josh_lp74:
I have a persuasive library paper of 1000 words in length, to write for my english 103 class. The paper is due October 18th, 2005. The criteria I was given, for the topic I chose:
“Hell’s Bells”: The debate over worshiping God with hard rock music- God can, or can not, be worshiped with this style of music (NOTE: Our definition of hard rock music is that this style of music is characterized by extreme volume, distortion, and screamed lyrics which are very difficult if not impossible to understand; also, note that the topic is worship directed specifucally towards God, not general evangelism/outreach)
Any thoughts?
Interesting topic. I come from a perspective that finds pounding rhythm, screaming, loud volume and distortions to be antithetical to what 6000 years of Judaeo-Christian thought has considered to be “worship.” Jews, of course, introduce us to the concept of the Word, which for us becomes Incarnate in Christ. If the Word becomes unintelligible in our worship, then can we call it “worship”?
Catholics offer sacrifice as worship. Our Sacrifice is Communion with Calvary. Calvary is, to my mind, not a place where the natural human heart would give itself to pounding, distorted volume and unintelligible words.
We rejoice and make music in praise. We offer sacrifice in worship. But when we are present to God, when we are in relationship with him, listening to him, then we are most likely to experience that relationship in silence.
I Kings 19:8-13
And [Elijah went] to Horeb the mount of God. And there he came to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
And he said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord.”
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”