Entries tagged with "music" | This Side of the Pulpit

This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "music"

Hymns, Part II: The Advent Version

November 23rd, 2011 | Add a Comment

I love Advent hymns. Probably more than Christmas carols and hymns. Definitely more than Lenten hymns. Easter hymns would give them a run for their money, however. I’m not sure why I love them so much. Perhaps because they are not overused and overdone like Christmas carols are. Perhaps they evoke the Christmas spirit without evoking muzak, Elvis and Kenny G versions heard at stuffy shopping malls. Maybe they are just pretty. But, to toot the same … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

Pop Culture Religion

September 7th, 2011 | Add a Comment

As if getting teeth cleaned weren’t bad enough, the dental office had to have Ellen DeGeneres on the TV, talking with Lady Gaga. But as I lay there with jaw unhinged, I heard the Gaga say, “Pop culture is religion.” I tried to listen around the scraping and the poking and the flossing, but didn’t hear much more, so I got back to the office and did some searches and found the Gaga saying the same–even that she claims it as her own (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/entertainment/2011-05/30/content_12604116.htm). I think she’s right. Pop Culture is a Culture, a Cultus of its own. I’ve been there and bowed down to the altar of Pop. I’ve been there with the Rolling Stone, the Entertainment Weekly, the Daily Shows, and Late Nights, knowing what band was singing which … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

My Favorite Color by kutiman

March 24th, 2011 | Add a Comment

Here’s a song (and music video) stitched together from Youtube videos. It’s amazing, and actually a pretty cool song. This guy has some extreme talent…and too much time to spare. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Computers&Productivity, Fiction & Art, Personal

World(ly) Music

December 7th, 2010 | 5 Comments

I actually enjoy secular music. I enjoy classic rock, modern rock to some extent, anti-folk artists like Regina Spektor (a new favorite), some metal, classic country, alt-country/no depression, jazz (especially avant-garde), minimalist classical, baroque. You can say I love music. But let’s face it. This stuff is worldly. Worldly things do not belong in the spiritual worship of God. How you judge what is worldly or not is a matter of subtlety and discernment. And we all need to be cautious about how much worldly music and entertainment we take in anyway, outside of worship and church life. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

Church Music Lives

December 1st, 2010 | 11 Comments

Hey…you’re still here? After all this time? Don’t you people every go home? On to the blog… I was in a doctor’s office the other day checking out. One of the staff members had music playing from her computer, and as I walked to the window the song changed to something played on a pipe organ. From where I was standing it was too faint to be heard clearly. The woman setting up the next appointment for me clicked at her mouse and squinted at the screen, and then out of nowhere said over her shoulder, “Is that your music playing, Nancy?” “Christmas carols,” she responded. “Sounds like church music. I don’t want to listen to church music. I’m not in church.” I’ve heard the complaint before when working at a music store. On occasion we … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

For Pr. Gaunt

September 13th, 2010 | Add a Comment

What I expected our former vicar to quote, but which was only alluded to in my mind. I’m saving it up for next year. Great sermon, anyway. God money i’ll do anything for you. God money just tell me what you want me to. God money nail me up against the wall. God money don’t want everything he wants it all. (“Head Like a Hole”, Trent Reznor) And, if you’re interested in the music (brace yourself), just google it. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

My Rocking Alma Mater

August 13th, 2009 | 1 Comment

By MURRAY EVANS, Associated Press Writer – Wed Aug 12, 4:42 pm ET OKLAHOMA CITY – The so-called School of Rock celebrated its grand opening Wednesday in a way that might be expected — with a free concert. Shortly after a brief ceremony to open the University of Central Oklahoma’s Academy of Contemporary Musicin the Bricktown entertainment district, a concert was set to start a few blocks away featuring Oklahoma City bands The Uglysuit, Mama Sweet and Rainbows are Free. Classes begin Monday with about 160 students enrolled. Scott Booker, the manager of Oklahoma City-basedalternative rock band The Flaming Lips, is the school’s chief executive. The academy will offer training in both music performance — with programs in guitar, bass, drums and vocals — and production. Students will go through a two-year degree program and could work later toward a four-year degree at … Read entire article »

Filed under: Personal

HowStuffWorks: Mozart Doesn’t Make You Smarter!

May 9th, 2009 | 2 Comments

It gives me great relief to report that listening to Mozart does not make you smarter. The original study at the University of California-Irvine which found that 10 minutes of Mozart increased results on IQ tests was flawed. HowStuffWorks also states that the study is not reproducible. Mozart was the wrong composer to use in the experiment. It sould have been Bach.That’s why it was really flawed. All Lutherans think Bach is the best, right? Probably, but that’s not why I think Bach should have been used. Read this short piece. Or anything else written about J S Bach. Everyone says he was a profound genius. Or for that matter, go to the library, check out ten Bach CDs and listen to them for a week. After that, anytime you hear a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Personal