| Music: God's Noble Gift to His People by Warren Krug (November-December, 2002) |
An article in the March 7 issue of Nature magazine raised yet another question that is
puzzling evolutionists but for which Christians have a ready answer—what is the purpose
of music?
“An appreciation of music confers no glaringly obvious advantage in the darwinian
struggle for survival,” mused the writer, Alison Abbott. “It remains unclear why evolution
should have shaped our brains to derive pleasure from music.”
Abbott proceeded though to offer a series of theories as to why music appreciation
“evolved.” Perhaps music promotes social cohesion, she writes.
puzzling evolutionists but for which Christians have a ready answer—what is the purpose
of music?
“An appreciation of music confers no glaringly obvious advantage in the darwinian
struggle for survival,” mused the writer, Alison Abbott. “It remains unclear why evolution
should have shaped our brains to derive pleasure from music.”
Abbott proceeded though to offer a series of theories as to why music appreciation
“evolved.” Perhaps music promotes social cohesion, she writes.
On the other hand, maybe our love of music might just be a pleasurable side-effect of our developing perceptual
abilities (“auditory cheesecake” as one neuroscientist called it).
Then again, maybe music promotes perceptual skills and motor skills.
Or, for a far-out theory, some scientists have actually proposed that a mother’s singing can cause a baby’s hair
to stand on end and keep it warm. Hence the need for music.
When all is said and done, scientists are divided as to whether music is “the product of evolutionary design” or
just a happy byproduct of how our auditory system analyses sounds.
However, the Creator of both music and the laws of science has given us what is almost surely the main purpose
for music.
“Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music; strike the tambourine, play
the melodious harp and lyre.” Psalm 81:1-2 (NIV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you
sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
God gave us the gift of music and the ability to enjoy and use it, especially to his glory.
We don’t have to wonder why we have music. But with Martin Luther we can praise God for this gift.
“Music is a noble gift of God, next to theology. I would not change my little knowledge of music for a great deal.”
Martin Luther. Conversations with Luther, page 99. LSI
—Warren Krug, editor
abilities (“auditory cheesecake” as one neuroscientist called it).
Then again, maybe music promotes perceptual skills and motor skills.
Or, for a far-out theory, some scientists have actually proposed that a mother’s singing can cause a baby’s hair
to stand on end and keep it warm. Hence the need for music.
When all is said and done, scientists are divided as to whether music is “the product of evolutionary design” or
just a happy byproduct of how our auditory system analyses sounds.
However, the Creator of both music and the laws of science has given us what is almost surely the main purpose
for music.
“Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music; strike the tambourine, play
the melodious harp and lyre.” Psalm 81:1-2 (NIV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you
sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
God gave us the gift of music and the ability to enjoy and use it, especially to his glory.
We don’t have to wonder why we have music. But with Martin Luther we can praise God for this gift.
“Music is a noble gift of God, next to theology. I would not change my little knowledge of music for a great deal.”
Martin Luther. Conversations with Luther, page 99. LSI
—Warren Krug, editor