In college I had two majors:
music composition and microbiology. Of these two degrees music was the
more challenging of the two, because rather than simply studying and
regurgitating information it required my synthesis of new musical scores and
performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed my study of
music, but I found my biggest handicap was my lack of musicianship. To be
honest I hate practicing (still do). Most of my friends in the music
department would ideally spend 4-6 hours at the piano or with their violins.
I get bored after 15 minutes, about when I am actually warmed up. As
I learned more as a composer, I realized music theory is no substitute for
playing an instrument. The theory is fascinating, but music is ultimately
about performance. It is only when played by a musician, in real time, the
countless notes I have written come alive.
Furthermore the validity of
academic study of music theory is ultimately derived from the performance of
music, both those creating music (musician) and those receiving music
(audience/other musicians). Music theory is proved when the average
person can pick up an instrument and over time discover everything taught in
the classroom. Music is art, meaning it should express thoughts, ideas,
and emotions which are understood by people, and music is subjective.
With these two qualities come certain risks for educational institutions
focused on this subject. If academia makes statements and preferences
about music and music theory which the common person cannot understand or agree
with, then the institution has lost its ability to properly engage with people
and culture.
Jesus is a musician. What I
mean is Jesus did not come to teach us a new philosophy or to theorize about
God’s Kingdom. Instead Jesus came to
Earth, embodied God's Kingdom, and lived a sinless life for us. Now He welcomes us to join His orchestra and
participate.
We have to be careful not to
become only Jesus theorists. It can be easy to convince ourselves because
we know the proper theology, ecclesiology, or missiology this somehow qualifies
as faith. The problem is Jesus is not some
theory and God's Kingdom is not mere ideas or ideals. Following His
example I have to actually live out my faith. I enjoy studying theology
and see great fruit from it, but only as I am able to apply it in my life.
Faith is not knowledge; a living faith requires action and an embodiment
of God's Kingdom. As scripture describes it, "faith by itself, if it
has no works, is dead" (James 2:17).
As individuals we need to be
careful not to settle for theory alone, and we as the Church need to guard
against this as well. Just as academia can lose its purpose by isolating
itself from people, the Church too can become the haunt of theorists and those already
members of the Church. It is not enough
to love the poor in theory. Instead we
need to focus upon engaging with people; reaching out, expressing our faith,
and loving the others whom Jesus deeply loves.
We have been called to join God’s ministry of reconciliation, and our
mission is to do just this.
If my writing, if our reading,
praying, and listening to sermons only increases our Jesus theory and not our
embodiment of God's Kingdom, we are wasting our time.
So
let us go practice living like Jesus in His Kingdom here on Earth. I don't
know about you, but I feel I am just getting warmed up
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