How to

Choose a
odly Music
Message
Colosas 3:16
“Manahanan nawang sagana sa
inyo ang salita ni Cristo; ayon sa
buong karunungan, kayo'y
mangagturuan at
mangagpaalalahanan sa isa't
isa sa pamamagitan ng mga
salmo at ng mga himno at mga
awit na ukol sa espiritu, na
magsiawit kayong may biyaya
sa inyong puso sa Dios.”
Questions to
Answer…
1. Do we have to choose our
Music? Why?
2. What is the view of the
Bible and SOP about Music?
3. What are the guidelines of
our church when it comes
to choice of Music?
4. How to choose Godly
Music?
Do we have to choose our Music?
Why?
…The powers of satanic agencies blend
with the din and noise to have a
carnival, and this is termed the Holy
Spirit's working. . . . Those things
which have been in the past will be in
the future. Satan will make music a
snare by the way in which it is
conducted. – Last Day Events, p. 159
Do we have to choose
our Music? Why?
The Holy Spirit has nothing to
do with such a confusion of
noise and multitude of sounds
as passed before me last
January. Satan works amid the
din and confusion of such
music, which, properly
conducted, would be a praise
and glory to God. He makes its
effect like the poison sting of
the serpent.
- 2 Selected Messages, p. 37
Do we have to choose our Music? Why?

Music is not a concern of churches

alone. It is also the concern of
educators. Allan Bloom states,
“Though students do not have
books, they most emphatically do have
music. Nothing is more singular about
this generation than its addiction to
music. This is the age of music and the
states of soul that accompany it. Today,
a very large proportion of young people
between the ages of ten and twenty live
for music. It is their passion; nothing
else excites them as it does; they cannot
take seriously anything alien to music.
Nothing surrounding them - school,
family, church - has anything, to do with
their musical world.”
Do we have to choose
our Music? Why?
Further, English psychiatrist
Anthony Stoff adds,
Music is so freely
available today that we take
it for granted and
underestimate its power for
good or ill.
Do we have to choose our
Music? Why?

Music is often perverted to

serve purposes of evil, and it
thus becomes one of the most
alluring agencies of
temptation. But, rightly
employed, it is a precious gift
of God, designed to uplift the
thoughts to high and noble
themes, to inspire and elevate
the soul. . .
- Child Guidance, p. 523
It is within this milieu that
Seventh-day Adventists seek
to establish a philosophy of
music that strengthens the
individual's relationship to
Christ and the principles of
His kingdom.
What is the view of the Bible
and SOP about Music?
• Music is a gift of God, designed to
inspire and elevate the individual. This
gift may be perverted to serve purposes
of evil, and as such is a most alluring
agency of temptation.
• Music helps in the memorization of
God's Word, "There are few means more
effective for fixing His words in the
memory than repeating them in song."
• Music is "one of the most effective
means of impressing the heart with
spiritual truth."
What is the view of the Bible
and SOP about Music?

• Music is a valuable educational tool

in both home and school. Singing
draws parents, teachers, and students
closer to God and to one another.
• "As a part of religious service,
singing is as much an act of worship
as is prayer."
• Through music "Heaven's
communion begins on earth. We
learn here the keynote of its praise."
What are the guidelines of our
church when it comes to Music?
• Bring glory to God and assist us in acceptably
worshiping Him (1 Cor 10:31).
• Ennoble, uplift, and purify the Christian's thoughts
(Phil 4:8; PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS, p. 594).
• Effectively influence the Christian in the
development of Christ's character in his life and
in that of others (MS 57, 1906).
• Have a text [words, lyric, message] which is in
harmony with the scriptural teachings of the
Church (REVIEW AND HERALD, June 6, 1912).
• Reveal a compatibility between the message
conveyed by the words and the music, avoiding a
mixture of the sacred and the profane.
What are the guidelines of our
church when it comes to Music?
• Shun theatricality and prideful display (EVANGELISM,
p. 137; REVIEW AND HERALD, November 30, 1900).
• Give precedence to the message of the text, which
should not be overpowered by accompanying musical
elements (GOSPEL WORKERS, pp. 357-358).
• Maintain a judicious balance of the emotional,
intellectual, and spiritual elements (REVIEW AND
HERALD, November 14, 1899).
• Never compromise high principles of dignity and
excellence in efforts to reach people just where they are
(TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, 9:143; EVANGELISM,
p. 137).
• Be appropriate for the occasion, the setting, and the
audience for which it is intended (EVANGELISM, pp. 507-
508).
What are the guidelines of our
church when it comes to Music?

Autumn Council of the

General Conference
Committee
October 14-29, 1972,
Mexico City
How to Choose Godly Music?
• What is the message of the piece?
• What is its the emotional and
behavioral impact?
• What is the cultural context?
• What is its aesthetic value?
• What is its appropriateness for worship
• What is its worship value?
• What is its entertainment value?
• What is its educational value?
Evangelism, p. 512
Music is acceptable to God
only when the heart is
sanctified and made soft and
holy by its facilities. But many
who delight in music know
nothing of making melody in
their hearts to the Lord. Their
heart is gone "after their
idols."
Colosas 3:16
“Manahanan nawang sagana sa
inyo ang salita ni Cristo; ayon sa
buong karunungan, kayo'y
mangagturuan at
mangagpaalalahanan sa isa't isa
sa pamamagitan ng mga salmo at
ng mga himno at mga awit na
ukol sa espiritu, na magsiawit
kayong may biyaya sa inyong
puso sa Dios.”