A Theology of Classical Music

If you have been following Making Melody Music Academy for any length of time, you know that one of our key verses is Jeremiah 32:39: “I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship Me forever.” We know that worship is the highest calling, for it is what we were created to do. We know that as worship musicians, our heart posture should always be love for Jesus, our playing and singing should honor the Lord, and our focus should be on Him alone.

But as musicians, we also have a desire for excellence in music, and some of the most excellent music ever written is in a genre called “classical music.” And to be honest, most of classical music wasn’t written for worship, and a large part of it wasn’t even written by Christians. So as worship musicians, is it okay to play Beethoven… or Tchaikovsky… or the Beatles… or Happy Birthday? Where is the line, where does the sacred meet the secular, and where does the secular become sacred because the light of Jesus has shone upon it, casting out all darkness?

A theology of music

First, let’s look at the origin and purpose of music according to the Bible. In Zephaniah 3:17, we read that the Lord Himself “will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (NKJV). So God sings… and more than that, since God created all things, He is the author of music!

Second, all creation was made to sing. When John saw the vision of heaven in Revelation 5, verse 13 tells us that “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea” was singing, “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” So not only is God the author of music, but all creation was made to sing.

Third, even matter itself sings. Scientists tell us that every object consists of atoms which are in a state of constant vibration, and this vibration produces frequencies – or music. So God sings, all creation was made to sing, and even matter itself sings. Music is solidly biblical, and we were created to be musical.

Can all music be redeemed?

If all music were written for the glory of God by perfect, godly lovers of Jesus, there would be no need to have this discussion. But the reality is that much of classical music was not written for the glory of God, and much of it was written by people who had no fear of the Lord or love for Him at all. So if God is the author of music and we were made to be musical, can all music be redeemed?

The faults of the classical composers are many. Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn were believers who sincerely loved the Lord, but they stand among a sea of others who did not. Many well-known classical composers practiced immorality, others had problems with alcohol and anger, and one composer is known for receiving much of his musical inspiration from voices (likely demonic voices) in his head.

And yet, we can make some comparisons to well-known believers throughout history. Beethoven had a drinking problem, but so did evangelist A.A. Allen – and for that matter, even Baptist theologian Charles Spurgeon drank moderately and believed he could “smoke to the glory of God.” Even in Scripture, we read of King David, Solomon, Samson, Balaam, Moses, and others who were less than perfect. Did their imperfections discount their teachings, their writings, and their music? No… but there is more.

Can a musician be anointed of the Lord? Absolutely. Can a musician be influenced by a demonic spirit? Of course.

Yes, there is some music that should never be played by Christians anywhere, anytime, for any reason. And there is other music that we should avoid because of its associations. But regarding music in the “gray area,” I repeat my opening question:

Is it okay to play Tchaikovsky, or the Beatles, or Happy Birthday? Where is the line? Where does the sacred meet the secular? And when does the secular become sacred because the light of Jesus has shone upon it, casting out all darkness?

Every moment holy

Can a simple task such as making dinner be holy because the Lord is doing it through us? If so, then can playing a Chopin nocturne be holy too because He is doing it through us? When making dinner, most of us don’t stop to think of the character of the people who processed our food. Is it possible that the Lord Jesus in us has the power and authority to make everything we touch holy?

And yet, Romans 14 still stands. If eating meat causes your brother or sister to stumble, don’t eat meat. If playing Tchaikovsky causes your brother or sister to stumble (or if it bothers your own conscience), find a different piece to add to your recital.

In conclusion, is it possible to play the beautiful works of Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert, and Debussy in the presence of the Lord and from a heart of love for Him? I believe so. This is the meaning of redemption – the light and love of Jesus purifying and making holy that which once was impure and unholy. And yet, let’s not use our liberty at the expense of another person’s conscience, or at the expense of our testimony. Let us take each musical decision to the Lord, asking how we can best glorify Him through our musical choices.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.