music................................6
Chant............................................................................6
Gospel or Sacred Folk Song.........................................6
Negro Spiritual.............................................................6
Hymn Words Corrected Doctrinally.....................insert
Singing with Understanding.........................................8
A Study of Dancing in Scripture..................................9
The Christian and Music Seminar Lessons:
   #1: Where Do We Begin?........................................13
   #2: How did Music Get to 20th Century?................14
   #3: What is Music?..................................................16
   #4: Does Music Really Affect Me?.........................17
   #5: Elements of Music That Make a Difference.....18
   #6: Principles Evaluating Contemporary Music......22
      Precise Translation Scriptures in Lesson #6.........23
   #7: Principles for Evaluating Music ........................26
Conviction or Preference? .........................................28
What Does It Take to Be a Person of Conviction? ....29
For a sampling of Scriptual Songs ..............................30

HYMNOLOGY NOTES
by Dr. Fred Wittman

"Because of this stop becoming imprudent⁺ ones! but [^{on the contrary}] ones persistently understanding⁺ what the determined will of The Lord ^|is^|. ¹⁸And stop getting yourselves drunk with wine, with which is debauchery! but [^{on the contrary}] continually be being filled fully with The Spirit! ¹⁹Repeatedly commune [^{present imperative participle: to speak}] to yourselves in Psalms and in hymns and in spiritual songs, by singing praise and by making melody to The Lord in the heart of yours^&, ²⁰and repeatedly give thanks [^{present imperative participle}] all the time in behalf of all things to The God and Father in The Lord of ours, Jesus Christ's name . . ." (Eph. 5:17-20*).

"And the peace of God is continually to arbitrate [^{to umpire}] in your^& ^/hearts, unto which also you^& were summoned into one body!And become thankful⁺ ones! ¹⁶The Word of Christ is continually to indwell richly in you^& in all wisdom! Repeatedly teach and repeatedly admonish yourselves in Psalms and in hymns and in spiritual songs, by means of grace in your^& hearts, repeatedly singing praise to The Lord! ¹⁷And everything, what ever you^&; do in word or in work, all^~ things ^|are to be done^| in ⁰Lord Jesus' ⁰name, repeatedly giving thanks to The God and ⁰Father through Him!" (Col. 3:15-17*).

INTRODUCTION: These verses indicate what the determined will of The Lord is. Many are wondering, searching, and praying to know what The Lord's will is. Yet God in Scripture has indicated plainly, directly, and to the point exactly what His will is. Many are looking for specific service or direction which is yet unknown to them. Yet there is no consideration for that which God has made known. But until that which God has plainly revealed as His will for every child of God is precisely, exactly, promptly, and persistently obeyed, the desired specifics will not be revealed. There are two parts to understanding the will of God for every true child of God. Generally, more preaching emphasizes the first to the exclusion of the second. Whereas both parts are equally important.

Firstly, stop getting yourselves drunk, but on the contrary continually drink of The Holy Spirit so as to be continually being filled fully with Him and with the Word of God, so that He controls you just as wine or liquor controls the one who is drunk! Without The Word of God the Spirit of God is mute. The Holy Spirit controls through The Word. And it is commanded that The Word is continually to indwell us richly in all wisdom. This requires sound doctrine. So it is absolutely necessary to read, study, memorize, and meditate upon The Word of God, The Bible and to faithfully obey it.

Secondly, The Holy Spirit is to control you to repeatedly commune to one another corporately in church services and in worship by repeatedly teaching and repeatedly admonishing one another through singing praise and by making melody in Psalms, in hymns, and in spiritual songs to The Lord in your hearts, as the Word of Christ richly indwells in you. Not only is the will of God for every child of God to be continually being filled with (controlled by) The Holy Spirit, but each one is to be repeatedly teaching and repeatedly admonishing each other through the Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that we sing, while at the same time singing praise to the Lord. Therefore our music, especially our singing, has a twofold thrust and purpose. Not only is it Godward for the purpose of praise in order to please God, but it is also manward in order to teach and admonish the others in the congregation. In Greek, the word kindred to the noun teaching' is the word doctrine.' Therefore if we are not teaching truth or correct doctrine, we are being false prophets or false teachers. It is imperative that we are absolutely sure that what we sing is according to the Scriptures. So we must understand that which we sing. Paul told the Corinthians, "I will make melody [^{sing a Psalm, Ps. 47:7 LXX}] by means of the spirit and I will make melody by means of the comprehension also" (1 Corinthians 14:15 cf. Psalm 47:7b). We are to comprehend what we are singing while we are singing (see notes on Singing with Understanding inserted at page 6).

This again requires the true child of God to read, study, memorize, and meditate upon God's Word. This requires time and effort by each one. Then it requires understanding the kind of music that pleases the ears of God, which does not necessarily please the ears of humans, especially music of the modern worldly culture. But why do we have music in the gatherings of The Church? Is it to attract, please, satisfy, and / or entertain the humans who attend or to draw attention to the performers and applaud them? Or is it to glorify God and to enhance the homage, adoration, and devotion of God's people to lift up their hearts, souls, and praises in a manner that pleases God and conforms to what He has indicated in His Word That He expects to the exclusion of applause and acclaim of humans?

The kind of music that pleases God is music that fulfills God's determined will. This is the kind of music God has determined for the Church of Christ, His Body and Bride to enjoy. Since The Church is not found in the Old Testament, but only in the New Testament, reference to Scripture for explicit instructions must be from the New Testament. However, much can be gleaned from the Old Testament. But keep in mind that what was practiced by Old Testament personalities was not always in keeping with what pleased God. They were limited in understanding because The Word of God was in the process of being recorded and not completed until the end of the first century A.D. So some things that the Bible records are not necessarily God's order for His Church and occasionally do not please God (i.e. David dancing to play before The Lord,' ( 2 Sam. 6:14-16, 20,21 cf. Ex. 20:26; 28:42). Where in Scripture is God pleased with dancing?). But some will cite this as a reason for Christians to dance in church (see notes on A Study of Dancing in Scripture inserted at page 6).
But God's order and reference to the kind of music that pleases God is expressed in these two cited passages of Scripture. Paul twice clearly indicates that God-pleasing music in the will of God comes in three forms: Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs
We have heard of these. We are familiar with the words. But do we understand the meaning of each and can we describe them as they were understood in the first century A.D. and should be understood today? Notice the order they are given is the same in both passages. Therefore they are listed in descending importance. Is that the value given in the church of the present day?

I. Psalms
These are the Psalms of the Bible, either directly translated or poetically rewritten, put to music, thus expressing heartfelt thanks to God for all He is, for all His works, and for personal blessings (beneficent favors making happy). The Hebrew Hymnbook, known as the Psalter was used by the early church. Examples in many Hymn books: Psalm: 23 (Praise #366); 119:11 (Inspiring Hymns #158; Praise #120); 150 (song sheet) 27:1(sheet music); 89:1 (Living Hymns #736).
The Reformed Presbyterian Church began from the earliest hours of the Reformation to put the Psalms in metrical form. In A.D. 1950 the synod printed a 1946 revised edition of all 150 Psalms. It is stated in the introduction to that Book of Psalms with music, "By the same Spirit (of The Lord) the great Apostle to the Gentiles, surveying the devotional needs of all ages to come, instructed the worshippers in the New Dispensation to use the Book of Psalms inspired of God, Singing,' as he said, with grace in your hearts to the Lord.'"

II. Hymns
A Hymn is a sacred poem of praise, adoration, or thanksgiving correct in doctrine, expressive of devotion or divine truth which glorifies God, The Father and His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ and these alone (not the Holy Spirit apart from the Trinity) and fit to be sung by an assembly of people in a public gathering of the church. A Hymn is dynamic both in words and in music.

(For substantiation of exclusion of Holy Spirit alone, see John 4:23,24; 14:26; 16:13-15 and consult Notes on Pneumatology, The Doctrine of The Holy Spirit by Wittman, an exhaustive study including every verse in the Bible mentioning The Spirit of God. In no reference in Scripture is The Holy Spirit alone praised, addressed in prayer, or worshipped apart from The Father and The Son).

Qualifications for a hymn:
   1. It must be sacred poetry.
   2. It must be Scripturally accurate and orthodox in doctrine.
   3. It must be general or corporate and not individual or personal (we, not I).
   4. It must not have too much imagination, bizarre figures of speech, or forced fanciful phrases.
   5. It must be spiritual and devout (about God not a nation or country).
   6. It must be directed to and glorify God The Father and His Son.
   7. It must press a firmness to music (thoughts of words expressed enhanced by the music).
   8. It must be simple and direct in thought with little or no repetition.
   9. It must be dignified and strong.
Some basic categories into which hymns fit:
   1. Adoration
   2. Homage
   3. Thanksgiving
   4. Praise
   5. Invocation
Examples: O Worship the King; O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing; Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise; How Great Thou Art; All Hail the Power of Jesus Name; The Church's One Foundation; I Sing the Mighty Power of God; A Mighty Fortress Is our God; Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee; God our Father, We Adore Thee; The Matchless Worth; Holy, Holy, Holy; Praise The Savior, Ye Who Know Him; To God Be the Glory; Love Divine, All Loves Excelling; O God Our Help in Ages Past; All Creatures of our God and King; Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.

