In the dawn of a seemingly endless stream of songs that seek to undermine the Judeo-Christian values I was born and taught with I find myself in very close agreement with The Republic and its views on music and poetry.
"It follows, then, that the very citadel for guardians' defense of the city must be located in the realms of music and poetry. Certainly here is where license and lawlessness infiltrate most easily." (Plato 424d)
The ancient greeks throughout this conversation seem to be critically aware of something that as modern day christians are so blind to. Culture can be toxic and I see today the toxicity of songs like WAP by Cardi B, The Man by Taylor Swift, or Hot Girl Bummer by blackbear pervade our everyday lives. I hear many christians say something along the lines of, "I like the song but I hate the lyrics" Censorship is in some circumstances is bad I will never deny that but the fact of the matter is we as Christians are called to perform a self censorship. Romans 12:2 tells us to not be conformed to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. we are told through the epistles that there are things we must sacrifice for relationship and to bear witness to of to others of Christ. 1 Timothy 4:12 tells us to be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit , in faith, and in purity. Now purity can be drawn directly to sexual purity but I feel as though it can also be drawn a direct connection to being pure of the stains of this world. Although I do not agree with the prospect of governmental forced censorship, I fully believe that it is our duty as followers of Christ to embrace our set apart nature, remembering we are holy vessels. This is a reflection for me of 2 Timothy 2:20-26. Paul tells Timothy here to set himself apart from the actions of the world in order to be considered a vessel of Gold or silver intended for honorable uses.
I will be the last one to tell you that you can't listen to the music or art of this world but what I will urge you is with one question, "Do you want to be a vessel God uses for honorable works or a vessel God uses for dishonorable works?"
Let me rephrase that, "Do you want people to look and you and see what they should do or what they should not do?"
I commented on Clabo and Isabelle's blogs.
I appreciate your perspective on this week's reading, this is not only accurate to Plato's Republic and their stance on music but also critically relatable to today's society. I find myself going against this base Christian ideology of not conforming to the world, often times without even noticing that I'm contradicting what the lifestyle of a Christian should be. I find it interesting that the ancient Greeks felt this way about music; it helps us see a little deeper into what their culture and what they believed. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, I believe that we should have a filter as a child. I also do believe though that God does make some people examples of different things regardless of your action. I don't view those people necessarily as examples of what not to do, but more like different colors and without those different colors I wouldn't understand and appreciate my own different color in contrast or comparison.
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