Secular Music that Seems Devotional

Post by **_TK** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:31 am

Have any of you been affected spiritually (in a good way) by any pieces of secular music? I am all of the time- particularly by composers/bands that are definitely not Christian.

Why do you think this is? Can God use secular music to produce a feeling of devotion, even if that wasnt the intent of the musician?

Here are a couple of examples from youtube that i think fit this category (at least for me). you'll have to ignore some of the language used by reviewers. just watch and listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOgQyIMX_XU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cZGgtN4 ... ed&search=

TK

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:31 pm

Hi TK,

Those are both quite beautiful. It's very reminiscent of what I used to hear on a syndicated radio program called "Music from the Hearts of Space" ( http://www.hos.com ).

This is a subject close to my heart.

The Augustinian/Calvinist view that man is totally depraved, has nothing good in him, blah blah blah, tends to lead to a classification of art as either "sacred" or "profane" (or, in modern Christian parlance, "Christian" vs. "secular"). One then feels obligated to have a twinge of guilt over enjoying a "secular" piece of art and has to wonder if there is some way God can still use it, despite its creators being completely seperated from God.

On the other hand, the Origenian view that God is working in all people (and, in fact, in all of creation) to bring about complete restoration enables one to appreciate echos of God and man's yearning for God in all art without distinction. As the Quakers like to say, "There is that of God in everyone." If Jesus is drawing all men to Himself, then one would expect to see this expressed, perhaps more than anywhere else, in art; and perhaps even without the artist's full awareness.

Personally, I find that "non-Christian" art (music, movies, visual art, etc.) is often more passionate, honest and moving than the "Christian" counterpart; which often strikes me as mediocre, formulaic and neutered.

Post by **_TK** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:51 pm

Music from the hearts of space-- wow i havent heard of that program in a long time.

If all good things are from above-- and if a piece of music is artistically good, well...

Brian Eno is a particular composer whose ambient works seem inspired- at least they inspire me.

That Sigur Ros tune was actually used as background music to a video clip shown in our church recently (we have a hip media guy). i about fell out of my seat when I heard it, particularly because i figured i was the only person in my town who had ever heard of Sigur Ros.

Another piece of music that hits me (opera actually, which generally i dont care for) is Vide Cor Meum by Patrick Cassidy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOkk5jwGt9o

TK

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:20 pm

Lovely...

One of my all-time favorite CD's is called "Aria 2" by Paul Schwartz. He took various opera arias and remixed them with ambient arrangements and beats.
http://www.paulschwartz.com/aria2.html

Here's a Youtube video that features one of the tracks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMEXkW7ngoU

Post by **_TK** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:49 pm

Danny- that is AWESOME! i love it when people introduce me to interesting new music. thx! i'll be buying that CD.

TK

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:55 pm

Likewise, I'm looking more closely into Sigur Ros.

Post by **_Homer** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:58 pm

What about songs that "admonish and exhort"? Here is one that should move us to do something now for someone. (Another song with basically the same message changed me, but I couldn't find the lyrics.) So often we seem to go to funerals of folks we didn't visit, or do anything for, when it would have meant a lot to them. Sort of hypocritical, huh?

Perhaps its not exactly secular.

By Uncle Earl (an all girl string band):

"My Epitaph"

When I go from this life, let me go in peace
Don’t want your marble at my head and feet
Don’t gather round me oh just to weep and moan
Where that I’m going I won’t be alone

The flowers you give, please give them today
Don’t waste their beauty on cold lifeless clay
One rose with love could do so much good
And I think all would give it if they just understood

Now God gives life freely, then he takes away
What we do for each other let us do it today
For we have no promise that tomorrow will come
Don’t sing my praises lord after I’m gone

When life has departed it’s not me any more
Just a form that has suffered, A still heart that was sore
For the soul that has blossomed, it don’t need you anymore
So let it go freely to God’s evermore

Post by **_Christopher** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:24 am

Hi Danny,

I would have to agree with what you wrote.

Residual beauty, truth, and compassion are part of being made in the image of God IMO.

I like how you describe it as "echos", that is a great description of how I feel about it.

I have come to reject the total depravity doctrine as Calvin posits it as well.

I think I have been moved more by some "secular" art (movies, music, poetry, etc.) then I have by "Christian" art for the very same reasons you describe...."neutered".

I appreciate this topic TK, thanks.

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:53 pm

"neutered"

Which was a nice way of saying it lacks, umm ...

Post by **_GCS 98** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:06 pm

Mort_Coyle wrote:Likewise, I'm looking more closely into Sigur Ros.

Sigur Ros' music has elsewhere been described as spiritual music however in an interview I read the singer noted that none of them were religious or had any interest in religion. The singer is actually a homosexual.

Other music in this category I find a bit spiritual is iron and wine- especially old stuff because of its biblical imagery and even Dave Matthews as you can see him wrestling with spiritual issues throughout his music.