• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and length. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s topic is conflict. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
Music has the power to lift our spirits and to touch our emotions. It can affect us spiritually as well as physically. Unfortunately, in times of austerity, music and other art forms are often eliminated from our children’s education. The importance of music and its inclusion in the school curriculum is described in the following quote from the Baha’i writings.
“The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are pure, and melodies have great influence in them. The latent talents with which the hearts of these children are endowed will find expression through the medium of music. Therefore, you must exert yourselves to make them proficient; teach them to sing with excellence and effect. It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for without knowledge of this art the melodies of instrument and voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. Likewise, it is necessary that the schools teach it in order that the souls and hearts of the pupils may become vivified and exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment.”
Though music can be uplifting and spiritually stirring, the following quote, also from the Baha’i writings, cautions us not to abuse this beautiful gift from God.
“Beware lest such listening cause you to transgress the bounds of decency and dignity. …We have made music a ladder by which souls may ascend to the realm on high. Change it not into wings for self and passion. I seek refuge in God that you be not of the ignorant.”
Lama Tashi Dundrup
Kaua‘i Dharma Center
In the tantric spiritual practices of Vajrayana Buddhism, music is one of the eight offerings to honor the enlightened state of mind. In our shamanistic ritual practices, music, along with chanting of mantras and prayers, is accompanied with drums, symbols, bells and horns. These musical vibrations not only open the heart and affect the chakra energy centers within the body mind complex, but outside attract various spirits who also take part and be benefited and healed by these rituals. The altruistic motivation is to benefit all living beings and the natural world with this auspicious activity.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Music has long been a part of the worship of God. The first mention of music is in Genesis 4:21, where we meet a man named Jubal, “the father of all who play the harp and flute.” We have been playing instruments and singing ever since.
God’s people have always been lovers of music. Throughout the Bible’s pages, saints of God used music to express both their joy and their sorrow. We read anthems of gladness and sadness, songs of adoration and detestation, and arias of gratitude and grievance. Ballads were sung to inspire prophets, enthrone kings, drink to the harvest, exorcise evil spirits, celebrate marriages and lament deaths. Music accompanied feasts, labor, merrymaking, war and worship.
Psalms is an entire book of the Bible devoted to expressing truth through melody. They were written in different time periods, by different people, to express different emotions and truths. Some of the psalms express faith in God; other mirror distress. The first psalm compares two different lifestyles: One good and one bad. The last psalm is a song of exuberant praise. Every psalm is a stand-alone musical composition, accompanied by instruments often named in the heading: Strings, flutes, a zither and so on. The psalms affords the sincere worshipper a comprehensive model for the expression of his love and praise to God.
God intends that the music of His people accomplish a spiritual work. Music’s purpose in church is not entertainment. It is not to be viewed as a “time-filler” for public meetings. Music serves the purpose of encouraging people and praising God.
Kahu James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
It’s been said that music lifts us to a place that mere words are unable. I believe it. And music is also one of our favorite ways to worship and praise the God who gives us life. The Bible tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord, to praise God with musical instruments, to sing and rejoice.
People of faith also derive strength, inspiration and comfort from the great songs of faith. I can’t imagine how barren my life would be were it not for how biblical material was set to music by the great composers. Singing the choruses of Handel’s Messiah, for example, does something so much more than merely reciting the verses of the prophet Isaiah. Through music, the inspiration of holy scripture takes wings and lifts us to an exalted place where we imagine ourselves in the congregation of angels.
Topic for two
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on mercy?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to afrainier@thegardenisland.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
