In my observations and experience, it is possible for two intelligent people to have very unfruitful conversation due to differences in presupposition. It is not helpful to discuss to argue subsequential issues when the approach from each party is mutually exclusive from the outset.
My aim, therefore, is to clarify my presuppositions from the beginning, as best as I can. If a disagreement in an analysis stems from a dichotomy in presupposition, then I am willing to reexamine the foundations. When people are willing to take this approach, opinions can be changed or the respectful "agree to disagree" can be reached.
In seeking to lay out these presuppositions, I openly acknowledge that I have not "arrived" in this life, and I do not lay a claim for having all wisdom and knowledge. My heart is to continually review and reevaluate my doctrine and the ways by which I practically seek to live out my worldview.
Presuppositions
- 2 Timothy 3:14-17
- Hebrews 4:12
- 2 Peter 1:19-21
- John 18:37-38
- John 8:31-32
- John 14:6
- All throughout the book of Psalms
- 2 Chronicles 5 - Dedication of the temple; 2 Chronicles 20 - God uses Jehoshapat's army to conquer through song; book of Nehemiah - dedication of the wall of Jerusalem; Matthew 26 - Psalms sung after the Passover meal; Revelation 5 - A new song sung by the elders
- Zephaniah 3
- Colossians 3:16
4. Because of man's disobedience to God, all things bear the weight of degeneration and misuse. This means that music can often be perverted and used for other purposes than God's original intent.
- Romans 12:1-2 (patterns of this age)
- 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (rejection of truth)
- Hebrews 3:13 (deception of sin)
5. Jesus Christ came to spread redemption over the reaches of disobedience and curse. As a follower of Jesus Christ and benefactor of his redemption, I am free to listen to any kind of music and search out the truth found in it. The music I choose to listen to should point, in some ways, to the truths of God's character, works, and redemption.
- Colossians 2:15-20
- Colossians 3:16-17
- Titus 2:11-14
6. Followers of Christ dishonor him when we passively and mindlessly consume music without thought to its content. We also must guard against listening to music only for the sake of the emotions it causes or the beat it has. For music to have redemptive value, it must be built on a foundation of truth.
- Romans 12:1-2
- Philippians 4:8
- Colossians 3:16-17
Methods for Analysis
The eight questions that come from those passages are:
1. Is there anything good I can hold on to from this song?
2. Is there anything true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy in this song?
3. When I listen to this song, does my thinking become conformed or transformed?
4. Does this song cause me to set my mind on things above or on earthly things?
5. Is this song leading me to feel anger, rage, malice, or slander?
6. Does this song contain filthy language or encourage me to use filthy language?
7. Is this song calling me to pursue youthful passions?
8. Can I listen to this song in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him?
The "MALL" method - In this method, we use the acronym "MALL" to guide our thinking. MALL stands for:
M - "What is the meaning of these lyrics? I don't know the meaning."
A - "What this song is saying is clearly against Biblical standards.
L - "I know what the lyrics mean, but I don't know what the Bible says about them. I either need to
learn what the Bible says or leave this song off my playlist."
L - "I can enjoy these lyrics while giving God glory for them.
Both of these methods are only for analyzing the lyrics of a song. As time progress and I continue on in this endeavor, I will work to add more criteria for evaluating the music.
