Musical Salvation

John 3:16 came up in a recent lectionary gospel reading, "For God so loved the world…" My pastor chose to concentrate more on 3:17 in his sermon, "God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." His sermon title was "Saved in the Way of Christ." He made the point that God's act of salvation through Jesus Christ begins with our actions of belief, faith, and trust. But the deeper sense of salvation, being saved "in the way of Christ," goes beyond our statement of belief. This deeper salvation calls for our belief and faith to move beyond mere assent of a creed or acceptance of a proposition. It calls us to integrate the teaching and life of Jesus into all aspects of our own lives — personality, intellect, emotion, relationships, activities — so that we are, indeed, fully transformed as disciples of Jesus.

This understanding of salvation is at the very heart of what our church claims as the primary task of the local congregation: the making of disciples for the transformation of the world. We reach out to the world and welcome people into the fellowship of the church family. We work to relate individuals to Christ; then they are transformed by Christ and then, in turn, reach out to the world themselves. Music can play an important role in this process at both stages.

What is the role of music in helping to bring seekers to the initial stage of salvation?
Music can be one way of reaching out. If it is well-chosen, well-rehearsed and presented, appealing musically, understandable and inviting textually in the language of the people, music can serve as an immediate point of connection with seekers — unlike more formal, traditional, liturgical hymns that may also contain dense theological texts or symbolism and imagery unfamiliar to many seekers. Familiar and engaging music will encourage participation and a spirit of community.

What is the role of music in the deeper "salvation in the way of Christ"?
Music can provide a powerful assist in the transformative process from seeker to believer to disciple. Lyrics will teach the faith, transmit the history, and convey the truth of Scripture. As new believers are introduced to the beliefs and practices of the church, they will grow in this deeper way of Christ. Songs that recall or teach about spirituality, growth, and discipleship may become meaningful. One such song is Charles Wesley's autobiographical "And Can It Be That I Should Gain." Other songs can encourage the committed Christian to actions of outreach, service, and discipleship.

What does this mean for us as church musicians?
The day when we musicians can play our organs and pianos, direct our handbells and children's choirs, and select music that will thrill our congregations with our excellence, is over. We must resist the temptation to perform, to celebrate music for the sake of art, to select music that displays the talents of individuals or groups. We must recognize the ability of music to function in ways that invite, evangelize, and transform. We are very much the partner of the preacher and pastor, proclaiming and nurturing in our own way. We must be aware of how music functions in these diverse ways. Our task is to reach out, bring in, teach, nurture, comfort, transform, train, and send. Our materials remain the same as they have always been — hymns, songs, singers, and instruments. But it is important that we understand how we use these materials, how we understand our calling, and what we see as the task that God calls us to and that the church expects of us.

But what about our choirs, instrumentalists, solo performers, concerts, festivals — what about musical beauty and art? Do we now ignore these? No, of course not. There are times and occasions for all of these, and certainly God takes delight in our practiced and perfected musical offerings. But let us keep in mind that while music can thrill and delight both listener and performer, it is also a tool for evangelism, transformation, and discipleship.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.