III. Spiritual Songs
A spiritual song is a sacred poem, which is correct in doctrine that expresses or exhorts relationship to God and to The Lord Jesus Christ and is directed toward or addresses people, fit to be sung by an assembly of people in a public gathering of the church. Spiritual songs express relationship to God and The Lord Jesus Christ.
Ten Spiritual Song Rules:
     1. It should have simple meter.
     2. It should be strongly rhythmical, but not extreme.
     3. It should mate with the words.
     4. It should have simple melody and harmony.
     5. It must be tuneful.
     6. It should have one syllable to one note.
     7. It must be vocal in character.
     8. It must progress as it proceeds.
     9. It should be original.
   10. It must be Scripturally accurate and orthodox in doctrine.
Some basic categories into which spiritual songs fit:
   1. Salvation
   2. Consecration
   3. Edification
   4. Exhortation
   5. Testimony
   6. Revival
   7. Devotion
   8. Invitation
Examples: In My Heart There Rings a Melody; Since Jesus Came into My Heart; Onward Christian Soldiers; I've Found a Friend, Oh, Such a Friend; He Lifted Me; In Tenderness He Sought Me; Wonderful Grace of Jesus; Standing on the Promises; Softly and Tenderly; Just as I Am; I Will Sing of My Redeemer; One Day; No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus; Make Me A Blessing; Channels Only; Have You Any Room for Jesus? Redeemed.

The Difference between Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Hymns are worshipful and directed to or address God, The Father and to The Lord Jesus Christ, while spiritual songs are devotional, appealing, and directed to or address people. Anthems can be a Psalm, a Hymn, or a Spiritual Song which includes Scriptures sung antiphonally or responsively.

Dealing with the Choice of Words
Sometimes the choice of words are too individualistic to be sung by the whole congregation. Sometimes the expression of the hymn or spiritual song is too extravagant or contains error mixed with truth.
Four rules to employ in analyzing the choice of words:
    1. Beware of imagination carried to excess!
    2. Beware of unusual and bizarre figures of speech and associations of thought that distract!
    3. Beware of fanciful phrases and avoid the sentimental and trite!
    4. Beware of wrong doctrine!

Songwriters, who have been newly saved, do not understand all sound doctrine and are prone to fit the rhyme to the meter and rhythm, to the sacrifice of truth. It would be well if they were discipled and their works checked before acceptance by the Church at large. Instead their talent is quickly accepted and as a result God's people are expected to sing lies (because if it is not God's truth, it is a lie). And if the content is a lie, how can we fulfill the will of God in teaching and admonishing to obey the truth to one another?

It is essential for God's people to know what The Scriptures teach concerning God, Christ, and The Holy Spirit. Great burden and awesome responsibility is placed upon the elders and shepherds to guard and protect the flock from false doctrine (Acts 20:28-31; Ezekiel 34:2-10). This includes guarding the sheep from the subtle entrance of false doctrine through music and singing.

Psychologists tell us that people, especially young people come to believe what they sing.

In order to avoid singing lies, which are found in some good and well-loved hymns, a sheet providing words that enable us to sing correct doctrine is provided two up on a letterhead which can be copied and cut in half to fit in the average Bible for ready reference. It is inserted here after page 4.

Other Categories of Sacred Music

I. Chant
Chant is the sim plest and primitive form of choral singing for psalms, canticles, and litanies in the organi zed liturgical churches by means of intoning or monotoning several words, a phrase or clause. The first and thereafter the official ecclesiastic music used in liturgy was developed by Pope Gregory, the great (A.D. 540-604) late in the sixth century (c. A.D. 590). The chant was modified in the tenth century. But in 1903, mistakenly convinced that the chant was the highest type of sacred music expression, Pope Pius X issued a bull ordering the complete restoration of the chant.

II. Gospel' or Sacred Folk Song
The 'gospel' or sacred folk song has come to us out of the growth of 'spirituals' which were the folk songs of Europe. The chorus or refrain was inherited from the 'spiritual.' Also, it has free rhythm, repetition of words in the chorus, simplicity in melody, and harmonic progression and balance.
However, it made a change from the minor mode which is characteristic of the early 'spirituals.' The Gospel Song usually has one thought expressed in many stanzas. Its origin goes back to 1850 and the first Gospel Song Book was published in A.D. 1859.
   Characteristics of a gospel' or sacred folk song:
     1. It is free in form.
     2. It is emotional in character.
     3. It is devout in attitude.
     4. It is evangelistic in purpose.
     5. It's subject is personal in material and development.

III. Negro Spirituals
These are musical expressions of the southe rn Negroes' peculiar religious ardor emanating from the days of slavery. "A sincere and naive confidence in God's love for the oppressed, an unshakable belief in the joys of a paradise for the good people, and the pangs of hell for the wicked animate these songs in words and music in a quite unique manner" (American Peoples Encyclopedia).
   "Spirituals" first came to the knowledge the American public c. A.D. 1875.

SOME HYMN WORDS CORRECTED DOCTRINALLY
And Can It Be 3. second line: Emptied Himself. but NOT of love etc.

Cleanse Me 4. O Holy GOD, revival comes from Thee: etc.

Christ for the World We Sing All verses second phrase: CHRIST To THE WORLD we bring

Come Thou Almighty King 1. second phrase: LEAD us Thy Name to sing, etc.

Day by Day 3. PROMPT me then in every tribulation . . .
PROMPT me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, etc.

Draw Me Nearer, Nearer Chorus. Last phrase: To Thy-SELF NOW GLORIFIED.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise 3. second line: ETERNAL (or: In new life) Thou livest, The True Life FOR all; etc.

Happiness Is to Know the Savior Substitute JOYFULNESS for happiness throughout the chorus.

Jesus Is Coming Again Chorus. fourth phrase: May be evening BUT 'TWILL BE SOON, etc.

Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen in Me Third phrase: O Thou SAVIOR Divine, ALTER THIS LIFE OF MINE

Majesty Majesty! RESPECT His Majesty! etc.

Open Mine Eyes That I May See All verses last line: ILLUMINE ME, SAVIOR DIVINE!

Send the Light! 2. HAVE YOU heard the Macedonian call to day?

The Christ of the Cross to the tune of The Old Rugged Cross                                                                       F. R. Wittman

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame.
   It was on that old cross where the dear Lamb of God, for a world of lost sinners was slain,
Chorus:
  So I'll cherish The Christ of the cross Till my trophies at last I lay down;
  I will cling to The Christ of the cross And some day I will give Him my crown.

2. Oh, The Christ of the cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to suffer on dark Calvary.

3. On that hill far away on an old rugged cross, The Savior of sinners was slain.
And I love that blest Christ, Who in love for the world, endured all wrath's suffering and pain.

4. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wonderful meaning I see;
For 'twas on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died to pardon and purify me.

5. Oh, The Christ of the cross shed His blood so divine in agony there on the tree;
After rising again, He ascended on high to redeem and to justify me.

6. To the Christ of the cross I will ever be true, His shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I'll share.

Repeat chorus after each verse

We've a Story to Tell to the Nations
chorus:
For Jesus may come in the morning,
Or He may come at noonday bright,
Or Christ may come to receive His own
In the middle of the night!

What If It Were Today? 1. Jesus is coming IN CLOUDS ABOVE, What if it were today?
Coming TO TAKE HIS REDEEMED IN LOVE, What if it were today?
(or Coming WITH TRUMP AND WITH SHOUT IN LOVE,)

F. R. Wittman

SINGING WITH UNDERSTANDING
   How important is it to sing with understanding?
   In Matthew 12:36 Jesus spoke to the multitudes, "Every idle spoken word which ever the humans speak, they shall render an account concerning it in day of judging." Idle - useless, baseless, without foundation, not appropriate, not of value in fulfilling the child of God's occupation, which according to Acts 1:8 is "witnessing unto Christ." Does this not include our singing as well as our speech?

   The apostle Paul had in mind the exhortation of Psalm 47:7 when he wrote, "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also" (1 Corinthians 14:15). Some sing lies because they sing without thinking or without understanding and others are singing hypocrisy or heresy because it is a well-liked tune, while others sing only truth.
   Most hymn books and song books of today are a mixture of truth and heterodoxy (false doctrine). If the message of the song is not understood, it is either spiritually useless or misinforming or ignored or mentally rejected. When we sing we are ministering by testifying to or teaching others in the congregation. It should be the desire of every child of God to communicate truth and to exalt The Lord Jesus Christ.
   For example: Henry Barraclough composed a Hymn based upon the Messianic Psalm 45 which addresses the Lord Jesus Christ, "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad" (Psalm 45:8). Without understanding the significance of these three spices, the hymn loses its impact and message. All three fragrant spices were used medicinally.
   Of the three, myrrh is the most frequently mentioned in the Bible. When the bark is pierced a thick white gum oozes out. As it hardens it becomes reddish. It was the first principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil of the tabernacle and its furnishings and of the priests (Ex. 30:22-32). It was used as a perfume, as a medicinal, anesthetic drug mingled with wine to numb pain and foster healing, as well as an embalming salve for the dead. Myrrh speaks of suffering.
   Aloes is the most well-known today of the three. There is a difference between the lign aloe and bitter aloes (Aloe Vera). The lign aloe is a tree growing upward from 60 feet tall. The resin is used as a perfume mixed with myrrh and cinnamon. This dark-colored fragrant substance is found in the tree's inner trunk. The healing qualities of bitter aloes is well-know for both internal and external use. Aloes speak of the bitterness of His sorrows and death that bring spiritual healing through His stripes.
   Of the three, cassia is the least known and least mentioned in the Bible. It was the second principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil of the tabernacle and its furnishings and of the priests (Ex. 30:22-32). It is a seasoning spice often substituted for cloves. Its pods and leaves are compounded and used medicinally as a purgative and its roots used in India as an universal antidote for sickness. It was marketed by the merchants of Tyre (Ezek. 27:3,19). Cassia speaks of His miraculous power to heal and His anointing as our High Priest commencing upon His Resurrection.
   When singing or hearing Ivory Palaces sung, think of the garments of our Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt Mary used the myrrh given by the Magi on His garments as an infant. Think of the fragrance of His garments with healing in the touch of them. Think of His sufferings through life intensified in the garden, in the trial before Pilate and at Calvary. Think of the fragrance of aloes in his garments as he suffered the scourging and agony of death. The garments of our Lord Jesus Christ bear significance to His Life's work and Eternal Redemption.
   How important it is to sing with understanding! Will you join with Paul and not sing unless you understand lest you sing lies or heresy and bring God's judgment upon yourself? Asaph, a Psalmist and one of David's chief musicians quoted what God said,
"Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:22,23).

