The world is moving around us without our approval, and it will never do what we want it to. But we do have control over ourselves. Use that control to be like Christ. We can do this with every aspect of our lives, including what music we listen to. Many take this to mean that we should simply listen to things that don’t conflict with what we believe, but this is an empty statement. When reworded, this simply says, “You can listen to a spectrum of music that includes neutrality.” If we’re called to pursue righteousness, why would you want to listen to things that cause apathy in your heart? Surround yourself with art that rekindles your passion for God and for the life he’s given you.
Flee from anything that tells you something in your life meets God’s standards. If you believe that legalism in any way is pleasing to God, then read Mathew 5. The fact is that we’re called to perfection, and no standard that we attempt to achieve will be good enough because we can’t be perfect. So don’t even consider the possibility that the choices of music you’re listening to are good enough. The fact is that you can always do better as a listener, and I can always do better as a composer. Therefore, take your listening to the highest artistic and creative level possible while fleeing from anything that causes apathetic or outright sinful attitudes. I will try to do the same with my writing, but I assure you that I will fail just as much as you will.
Since perfection is impossible (especially for composers) I’m obviously not saying we should expect to even come close to achieving perfection in the art we surround ourselves with. But I firmly believe that our faith isn’t a matter of meeting standards, but going directions. It is our obligation to run as far as we can in the opposite direction of sin. When you’re not moving in a direction you’re being apathetic, and evil will chase you down and direct your momentum back towards death. So let us run passionately towards artistic expression that keeps our momentum moving towards Christ and away from death.
So then, if you desire to be more like Christ do not cater to the world’s desire for a quick fix of enjoyment when it comes to music. This is apathy. Listen deeply to rich textures and complex melodies that you can’t comprehend upon initial perception. This effort will yield a rich and rewarding experience that will direct your attention to the subtleties and complexities of our Creator. Listening to nothing but fluff will distract you from the reality of Christ and dull your spirit. Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Can’t this be applied to art? After all, doesn’t enjoying creative work in the end cause us to find joy in the original Creator?
“The Lord of the Rings” is certainly a step in the right direction for all of us. The music in the film is breathtaking, but unfortunately very few took the time to recognize what inspired the music for the movie. Johan De Meij wrote his first symphony based on the books and which then inspired Howard Shore’s music for the film. While Howard Shore did a remarkable job, it is important to listen to the source and is well worth your time and money. I tried to find a wind band recording (the ensemble he originally wrote the work for), but this is the best I could do: 
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Don’t just make a choice thats good enough. Always make the best one.
>>>The music in the film is breathtaking, but unfortunately very few took the time to recognize where a lot of the music for the movie came from. Johan De Meij wrote his first symphony base on the books and then gave permission to Howard Shore to use material from the symphony for the movie. While Howard Shore did a remarkable job, it is important to listen to the source and is well worth your time and money.>>>
There’s not a single note in Shore’s The Lord of the Rings that was derived from De Meij. It is an entirely original composition.
Would suggest some research:
http://www.themusicofthelordoftheringsfilms.blogspot.com
I did not find your source to be credible. However, now that I have given it some thought I’m not certain about the extent to which the material is directly quoted, so I have revised the post.
I would have to strongly dissagree with “It is an entirely original composition”. Shore heard De Meij’s symphony before he wrote the film score. To say that Shore was not influenced by it is impossible. Being a fan of the movies and having helped perform the De Meij symphony, I find that the color, texture, melodic lines, orchestration, and programatic elements in both works to share very similar aesthetics.
Thank you for pointing out the mistake. I appreciate it.
I do not think it has to be apathy to listen to music purely for its enjoyment. Music for many people is an escape from intellectualism in our information-based country. It is a way to–in my definition–“melt your brain,” which can help some people refocus on life instead of being stuck on different issues in their life. Something like Pandora should not be considered a way to experience apathetic music. What about the people who have to have noise going on in order to concentrate? Is that wrong of them?
Liz, you raise a difficult question. It’s hard for me to respond well since I’m the kind of person that can’t have music going on when I’m working because my mind is so drawn to organized sound.
For some people passive listening can be a way to “reset”, but their intention for resetting must be to move towards Christ. I don’t have a problem with passive listening because music then functions more like a painting. It can be enjoyed intermittently if the listener decides to tune into it. During the times that they’re not paying attention to it, it can’t really be said that they’re listening to it and therefore none of this discourse really applies to the situation. However, there are going to be times where the person is listening, and during those times the music must be constructive.
So if music is within perseption but not being perceived, none of this really applies. If it is being perceived, particularly if the music is in the center of their attention, it must be constructive to them and their relationship with Christ.
One more detail that must be mentioned: God put us here to enjoy life; it’s one of our main purposes. Listen to things you enjoy that are pointless, but don’t let those things become more than they should be.
This topic can go quite a bit deeper. I may write a post based on this question.
Hey Caleb,
Keep up the writing aspect of your game. Who knows, maybe God is calling you to become an author as well,
. I really enjoy the things you have to say. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Jon.