Born in Song

I was recently encouraged to start a blog for members of The Crossing's fine arts team. Natually, I wanted to think about this request and consider what the blog would/could be like. A month or two passed and it dawned on me that my personality is one that could spend more time thinking about doing something rather than actually doing it. Now seemed like as good a time as any to start blogging.

My purpose is to post some thoughts, quotes and links on the subject of music, faith and the arts that help us think through the way they (and we) are used for the authentic worship life of the gathered community of God. I also hope to include some posts that encourage, enlighten and perhaps even enthrall us as we pursue the process of becoming more and more dependent on Jesus Christ.

The title of the blog comes from a quote in John Piper's sermon, Singing and Making Melody to the Lord. Piper tells us that the Christian church was "born in song" and singing is an essential part of a life of faith.

Music and singing are necessary to Christian faith and worship for the simple reason that the realities of God and Christ, creation and salvation, heaven and hell are so great that when they are known truly and felt duly, they demand more than discussion and analysis and description; they demand poetry and song and music. Singing is the Christian's way of saying: God is so great that thinking will not suffice, there must be deep feeling; and talking will not suffice, there must be singing.

Piper goes on to unpack Ephesians 5:17-20 giving 6 statements on what the passage has to say about corporate worship. Go and read the whole sermon. It's a great reminder of the importance of singing and music in the life of church and the Christ follower. You'll find the link to the text in sermon title above.