A STUDY OF DANCING IN SCRIPTURE
   Before arriving at an honest conclusion concerning a difference of opinion regarding behavior or practice, a study of Scripture that includes every occurrence of key words must be undertaken. In a study of dancing, the word dance' and kindred words are found a total of 27 times in 26 verses. There are 22 occurrences in 21 verses in the Old Testament and 5 verses (occurrences) in the New Testament which refer to dancing. Of these 27 occurrences there are ten occasions or events and one general reference, eight of which are connected with death either before the dancing or as a result of the dancing and one event (three references) with three attempts to murder. The Strong's Concordance number is placed in superscript after each word examined. A word study summarizing the words used with their meanings and Scripture references is included at the end of this examination of these references.

On the first occasion dancing⁰⁴²⁴⁶ was connected with the total destruction of the Egyptian army (Exodus 15:20). Miriam, the sister of Moses led the women in a victory dance and in singing over the triumph of the Lord over Israel's enemies. In the New Testament we are taught to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44: Luke 6:27,35; Romans 12:20); not dance over their destruction.

On the second occasion that dance⁰⁴²⁴⁶ is mentioned, three thousand who danced in worship were destroyed (Exodus 32:7,8,19,25-28). Remember only men were numbered in Israel. So the total number could have been six thousand. This dance was an immoral dance connected with worship.
On the third occasion, the young lady and only daughter of Jephthah came out with timbrels and dances⁰²³⁴² to meet her father returning victorious from battle with the Ammonites. She was destroyed by being sacrificed as a burnt offering to God (Judges 11:30,31,34,35,39).

On the fourth occasion dance⁰⁴²⁴⁶ occurs, a great destruction of both men and women resulted from a horrible immoral crime in the tribe of Benjamin. The people of the other tribes vowed not to allow their daughters to become wives of the young men who survived the destruction. So they schemed for the Benjamites to kidnap young ladies of Shiloh when they came out to twist' in dances to worship at the religious feast. And then make the kidnaped ones their wives (Judges 21:1-21-23).

On the fifth occasion that 'dance'⁰⁴²⁴⁶ occurs, envy, jealousy, hatred, and attempted murder resulted when the women of Israel engaged in a victory dance and singing praises to David and King Saul. Saul became extremely angry because more credit was given to David (1 Samuel 18:6-12). Saul made at least two more unsuccessful attempts to murder David (1 Samuel 19:10,11).

On the sixth occasion⁰⁴²⁴⁶, the servants of Achish, king of the Philistines reminded him of the previous event (18:6) in which David was praised in dances by the women. David feared for his life and fled from the Philistines at the request of Achish (1 Samuel 21:11-22:1).

On the seventh occasion⁰⁴²⁴⁶ years later, when David returned to Gath out of fear for his life and went with an army of the Philistines, the other princes or lords of the Philistines again reminded Achish of the dancing and singing of the women (1 Samuel 29:5). David had to depart and return home to Ziklag. When he arrived, he found Ziklag burned to the ground, great spoil taken, and the wives and children taken captives by the Amalekites (1 Samuel 29:11-30:3). As a result of that one dancing and singing David's praise, three overt attempts were made on his life, he fled in fear on another occasion. And after fleeing to live among the Philistines in fear of Saul, because of that dance he lost the city where he and his six hundred soldiers lived and their wives and children were kidnapped. Thus that dancing had far reaching disastrous results.

In the eighth occurrence, dancing⁰²²⁸⁷ preceded destruction and death. The Amalekites, who had spoiled and destroyed David's city, Ziklag with fire and kidnapped their wives and children, were dancing and partying in victory when David slew the whole army except four hundred young men who escaped on camels (1 Samuel 30:16,17).

On the ninth event in which dancing⁰³⁷⁶⁹ is noted, the prophet Gad or Nathan recorded that jealousy, anger, contempt, and defraud in marriage resulted (2 Samuel 6:14-16, 20-23). When the ark of God was being returned to the tabernacle in Jerusalem, David thought he was doing the right thing by dancing before the Lord. However in the course of events, either his clothes were thrown off or they came undone so that his shame was disclosed and it was observed by his wife. When she confronted him, he became angry and refused to cohabit with her so that she remained childless. When Ezra, the priest recorded the same event of David dancing in the procession of returning the ark, he used another Hebrew word⁰⁷⁵⁴⁰ (1 Chronicles 15:29) and merely mentions Michal's reaction, but states nothing about the result and consequences.

In the tenth reference of the word, Job describes the dancing⁰⁷⁵⁴⁰ of the children of the wicked who end up in destruction and with whom God is angry. He sends sorrows upon them and lays up punishment for iniquity of their children (Job 21:7-11,17-19).

In the eleventh reference of the word, Solomon mentions, ". . . there is a time to mourn, and a time to dance⁰⁴²³⁴." Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his old age, after he turned to idolatry. He summed up the experiences of his lifetime as vanity (he used this word 37 times) and vexation of spirit (1:14; 2:11,17; 4:4,6; 6:9). In many Old Testament Scriptures vanity is connected with error, lies, and things in which there is no profit. In Ephesians 4:17, Paul uses the word vanity to describe the attitude of the unregenerate enemies of God in their walk in the course of life. This word in the Septuagint is the same word that Matthew, Mark, and Luke used in the New Testament to express the voluptuous, artistic dance of the daughter of Herodias. So, the meaning of the "time to dance" is a time to skip, leap, or jump in the voluptuous manner that many are doing to "rock and roll" today and not to glide around the floor in your arms of someone from the opposite sex.

In addition to these uses, the word for "dance" is used metaphorically to describe rejoicing in three occurrences in the Psalms (30:11; 149:3; 150:4). The Septuagint uses the word for "joy" instead of dance (Psalm 31:11). "Thou hast turned my breast-beating lamentation into joy." In both Psalms 149 and 150, the Septuagint uses the word xoros from which we get our word "chorus," instead of 'dance'⁰⁴²³⁴. Three times Jeremiah used the same word⁰⁴²³⁴ which is translated dance' (Jeremiah 31:4,13; Lamentations 5:15) to describe the change from sadness to joy in chapter 31 and from the loss of joy to grief in Lamentations. However, the Septuagint uses the word for childish play in idolatrous homage' ( Jeremiah 31:4), the same word Paul used to describe Israel's idolatrous play' (1 Corinthians 10:7); for congregation' (31:13); and for chorus' (Lamentations 5:15). However Isaiah (13:21) uses the word dance⁰⁷⁵⁴⁰ in reference to the action of animals (satyrs or goats) jumping or leaping in desolate Babylon after God's retribution upon that city.

These occurrences of the word "dance" in Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and in reference to David in returning the ark to Jerusalem are often used by some charismatics, ecumenicists, neo-evangelicals, and liberal modernists as a biblical basis for using the dance in worship.

In the New Testament, two writers refer to the rebuke of His generation by the Lord Jesus Christ by likening them to a company of children who criticize their playmates because they did not dance³⁷³⁸ when they played their flutes (Matthew 11:17; Luke 7:32).

Luke uses another word which was translated "dancing⁵⁵²⁵" (15:25). This is the word from which we get chorus and refers to a chorus (choir) of singers or band (playing for singing and leaping, jumping, or skipping). But the result again is hurtful because when the elder brother heard it, he became angry and would not go in to celebrate his brother's return. Consequently he was never reconciled with his prodigal brother nor with his father.

Finally, the most serious event was the dance of the daughter of Herodias, who immorally married her brother-in-law. She danced before king Herod, her unlawful step-father and pleased him so well that he promised her whatever she desired up to half the Kingdom. She asked for the head of John the Baptist on a silver tray. Another event that ended in disaster, death, sin, and misery. With so much death, misery, jealousy, anger, and marital fraud connected with and resulting from dancing, how can anyone ask, What is the harm in it? And how can anyone who wants to please the Lord, condone or engage in dancing?

