Praying in the Spirit: Singing in the Spirit
Some of you may be wondering what I have done with the Scripture that says, “So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” (1 Corinthians 14: 23). In my thinking, Paul is not addressing the matter of congregational singing in the Spirit. As I said before, a song need not be understood to be meaningful. Cadence, rhythm, and melody carry their own meaning and beauty. What I believe Paul is talking about here is a situation where tongues are spoken for the congregation’s edification too often and without interpretation. Solo glossolalic songs addressing a congregation would, however, fall under the force of this verse. It should be remembered that Paul is speaking to a particular situation, and it is conceivable that his suggested advice here would not apply to a dissimilar situation. We must be careful not to force biblical injunctions into situations that do not repeat the biblical scenario.
Where has this discussion about music, singing, and speaking in tongues led us? In regard to music, we have learned a phenomenon need not be intelligible to be meaningful. It need not communicate through propositional statements of facts, logic, and opinion to have value. In fact, it is contrary to the very nature of Mystery to be susceptible to verbal encapsulation. By faith, glossolalia, like music, bears witness to the Mystery. In regard to singing with the understanding, we have seen that the purpose of the glossolalic song is no different from the purpose of the non-glossolalic song. Each is offered to God as praise, petition, or thanksgiving. Each addresses God but can be beneficial to any listener. In regard to speaking in tongues, we have concluded that the relevant guidelines that Paul laid down for tongues-speaking are also applicable to solo singing in the Spirit. By formulating a theology of singing in the Spirit from these three areas, we have built a biblical foundation for this charismatic expression in the Church.
PR
Next Issue concludes the Praying in the Spirit Series with “Afterword: Beyond the Charismatic Experience”
Works Cited
Alford, Delton L. Music in the Pentecostal Church. Cleveland, Tenn.: Pathway Press, 1967.
Hunter, Stanley Armstrong, ed. Music and Religion New York: AMS Press Inc., 1973.
Johansson, Calvin M. Music and Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1984.
McCommon, Paul. Music in the Bible. Nashville, Tenn.: Convention Press, 1956.
Topp, Dale. Music in the Christian Community: Claiming Musical Power for Service and Worship. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976.
Category: Spirit, Spring 2001
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