Theological Foundations

Part 3: Theological Foundations

In theology we talk and study about God. This is another important foundation in the music ministry. Music ministry can not be separated from God who has created the music. Music ministry needs God as the Source of music.

God is the Creator. He finished His creations in six days and every creation which He created was good but when He created Adam and Eve according to His own image, it was very good. He gives men brain to think and to appreciate beauty even to create the beauty itself regardless the men are Christians or not.

When men create the human art and the beauty, the purpose is to glorify God because God is the One who has given this gift to human being and the gift from Him is worthy. The creation that God made does not only for beauty but it also has function and benefits for human beings (“And the LORD God made all kinds of tress grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food” Genesis 2:9a).

After God created Adam and Eve, He said to them to fill the earth and to subdue it. He asked them to rule over the creation (Genesis 1:28). Christians also have to rule over the music. They have the control toward music and not the music which controls them. Christians do not worship the music, the creation but the music is used to worship God, the Creator and giving the best to God as their offering.

Church music is a functional art-created and used by human beings to serve the purposes of God. Five areas where the music could serve to fulfill the purposes of God: Music serves in the worship. Music is an aid to the act of worship. Music serves for evangelism. It supports the Word of God that being preached in the evangelistic service. Music also serves for education or nurture. A music minister can teach or edify the congregation through music such as singing hymns or ministry in the choir. Music also serves for pastoral care, in the ministry, and in the fellowship. Music helps one community to serve the Lord together, to serve each other, and to have fellowship with each other. Church music should fulfill for these functions because we do not only see the church music from the view of art and beauty but it should function correctly to glorify God who has created the music for us.