One more passage should clinch the matter of engaging in dancing. This passage answers the question, What is the source of dancing? From God? or from the world? Would God create or conjure such an activity that ends in disaster and most of the time destruction? I think not! John wrote, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:15-17). Certainly, dancing is not of God, but of the world!

Therefore if we love God, we will not engage in dancing. Furthermore, Paul taught the principle of abstinence when participation will offend, stumble, or scandalize a brother in Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12,13).

Finally, there is a difference between biblical and Scriptural. Biblical refers to what is found recorded in the Bible. It may be true, but not necessarily truth. Scriptural refers to what Scripture teaches, commands, approves, and supports as well pleasing and acceptable. Some actions recorded in the Bible are not necessarily intended for, and God's order for His church. The question that must be answered is, Where in Scripture has God indicated that dancing in any form pleases Him or is directed by Him to be incorporated in worshipping Him?

Word Study

02287 chagag {khaw-gag'}
AV - keep 8x, ...feast 3x, celebrate 1x, keep a solemn feast 1x, dancing 1x (1 Samuel 30:16), holy day 1x, reel to and fro 1x = 16 times.
   Meaning: to hold a feast, hold a festival, make pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim-feast, celebrate, dance, stagger.
   - to keep a pilgrim-feast, to reel

02342 chuwl {khool} or chiyl {kheel}
AV - pain 6x, formed 5x, bring forth 4x, pained 4x, tremble 4x, travail 4x, dance 2x (Judges 21:21,23), calve 2x, grieved 2x, grievous 2x, wounded 2x, shake 2x, misc. 23 = 62 times.
   Meaning: to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained .
   - to dance, twist, to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth, to wait anxiously, to whirl or whirl about
   - to be made to writhe, be made to bear, to be brought forth, to be born
   - whirling, writhing, suffering torture, to wait longingly, to be distressed.

03769 karar {kaw-rar'}
AV - dance 2x (2 Samuel 6:14,16) = 2 times
Meaning: to whirl, dance - whirling, dancing

04234 machowl {maw-khole'} (see 5525 below for the Septuagint translation and use)
AV - dance 5x (Psalm 149:3; 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4,13; Lamentations 5:15), dancing 1x (Psalm 30:11) = 6 times.

04246 mechowlah {mek-o-law'}
AV - dance 5x (Exodus 15:20; 32:19; Judges 11:34; 21:21; 1 Samuel 18:6),
dancing 2 (1 Samuel 21:11; 29:5), company 1x= 8 = times

07540 raqad {raw-kad'}
AV - dance 4x (1 Chronicles 15:29; Job 21:11; Ecclesiastes 3:4; Isaiah 13:21), skip
3x, leap 1x, jump 1x = 9 times.
The basic meaning is: "1) to skip about 1a) (Qal) to skip about. 8800 Stem: Qal is the most frequently used verb pattern. It expresses the simple' or casual' action of the root in the active voice."

3738 orcheomai {or-kheh'-om-ahee} noun - orxaystria: dancing-girls (M&M, p. 459)
AV - to dance 4x (Matthew. 11:17; 14:6; Mark 6:22; Luke 7:32)

5525 choros {khor-os'}
AV - dancing (Luke 15:25)
a chorus of singers, a choir or a band

Numbers correspond to Strong's Concordance

HYMNOLOGY NOTES by Dr. Fred Wittman
Adapted Notes Gathered at The Christian and Music Seminar
Given to Attending Missionaries at the Annual Missionary Conference at First Baptist Church, Lebanon, PA, April 1988

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson # 1
"Where Do We Begin"

n.b. Each Scripture reference cited must be carefully examined in light of the indicated note!

I. Reasons for Christians to Talk About Music.
   1. Music is universal.
     In Heaven (Zechariah 9:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 8:2,6)
     On Earth (1 Samuel 18:6; 1 Chronicles 16:42; Daniel 3:5,7,10,15; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
       a. Where did music originate? (Job 38:4-7)
       b. Who was the first musician? Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:13); First Human : Jubal (Genesis 4:21)
   2. There is a misconceived notion that music is amoral. (See references in the Old Testament above.)
   3. Music is of primary importance in congregational meetings and gatherings for worship (Ephesians 5:19).
   4. Music is one of the Devil's major areas of emphasis in deceiving Christians.
   5. The Bible extensively refers to music.

II. Principles for Christians to Evaluate Music.
   1. A Scriptural Understanding Prerequisite.
     a. God's Holiness
      Holiness (544x; with Lord 186x) - (Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 59:1,2).
      Holiness relates to God's character and perfection. God is absolutely pure and separate from all evil and sin. He can neither tolerate nor entertain sin in His presence or sight. All sin and every one not cleansed from sin is banished from His presence.
         (1) God's Habitation (Isaiah 63:15; [house] Psalms 68:5; 93:5; [throne]
           Psalm 47:8);
         (2) God's Name (Leviticus 22:2; Psalms 99:5; 111:9; Ezekiel 39:7; Luke 1:49);
         (3) God's person and presence (Leviticus 22:3; Psalm 51:11; Hebrews 12:14).
      Righteousness relates to God's behavior in dealing with His creatures.
      He is absolutely and indisputably right in all His dealings with angels and humans. While holy describes God's nature and condition, righteous describes His discrimination and action in the treatment of His creatures.
     b. Divine Reverence (Hebrews 12:28,29; Revelation 4:8).
      How do we enter the throne room of The King of Kings, The Holy of Holies, habitation of The Holy God? The Old Testament saints had a reverence seldom found in a place of meeting God today. The Old Testament priesthood had strict stipulations for entering the Tabernacle and the Temple (Leviticus 8:1-13 cf. Exodus 29:6-9; Numbers 5:18 - the only time an Old Testament Hebrew woman had her head uncovered cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3-7). We are believer-priests of a holy, royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9). Should we not look our best and be carefully reverent for our Lord and King on His throne when we approach him publicly? Should not our music be the kind that is well-pleasing to and reverence Him when we approach the Throne of Grace? And since we are commanded to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15,16) and walk daily with the Holy Lord, should not all our music be always acceptable to Him?
   2. Identification
     a. Definition: I involve myself in things with which I identify because of the condition of my heart.
         (Matthew 6:21, Mark 7:20,21).
     b. Illustration:        Prayer meeting             The local bar             pornography
     c. Application: Is this music something that I can identify with because of my commitment to God?
   3. Approval
     a. Definition: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord? (Ephesians 5:10).
     b. Illustration:        Airplane                       Pilot
     c. Application: Is this music something of which I am certain The God approves? Not just any god or one of
         man's imagination, "My god wouldn't object to that."
   4. Narrow Way
     a. Definition: We must face the fact that there is little company on the path that The God wants us to take.
         (Matthew 7:13,14 cf. 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5).
     b. Illustration:        The Two Ways (Matthew 7:13,14).
     c. Application: Is this music intentionally crowd-pleasing?
   5. Moral Shift
     a. Definition: The morality of the world is constantly moving away from conduct pleasing unto God.
         (Genesis 6:5, Romans 1:21, 1 John 2:17).
     b. Illustration:        Marriage = Say, No! to all others in the world.
     c. Application: Is this music something that used to be obviously worldly?
   6. Association
     a. Definition: Outward appearance and expression identifies that with which we are associated.
         (Matthew 7:15-20 cf. 1 Samuel 16:7).
     b. Illustration:        Samuel seeking God's choice for a king among the sons of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:7)
     c. Application: Does my involvement with this music cause me to be associated with the world in the eyes of
         others?

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson #2
"How Did Music Get to the 20th Century"
I. Music's Origin
   A. Music existed before the earth was created.
     1. Music originated with God (Job 38:4-7).
     2. Ezekiel 28:13.
   B. Since music existed before the Earth and mankind were created, it is only logical to conclude that music's
        origin is related to God.
II. Music's Intended Purpose
   A. God never does anything without a purpose (Ephesians 1:11).
   B. Christians are called according to the purpose of God (Romans 8:28).
   C. Christians are intended to fulfill the purpose of God in their lives (Ephesians 1:11,12).
   D. Music is a primary means of fulfilling that purpose which is praising God (Psalm 150; Psalm 40:3;
        Exodus 15:1-19; Acts 26:15).
        What God makes man corrupts (Romans 1:21-25).
III. Music's Development through History.
   (taken from Satan's Music Exposed by Lowell Hart, published by Salim Kirban,Inc. Huntingden Valley,    PA, 1980).

   Two types of music:

Contemporary
Christian

   NOTE 1: The world's attitude toward music.
     a. The world's music puts the attention of a person on himself, another human or on the performers.
         Self-orientation - Philosophy: Humanity is the supreme being in and of itself--Attitude: self glorification.
     b. Music producers control audience response through the media and through what they produce (cf.
         Romans 16:18; 2 Corinthians 11:12,13; Ephesians 4:14; 2 Timothy 3:13; Titus 1:10; 2 John 7,8).
     c. The public is exposed to crude music in gradually increasing degrees of intensity as it becomes accustomed
         to the sounds it is hearing and seeks something new.
   NOTE 2: The Christian's attitude toward music in our contemporary world should be to glorify God.
     a. Does this music put my attention on myself and its performers or on God and on God's people?
         (1 Corinthians 1:27-31; Proverbs 25:27).
     b. Do I like this music because it is popular to like this music or because it contributes to my worship of God
         and the developments of His character in my life? (Galatians. 1:9,10).
     c. Is this music something I used to think was worldly but have become conditioned to over a period of time?
         (Galatians 3:3).

IV. Lessons from an Historical Perspective
   A. To select music from the past in order to justify music in the present is to assume that people in the past
        were not sinful and did nothing to corrupt the pure music they had been given by God.
   B. The earliest Hebrew melodies extant are only from the 12th century. It is impossible to suggest what ancient
        sacred music was like. Besides, to justify what we do by what others did is wrong according to the Bible.
        (2 Corinthians 10:12).
   C. We live in the twenty-first century and must deal with twenty-first century music with Biblical principles of
        morality and a logical observation of how varying musical forms affect mankind.

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson #3
"What Is Music?"
I. Music's Basic Definitions
   A. Key Words
     1. Sound
      a. Sound is vibrations in the air perceived by. the ear and transmitted
          to the brain.
      b. Sound has three basic qualities:
        (1) Loudness or softness (Exodus 19:19; Psalm 33:3; Job 37:2;
          1 Corinthians 14:7-9).
          Often loudness refers to distinction in sound.
        (2) Pitch -- High sounding cymbals (Psalm 150:5).
        (3) Tone quality:
          (A) Sweet voice (Song of Solomon 2:14);
          (B) Pleasant voice (Ezekiel 33:32);
            Merry voice (Jeremiah 30:19);
          (D) Trembling voice (Jeremiah 30:5);
          (E) Crying voice (Jeremiah 48:3);
          (F) Roaring voice (Jeremiah 6:23).
     2. Progression
      a. Music implies movement.
      b. Music implies a building process.
     3. Organized
   B. Summary Definition of Music: An organized progression of sounds.

II. Music's Basic Elements:
   A. Melody (Ephesians 5:19)
     l. "To sing a tune."
     2. "A singable tune; something that starts, has a definite contour, and comes to a definite and satisfying conclusion." - David Boyden
   B. Harmony
     1. "The means of joining."
     2. Harmony shows the proper relationship of tones to each other.
   C. Rhythm
     l. "Recurring motion."
     2. Rhythm provides a line of direction for music and is related to and influences the rhythmic patterns of the
         body.
     3. Organized.

III. The Key to Good Music
   A. The Key Word: "BALANCE"
     NOTE: Balance does not mean equal portions but proper ratio.
   B. The Key Verse - Ephesians 5:10: "Proving what is acceptable unto The Lord."
     1. We are not to be body oriented.
     2. We are not to walk in the flesh (Romans 6:12; 8:4-9,12-14; Colossians 3:5).
     3. We are to sacrifice our bodies and all its lusts (Romans 12:1,2 cf. Galatians 5:24).
      NOTE: We must face the fact that some music is body oriented and not
               acceptable unto the Lord.

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson #4
"Does Music Really Affect Me?"
Introduction:

"Music is the most powerful stimulus known among the perceptive processes. There is a definite ethical and moral connotation to music. The spoken word must pass through the master brain to be interpreted, translated, and screened for moral content. Not so with music . . . (It) can by-pass this protective screen and cause a person to make no value judgment on whatever he is hearing" (Dr. Schoen, The Psychology of Music).

In other words, music affects me without my being consciously aware that it is doing so.

I. What the Bible says there is about me that music has the potential to affect.
   A. In the saved person (Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews 5:14; Ephesians 5:10,11):
     1. Body - has ability to respond to outside stimulus through each sense organ;
     2. Mind - regenerated and renewed;
     3. Spirit - Alive unto God.
   B. In the unsaved person (Ephesians 4:17-19):
     1. Mind - vain, empty with no potential to respond to God (Romans 8:6,7; 1 Corinthians 2:14);
     2. Spirit - dead, blinded (Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4);
     3. Body - totally yielding to the desires of the flesh; the only part of the human that responds to outside
         stimulus.
   Note: The unsaved person will crave music that satisfies his flesh since he has no spiritual perception and does
         not think clearly.
      The saved person should crave music that contributes to the renewal of his mind and the exercising of his
         spiritual senses.
II. How the Bible illustrates the affects of music (1 Samuel 16:23).
   A. Saul's condition:
     1. Saul was sick spiritually (1 Samuel 15:17-23);
     2. Saul was sick mentally (1 Samuel 15:24-27, 16:14-23);
     3. Saul was sick physically (emotionally) (1 Samuel 16:14-23).
   B. Saul's Remedy:
      Note: David was hired to play music for troubled Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-18,23).
     1. Saul was refreshed - IN HIS BODY (Job 32:19,20).
     2. Saul was well - IN HIS MIND.
     3. Saul was relieved - IN HIS SPIRIT (1 Samuel 16:23).
III. The connecting links of the elements of music and the elements of my person.
   A. The "spirit" and "melody":
     1. There is a definite relationship between the melody of music and the spirit of man (Ephesians 5:18,19;
         Colossians 3:16).
     2. There is a definite relationship between those who produce melody-deficient music and cultic,
         anti-religious, anti-God movements.
   B. The "mind" and "harmony":
     1. Listening to harmony requires the exercise of mental processes. The mind reasons the relationships, even if
         you don't know a thing about music.
     2. The Bible says that a Christian needs to be careful about the upkeep of one's mind (Romans 12:2;
         Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 4:17).

     3. The word music comes from a Greek word "Muse" which means "to think."
     4. Elements of music affect the mind.
      a. The lack of variety or repetition acts the same as the methods of hypnotism.
      b. Variety is necessary to clear thinking.
      c. Clashing tones (dissonance) are unpleasant sounds that cause dissatisfaction, unrestfulness, irritability,
           rebelliousness, depression, and anxiety.
   C. The "body" and "rhythm":
     1. To say, "It is wrong to have a physical response to music," is to say, "We should never ever listen to any
          music at all." The fact that you hear music is a physical response in the ear.
     2. There are many rhythmic patterns throughout the body: heart beat, breathing, walking, speaking, etc.
     3. Musical rhythmic patterns are directly linked to and influence the rhythmic patterns of the body.
     4. Controlled rhythm is necessary to good music (Romans 6:12; 1 Corinthians 9:27).

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson #5
"Elements of Music That Make a Difference"
Introduction:

In every field of study there are the "basics" and the "fine points."
As a rule, the "basics" are not enough to appreciate the complexities involved.
Music is no exception.

I. Tension and Relaxation (Job 32:9-11; 16-19).
   A. Definitions:
     1. Tension: Basically, the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness.
        In music, those elements which create general unrest and nervousness within the mind and body.
     2. Relaxation: Basically, relaxation means to be at rest. In music, it means the relieving of elements of tension.
   B. Elements:
     1. Of Tension: rhythm, repetition, high notes, high volume, dissonance.
     2. Of Relaxation: melody, variety, low notes, soft volume, consonance.
         Balance is vital to music.
   C. Reactions:
     1. To Tension:
      a. Physically: variety in heart rate, increased activity of adrenaline, changes in breathing;
      b. Psychologically: irritability, anxiety.
     2. To Relaxation:
      a. Physically: general calmness;
      b. Psychologically: a clearing of the mind.
   D. Biblical Evaluation:
     1. The Bible does not say the Christian life will be free from tension (James 1:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13;
         Ephesians 6:11,12).
     2. The Bible does say that for the Christian, every tense experience has an accompanying element of
          relaxation.
          Joy is the consciousness of the presence of God in whatever temptation or trial.
   E. Principles for Evaluating Tension in Music:
     1. Elements of tension in music are not wrong.
     2. When tension is prolonged and unrelieved, it can be harmful.
     3. When tension is properly relaxed, it can be beneficial.
II. Pulsation vs. Syncopation
   A. Definitions
     1. Pulsation: Basically pulsation is rhythmic throbbing or vibrating.
      In music, it is regular, on-the-beat rhythm.
     2. Syncopation: A musical term meaning any deliberate disturbance of the normal pulse of meter, accent, and
         rhythm.
   B. Reactions
     1. To Pulsation:
      a. Externally: spontaneous response and movement of the arms and legs;
      b. Internally: influence on heart rate and breathing.
     2. To Syncopation:
      a. Externally: spontaneous movement of hips and shoulders;
      b. Internally: influence activity in the vascular and autonomic nervous systems, i.e. causes involuntary actions
           within the glandular tissues of the body.
   C. Biblical Evaluation:
     1. Physical activity is not wrong, but should not have priority over spiritual activity (1 Corinthians 9:24-26;
         1 Timothy 4:8).
     2. Sensually oriented physical activity is wrong (Matthew 14:6,7; Proverbs 7:10-27).
   D. Principles for Evaluating Pulsation and Syncopation in Music:
     1. Regular beat rhythm is not harmful.
     2. Strongly accented pulsation in musical rhythms normally will not cause bad attitudes, but may become
         annoyingly monotonous.
     3. Isolated visages of syncopated rhythms are not harmful.
     4. Prolonged and exaggerated use of syncopated rhythms are definitely sensual and should be avoided.
III. Consonance and Dissonance
   A. Definitions:
     1. Consonance: The agreeable effect produced by certain intervals in musical chords.
     2. Dissonance: The disagreeable effect produced by certain intervals in musical chords.
   B. Reactions:
     1. To Consonance: stability, satisfaction, confidence.
     2. To Dissonance: instability, restlessness, anxiety, rebellion, uncertainty.
   C. Biblical Evaluation: Instability and anxiety are not to be true of the Christian (Philippians 4:6; 1:27-29;
        1 Corinthians 15:58).
   D. Principles for evaluating consonance and dissonance in music:
     1. Consonant combinations of tones is the rule of good music.
     2. Clashing sounds in music are harmful to your mental health when prolonged.
     3. The need for Resolution: Dissonant chords should be quickly and always resolved into consonant chords.
IV. Electronic Amplification
   A. The Effects of High Volume Levels (measured by decibels)
     1. Reference levels of familiar sound:

Decibel Reading
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
65
75
*85
95
100
115
120
130

Level of Influence
thresh hold of audible sound
barely detectable

annoying

ear damage possible

maximum under federal law
discomfort threshold
pain threshold

Source of Sound

very faint whisper
audible whisper
quiet office
light traffic
conversation
television audio
vacuum cleaner
diesel truck
diesel truck
police siren

Rock Music

* "The inner ear, which suffers the brunt of destructively intense sounds, has no pain receptors, hence, no sensation akin to the hurt felt after being cut or burned" (Noise, the Unwanted Sound, p. 45).

     2. The comparative effects of natural sound and electronically produced sound.
      a. Natural sound: 100 musicians make only seven times as much sound as one musician.
      b. Electronic sound: Some rock bands (numbering usually less than ten musicians total) have been heard as
          much as 20 miles away.
     3. Important information about the use of headphones.
      a. Popular reasons for the use of headphones (Noise, the Unwanted Sound, p. 125)
         (1) Headphones heighten the stereo effect.
         (2) They permit the listener to play recordings as loudly as they want to, at anytime, without disturbing
              others.
         (3) They increase the sound quality.
         (4) They avoid background noise levels that could discolor the sound.
      b. The dangers of extensive use of headphones.
         (1) A person listening to a stereo component with headphones for 10 hours per week averages a low of
              97 decibels to 136 decibels.
         (2) They can easily cause permanent damage to your ear without your ever realizing what has taken place.
     4. The damaging effects of noise that is too loud , (Noise, The Unwanted Sound, pp. 12 ^&; 75).
      a. Constriction of veins and arteries causing high blood pressure and increased breathing.
      b. Heart rate increases.
      c. Muscles become tense effecting motor control.
      d. Skin resistance is lowered causing perspiration.
      e. Digestive system becomes upset and may cause ulcers.
      f. Pupils of the eye dilate effecting perception.
      g. Kidneys become more active.
      h. Liver function changes measurably.
      I. Change in brain chemistry occurs.
      j. Adrenal glands become more active even at decibel levels of 68.
      k. The endocrine glands can alter their chemical content affecting
         the blood and hormonal secretions.
     5. Why do people want the sound of the music so loud?
      a. Conditioning; as one becomes accustomed to a given sound level, a new sound level is desired.
      b. Anesthesia: High level music has an anesthesia quality. It gives solace or a sense of well being very near
          hypnotism to the young.
      c. Musicianship: Volume covers lack of ability.
      d. Competition; Each group strives to be the loudest group in town as a drawing card for audience appeal.
     6. Evaluation of the use of high volume in music: if the volume levels are damaging to the body, they are too
         loud (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
   B. The Effects of Ultrasonics
     1. Ultrasonics are sound waves vibrating above 20,000 cycles per second, or higher than the hearing level of
          the human ear.
     2. Ultrasonics cannot be produced by a natural source: They must be produced through a synthetic source.
     3. Scientific uses of ultrasonic sound waves.
      a. Measuring ocean depth or searching for objects in the sea.
      b. Detecting flaws hidden deep inside metals or other solid objects.
      c. To shake up paint by vibration.
      d. To homogenize milk by breaking up fat particles.
      e. To clean tools, parts, dishes, and other solid objects.
      f. To break down the cell walls of bacteria.
      g. To trace blood flow through various parts of the body.
      h. To perform bloodless surgery.
      i. To anesthetize dental and burn patients.
     4. Evaluation of producing these sounds through electronically amplified music: We cannot hear them; we
         only feel them. The changes are immense and should be avoided.
   C. The Effects of Infrasonics
     1. Infrasonics are sound waves vibrating below 15 cycles per second, or lower than the hearing range of the
         human ear.
     2. Sounds at 7 cycles per second have tremendous effects upon the insides of a person. It causes the
         coagulation of liquids such as protein. An egg was hard boiled by the sounds produced by a rock band
         amplifier.
     3. Infrasonics can kill up to five miles away.

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson #6
"Principles for Evaluating Contemporary Music"
Introduction:
   1. "Contemporary" means "belonging to the same period of time."
   2. To refer to something as being "contemporary" is to imply a contrast with things of the past which are
        no longer in use.
   3. It is a misnomer to refer to certain kinds of music as being "contemporary" when there are other kinds of
        music currently in use.
   4. The term "contemporary" when applied to Christian music identifies a particular style of music which has
        basically been patterned after modern styles of secular music.

Supporting Scriptures from A Precise Translation for Lesson #6 are supplied on next three pages.

HOW DO WE DETERMINE WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS BAD AMONG ALL FORMS OF "CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN" MUSIC?

   1. The age of a musical form or an individual song has nothing to do with its rightness or wrongness.
       Something is wrong if it feeds the flesh and right if it feeds the spirit (1 Timothy 4:12 cf. 1 Timothy 5:1;
       Galatians 5:16-21 cf. 5:22-25).
   2. The flesh and the spirit are contrary. You cannot successfully combine these two elements in music.
       (Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; James 4:4).
   3. It is Scripturally wrong to substitute popular appeal for spiritual response in music (1 Corinthians 2:4;
       Colossians 2:4-8).
   4. It is Scripturally wrong to use deception as a means to draw the world in order to throw the Gospel upon
       them (Proverbs 26:18,19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 11:3,4,13-15; Jeremiah 48:10).
   5. The words of Christian songs should be 100% doctrinally pure.
     A. The Bible is our final authority concerning doctrinal purity, not a song-writer's inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16;
          2 John 10).
     B. The words of the songs we sing are important because God holds us responsible for every word that
          proceeds from our mouths (Matthew 12:36,37; James 3:5; Matthew 15:18; Ephesians 5:3,4).
     C. The words of many modern Christian songs go from the extreme of being Ridiculous to being so close yet
          so far away from doctrinal purity.
   6. The closer you get to the truth without achieving the truth, the worse off you actually are (Revelation
       3:15,16; 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Matthew 7:21,23; Galatians 6:7,8; Romans 16:17,18).

CONCLUSION: "The Principle of Replacement"
  I. When a person is born again he becomes a "new creature"(2 Corinthians 5:17).
II. When a person is born again, his old man is crucified with Christ and he is raised to walk in newness of life.
      (Romans 6:6,4).
III. When a person is born again, his old life-style is to be put aside and replaced with a new one.
      (1 Timothy 6:11).
IV. When a person is brought up out of the pit by God, he is given a new song (Psalm 40:3).
          EVEN PRAISE UNTO OUR GOD!
         MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD! (Ephesians 5:19).
        PROVING WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE UNTO THE LORD! (Ephesians 5:10 ).

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson #6
A Precise Translation
1 Timothy 4:12: Not one⁺ is to despise the youth of yours^$! But continually become a pattern to the ones committing trust: in word, in behavior, in love, in spirit, in faith in purity!
1 Timothy 5:1: Never scold an elder! But on the contrary, continually entreat ^|him^| as a father! younger⁺ men as brothers!
Galatians 5:16-21: Now I say, Continually walk by means of Spirit and you^& positively do not finish a craving of flesh. For the flesh continually craves against The Spirit, but The Spirit against the flesh. Now these^~ are continually adversely opposed to one another so that what^~ things ever you^& are continually determinedly willing not ^|to do^|, these you^& do. But if (and it is true) you^& are being led by means of Spirit, you^& are not under law. Now the works of the flesh are conspicuous, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, excessive unbridled shameless life-style, idolatry, drug abuse, enmities, contentions, jealousies, passionate wraths, strifes, dissensions, heresies, envies, murders, intoxications, revelries, and the similar ones^~ to these^~, which I am foretelling you^&, according as I also told before, "The⁺ ones practicing such things shall not inherit God's Kingdom."
Galatians 5:22-25: But the fruit of The Spirit is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, beneficial goodness, faith, meekness [^{patient submissive suffering of offenses}], self-restraint. Law is not against the such like^~ things. Now the ones⁺ belonging to The Christ are crucified with reference to the flesh together with the sufferings and the passionate lusts. If (and it is true) we absolutely live by means of Spirit, let us also walk orderly in line by means of Spirit! Let us stop becoming vainglorious⁺ ones, challenging one another for ourselves, envying one another!
Matthew 6:24: Not one⁺ is able to serve as a bondslave to two lords. For either he will hate the⁺ one and [^he] will love the⁺ other one, or he will cling to the⁺ one and [^he] will despise the⁺ other one. You^$ are not able to serve as a bondslave to God and to wealth [^{mammon - total assets in your trust}].
2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Stop becoming^& unequally yoked with faithless⁺ [^{refuse to commit trust}] ones! For what association ^|exists between^| righteousness and lawlessness? Then what fellowship ^|exists^| with light toward dark? But what compatibility ^|exists^| with Christ in accord with Behleahl? Or what share ^|exists^| with a faithful⁺ one ^|in association^| with a faithless⁺ one? Now what agreement ^|exists^| with ⁰Holy Place of God in company with idols? For you^& yourselves are a ⁰Holy Place of ⁰Absolutely Living God according as The God said, [^{Lev. 26:12}] "I shall indwell among them and I shall walk about in ^|them^| and I shall be their God and they themselves shall be My people." Wherefore ⁰Lord is continually saying, [^{Is. 52:11b, LXX}] Exit out of midst of them at once! And be^& segregated at once! and, [^{Is. 52:11c}] Stop embracing an ⁰ unclean one! And I Myself shall welcome you^& in and I shall be for a ⁰ Father to you^& and you^& yourselves shall be for sons and daughters to Me, says ⁰Lord Almighty.
James 4:4: O adulterers and adulteresses, you^& are aware that he friendship of the world is enmity with The God, are you^& not? Therefore who ever be desirously willing to be a friend⁺ of the world is continually appointed to the position of ⁰enemy of The God. The Christian and Music Seminar
1 Corinthians 2:4,5: And my ^/speech and my ^/proclamation as an herald ^|was^| not with persuasive words of humankind of wisdom, but on the contrary in demonstration of Spirit and of miraculous power in order that your^& ^/faith be not in wisdom of humans, but in miraculous power of God.
Colossians 2:4-8: And I am saying this^~, lest any one deceive you^& by reckoning wrongly with persuasive speech. For if (and it is true) I am absent in the flesh, undoubtedly I am continually together with you^& in my spirit, rejoicing and seeing the regular disposition of yours^& and the firmness of the faith in Christ of yours^&. Therefore as you^& received The Christ, Jesus The Lord, continually walk in Him! Being securely rooted⁺ ones and continually being built up⁺ ones in Him and continually being verified⁺ ones in the faith, according as you^& have been taught, be in abundance in this with thanksgiving. Continually beware lest anyone shall be the⁺ one carrying you^& off as prey through ^/philosophy and vain enticement, according to the oral precept of the humans, according to the fundamental principles of the world and not according to Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-2:4: For they themselves are reporting about us what sort of entrance we had to you^& and how you^& wholly turned to The God from the idols to serve as bondslaves to ⁰Absolutely Living and ⁰Genuine God and to abide expectantly waiting for His ^/Son out of the Heavens, Whom He raised up out of ⁰dead ones, Jesus, The⁺ One rescuing us away from the coming ^/anger. 2:1For yourselves, O brothers, you^& are aware of the entrance of ours, ^|namely^| the one to you^&, that it has not become vain. But even though we previously suffered and were degraded⁺ ones in Philippi according as you^& are aware, we became bold in The God of ours to speak to you^& the gospel of The God in much agony in conflict. For the entreaty of ours ^|was^| not out of error, nor out of uncleanness, nor even in deceit, but according as we stand approved after examination by The God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we continually speak not as in a manner pleasing to humans but to The God, The⁺ One continually scrutinizing the hearts of ours.
2 Corinthians 4:1c,2: . . . we do not lose heart. On the contrary we constantly repudiate he secret^~ things of ^/shame, not walking in craftiness, nor even deceitfully adulterating The Word of The God, but on the contrary in display of the truth persistently corroborating ourselves to every conscience of humans in the viewpoint of The God.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15: For the such like⁺ ones ^|are^|: false apostles, deceitful workers, ones transfiguring themselves into apostles of Christ! And not a marvelous^~ thing! For ^/Satan himself is continually transfiguring himself into an angel of light. Therefore no great thing! If (and it is true) the domestic servants of his also are being transfigured as domestic servants of righteousness, whose^/ end shall be according to their ^/works!
2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture ^|is^| God-breathed and beneficial: for teaching, for inner conviction, for correcting [^{setting straight again}], for discipline which ^|is^| in righteousness in order that the human of The God be fitted and be completely qualified for every beneficially good work.
2 John 10: If anyone comes to you^& and he is not bringing this ^/doctrine, do not receive him into ⁰house! And do not say to him, Health! The Christian and Music Seminar
Matthew 12:36,37: But I am saying to you, "Every idle spoken word which ever the humans will speak, they shall render an account concerning it in ⁰Day of ⁰Judging. For by means of your^$ ^/words you^$ shall be justified [^{declared, righteous, free from blame, guilt and penalty}], and by means of your^$ ^/words you^$ shall be pronounced guilty."
James 3:5: So also the tongue is a small member and it boasts great^~ things. Lo! what size forest a meager fire kindles!
Matthew 15:18: But the^~ things making exit out of the mouth exit out of the heart. And those^~ things defile the human.
Ephesians 5:3,4: But according as it is proper for saints, sexual immorality and every uncleanness or covetousness is in fact to stop being named because of you^&! and shameful indecency and foolish talk [^{moronic speech}] or inappropriate witticism, which^~ things are not being seemly! but [^{on the contrary}] rather thanksgiving ^|is continually to be named because of you^&^|.
Revelation 3:15,16: I am aware of your^$ ^/works, that you^$ are continually neither refreshingly cool nor boiling hot. Oh that you^$ /were\ refreshingly cool or $ are continually lukewarm and neither refreshingly cool nor boiling hot. I am about to vomit you^$ out of My ^/mouth.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23: Not one⁺ is to delude himself! If (and it is true) anyone among you^& supposes to be wise in this ^/age, he is to become a fool [^{moron, worthless thinker}]! in order that he become wise. For the wisdom of this ^/world is foolishness with [^alongside] The God. For it stands written,[^{Job 5:13}] Who is clutching with the fist the wise⁺ ones in their ^/craftiness; and again, [^{Ps. 94:11, LXX var.}] ⁰Lord knows the reasonings of the wise⁺ ones, that they are futile vanities. So that not one⁺ is to boast among humans. For all^~ are yours^&. Whether Paul, whether Ahpohllos, whether Kay-fáhs, whether ⁰World, whether absolute life, whether death, whether impending^~ things, whether imminent^~ things, all^~ are yours^&. But yourselves ^|are^| Christ's and Christ ^|is^| God's.
Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone⁺ who says to Me, O Lord, O Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of the^& Heavens; but [^{on the contrary}] the⁺ one beginning to do the determined will of My ^/Father Who ^|is^| in The^& Heavens. Many⁺ shall say to Me in that ^/day, O Lord, O Lord, we prophesied in our^$ ^/name and we cast out demons in Your^$ ^/name and we did many miraculous powers in Your^$ ^/name, did we not? And at that time I shall confess to them, "I never knew [^{from experience}] you^&. You^&, the⁺ ones working ^/lawlessness, be disassociating away from Me!"
Galatians 6:7,8: Stop allowing yourselves to be led astray! God is not being scorned. For what^~ ever a human sow this^~ also he shall reap. Because the⁺ one sowing unto the flesh of himself, by means of the flesh he shall reap destruction by corruption. But the⁺ one sowing unto The Spirit, by means of The Spirit he shall reap eternal absolute life.
Romans 16:17,18: Now I entreat you^&, O brothers, continually pay close attention to the⁺ ones producing the dissensions and the offences contrary to the doctrine which you^& yourselves learned! And continually eschew away from them! For the such like⁺ ones are not serving as bondslaves to The Lord of ours, Jesus Christ, but to the stomach of themselves. And by means of kind speaking and eulogizing they delude the hearts of the naive⁺ ones.
2 Corinthians 5:17: So that if (and it is true) anyone ^|be^| in Christ, a new creature! The ancient^~ things passed away. Lo! the all^~ things are permanently become a new kind.
Romans 6:6,4: Knowing this, that the old human of ours is crucified together ^|with Him^| in order that the body of the sin become ineffective so that we no longer continue serving as a bondslave to the sin. Therefore we are buried together with Him through the baptism into the death in order that even as Christ was raised up out of ⁰dead ones by reason of the glory of The Father, so also we ourselves should walk in newness of absolute life.
1 Timothy 6:11: But you^$, O human of The God, continually successfully flee these^~ things! But pursue: righteousness, godly piety, faith, love, patient endurance, meekness [^{patient submissive suffering of offenses}]!

KEY TO SYMBOLS USED
^$Singular ⁺Masculine ^oAnarthrous construstion	^&Plural ^{^}Feminine, Female ^/Articular construction	^~Neuter
^\| ^\|The enclosed word(s) are understood from the grammer and / or the context
/ \The enclosed word(s) are questionable because the Byzantine / Majority manuscripts are divided. However, very little significant difference in translation is observed whether included or omitted

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson # 7
PRINCIPLES FOR EVALUATING MUSIC

     1. The principle of commitment: Is this music something I identify with because of my commitment to God?
          Or do I identify with it because I am not committed to God?
     2. The principle of approval: Is this music something of which I am certain God approves?
     3. The principle of pleasure: Is this music intentionally crowd pleasing? (Isaiah 58:13,14).
     4. The principle of identification: Is this music something that used to be identified as obviously worldly?
     5. The principle of association: Does my involvement with this music cause me to be associated with the
          world or with God in the eyes of others?
     6. The principle of character development: Does this music either praise God or contribute to the
         development of the character which he desires for me? Or does it take away from that character?
     7. The principle of attitude: Is this music directed outside of me, particularly toward God, or does it merely
         express my attitudes toward myself in a way which gratifies and ^/ or glorifies my flesh?
     8. The principle of attention: Does this music put my attention on God or the performers of the music?
     9. The principle of popularity: Do I like the music because it is popular to like this music or because it
         contributes to my worship of God and the development of his character within me? (1 Samuel 8:5-20).
   10. The principle of glorification: Does this music glorify The God or does it glorify the flesh?
   11. The principle of conditioning: Is this music something I used to think was worldly but have become
          conditioned to over a period of time?
   12. The principle of the quality of music: Does this music display qualities of good sound or would it better
          be classified as noise?
   13. The principle of balance: Does this music display good balance with a strong melody, agreeable harmony,
          and controlled rhythm?
   14. The principle of nerve reaction: Does this music cause me to become tense and irritable?
   15. The principle of physical response: If this music causes an involuntary physical reaction in me, what
          external parts of my body move?
   16. The principle of mental affect: Are the sounds presented in this music disagreeable to my mind and cause
          me to be depressed?
   17. The principle of volume: Is this music too loud?
   18. The principle of internal harm: Is this music being produced through sophisticated electronic equipment
          which may be internally harmful to my body?
   19. The principle of result: Do I like this music because it feeds my flesh or because it feeds my spirit?
   20. The principle of distinction: Does this music contain elements which appeal to both the flesh and the
          spirit?
   21. The principle of deception: Is this music being used properly or in a deceptive manner to lure people to
          Christ or to hear the Gospel? (2 Corinthians 4:2; 11:3,4,13-15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-2:5; Jer. 48:10).
   22. The principle of spiritual response: Is this music being used because of its popular appeal or because of
          its spiritual response?
   23. The principle of doctrine: Are the words of this song doctrinally pure?
   24. The principle of discernment: How close is this music to being good
          music without really being good music?
   25. The principle of the characteristic of the music: Is this music characteristic of the new song that God
          has put in my heart or is it characteristic of the song of my old sinful self? (Psalm 40:1-3).
   26. The principle of admonition and instruction: Does this music fulfill the will of God and His purpose and
          use of music in your life to be repeatedly teaching and repeatedly admonishing each other in Psalms and
          in hymns and in spiritual songs with grace in your hearts to the Lord? (Colossians 3:16).
   27. The Principle of rebellion: Is this music a loud music of religious rebellion or is it a sweet music of praise,
          adoration, and exaltation of God.

An excerpt from, Baptist Bread Daily Devotional for Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 reads:

"The Music of Rebellion" "And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp" (Exodus 32:17).
   Joshua identified specific negative characteristics that differentiate the music of rebellion from its sweet, melodic, Godly counterpart.
   First, the music of rebellion is described as being a noise. It ends to be loud and harsh. It is unpleasant to the ear. Second, it is warlike, aggressive - "in your face," to use the modern term. It breaks down the door to one's consciousness and grabs one's attention. It seeks to monopolize its environment and recklessly assert itself into every social context. Over time, its listeners have their natural defenses against it battered down, until ultimately it has the same addictive effect on the soul that tobacco and alcohol have on the body. It becomes an audio drug that actually creates a dependency for itself within its devotees. The third characteristic of the music of rebellion is that it sounds like shouting and (according to Moses in verse 18) people crying out. The clamor Joshua heard was so discordant and disquieting that he thought that the people were engaged in a fierce battle.
   Yet, it is vital to note in this passage that the music of rebellion had been welded to religious worship. The same unholy union between the worship of God and the music of the Devil is being forced upon us today. Let us continue to resist the music of rebellion in our homes and private lives, but especially in our churches. - A.M.

The Christian and Music Seminar
Lesson # 8
CONVICTION or PREFERENCE?
Introduction:

It is clear through the study of the Word of God that the Lord expects every believer to be a person of conviction. Conviction may be defined as "the state of being persuaded that something is Scripturally true and thus having the determination not to turn from that truth." A Biblical illustration of this is found in Joshua 24:14,15 cf 2 Timothy 1:12.
On the other hand preference is "selecting some one or some thing because of personal desire.

One of the problems of present day Christianity is that many believers are individuals of preference instead of conviction! The problem with this is that though what they say is true, yet they may not be committed to that truth and consequently compromise results. Are we as believers and leaders of other individuals ones of CONVICTION or ones of PREFERENCE?

Apply the following thoughts to your life to determine the real answer:
   1. Facts About a Conviction
     a. It must not change under any circumstances (1 Corinthians 15:58).
     b. It must be consistent at all times (Philippians 1:27).
     c. It must be lived at all times (2 Peter 3:11).
   2. Questions asked to determine who is an individual of conviction (Based upon a 1972 Supreme Court
        Case).
     a. What magazines are in your homes?
     b. What television programs do you watch?
     c. What is your Bible study like?
     d. Do you drive beyond the speed limit?
   The above questions were made up by former seminarians who turned away from the Lord.

But the important question is:
   Based upon the above questions, do you have conviction or preference? Many people have doctrine, but those doctrines have not been translated into permanent convictions. Such is the source of lukewarm Christianity!
The following are basic convictions upon which every believer should stand firmly without any reservation:
  I. The Bible must be the ultimate authority in my life (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:89)!
II. The priorities of God must be the ultimate goal in my life (Titus 2:11-14; Colossians 3:14)!
III. The church must teach certain fundamental truths:
   A. Inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16),
   B. Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:18-25),
   C. Blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22; 1 John 1:7),
   D. Second Coming of Christ (Hebrews 9:28),
   E. The Sinfulness of Man (Romans 3:9-23),
   F. The Holiness of God (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 57:15),
   G. The Literal Interpretation of Scripture (Matthew 5:18; 22:43,44),
   H. Separation from the World (Romans 12:1,2; 16:17,18; 2 Thessalonians
     3:6;14)!
IV. My activities must never weaken the Scriptural conviction of others (1 Corinthians 8:9-13;
        Romans 14:13)!
  V. Marriage is a life-long commitment to God and my partner (Genesis 2:12-24)!
VI. My affection must be upon things above (Colossians 3:1-3)!
VII. My music must be God-honoring (Ephesians 5:10,19,20)!

Without a doubt, there are many more convictions the Christian should have but the above is an example of what should be seen in the believer's life.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PERSON OF CONVICTION?
(Note Ezekiel 22:3-31)
Israel lacked conviction and as a result became a very sinful people!
Notice the eleven sins mentioned in the text:

   1. Murder (v. 3a),
   2. Idolatry (v. 3b),
   3. Parental Dishonor (v. 7a),
   4. Oppressed fatherless and widows (v. 7b),
   5. Godly Dishonor (v. 8),
   6. Incest (v. 10),

7. Godly Neglect (v. 12),
8. Impurity (v. 24),
9. False Teachers (v. 25),
10. Corrupt Spiritual Leaders (v. 26),
11. Greed (v. 29).

NO CONVICTION = SIN AND COMPROMISE!
NOTE: According to verse 30, God wants people to "Stand In the Gap," that is to be people of conviction.
HOW IS THAT ACCOMPLISHED?
By three spiritual qualities:
I. Faith
   A. The Fact Stated: There must be recognition of God's truth and then submitting in absolute surrender to that
        truth (Joshua 1:5-7).
     1. Executing God's counsel (Isaiah 46:10,11);
     2. Acting on God's Word (Hebrews 13:5,6);
   B. The Fact Proven (Daniel 3:17-27);
   C. The Fact Applied:
     1. The must (Hebrews 11:6: Romans 10:17).
     2. The alternative (James 4:17; Romans 14:15).
II. Virtue
   Virtue comes from the Greek word aretay. Virtue is found only four times in the New Testament. To the ancient Greek it was the god-like quality in life which enabled one to be remembered after death and thus achieve immortality. In the New Testament it is the standard of living that conforms to the character of The Lord Jesus Christ. It is manifestation of divine power reflecting moral excllence in every area of life -- Christ-likeness in behavior. God expects us to announce abroad, by means of our lives as well as our lips, the virtues of Him Who summoned us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
   A. Obedience:
     l. To the Will of God (Hebrews 10:9) -- example of Christ's obedience (Philippians 2:5-9);
     2. To the sayings of Christ (Matthew 7:24) -- challenged to obedience.
   B. Prayer:
     1. Jesus' example (Mark 1:35);
     2. Jesus' exhortation (Luke 18:11) -- challenged to pray.
   C. Righteousness:
     1. The proof of regeneration (1 John 2:29;3:7,10) -- God's righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5,6);
     2. The plea for action (1 Corinthians 15:34).
   D. Attitude: Humility
     1. A prerequisite to virtue -- Christ's example (Philippians 2:2-8 cf. 4:8);
     2. A prerequisite to exaltation (James 4:10).
III. Knowledge (Hosea 4:6) of
   A. Who God is, what He expects, and what He wants to do through me. And
   B. What God's purposes are.
   C. A paradox -- the two-fold necessity:
     1. Necessary to walk worthy in virtue (2 Peter 1:3-5,8).
     2. Necessary to be added to virtue (2 Peter 1:5-10).

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