Gospel music more powerful than the Gospel itself?

Question

The other day, on Christian TV, a Gospel music musician said that Gospel music, for many, was more powerful than the Gospel itself.

Well written Gospel music led many to listen to the regular Gospel.

Is that Biblical or is that blasphemy so to speak since there are no known recorded songs of Jesus Christ singing Elvis Presley/Johnny Cash Gospel songs, are there?

Answer 1

It is not more powerful then the Bible.But for some reason people will listen to a Gospel song before they will Bible reading.My husband was in Gospel music before he retired.He also pastored a church for 39 year in Charlotte NCHe was with The Rangers Trio back in the 50's.So I got to meet a lot of gospel singers like Hovie and Bill Gaither.You have to use your own judgement on what singer you listen to.Just like Preachers some don't go by the word 100 percent..

Answer 2

The scriptures say that all of creation sings God's praise. I don't believe it's blasphemy to say the music is more powerful because the music holds the message.

No matter the language words have a rhythm. Without it they make little sense. Praise & worship are like music. Music sways us in ways that words never can. There are several songs, both secular & christian, that the music moves me closer to God. In the 70s we used to take scripture & put it to music.

I know of several people who drew closer to the Lord because of the music and it led them to want to know Him more personally.

Scriptures say God inhabits the praise of His people and where He is there is healing for both body & soul. Even prayer tends to have a rhythm. Music is little more than language manipulated. That's why ac capella music can move you.

Think of a small child. The parents soothe him in a sing song voice. If he's sick or sleepy they sing soft lullabyes. He's comforted and begins to rest. If they spoke to him in a normal voice there would be some comfort. But the sing song voice gets his attention. The lullabyes ease him into rest.

Recorded music didn't come around until the 1800s & Jesus died long before any tape recorded music. But He attended temple worship which has mostly singing including scriptures. Why would it be sung if words alone were more powerful?

Psalms is the longest book of the Bible & it's a collection of songs. Though we don't know the music they were sang to most of the needs & answers to prayer are contained within. It mattered enough God chose to have men keep them to inspire us.

God knows our heart and when our focus is on Him, He meets our every need. We are no more fully focused on Him than when we sing. Prayer & preaching brings us closer to God. Worship & praise bring Him closer to us. So in reality music is more powerful.

The definition of the gospel is good news. Ever hear someone simply tell it w/o some excitement that borders on musical?

Answer 3

I think the musician may be right, in some respects -- for the reason you give in your second paragraph. Music is both intellectually and emotionally, and even physically involving, whereas reading or hearing is primarily intellectual. Music speaks to many people where preaching does not. But gospel music is a communications medium, a way of poetically and melodically translating the gospel; it is not an end in itself.

Answer 4

Well I think this person didn't think about what he was saying, cause it came out wrong. Gospel music, from what I understand, was written to glorify the Gospel. So singing praise can not be greater than the Praised One. It can be thought of more of a reflection of His greatness.

And certainly one who does not know the Gospel could hear Gospel music and become curious and be saved!

Answer 5

Depends on the kind of Gospel music.
The yelling variety doesn't touch my soul, what with all the yelling, stomping, and lack of background music that oughta be arranged in such a way that sounds ethereal and the music emanates in your soul. (Most Praise and Worship/Contemporary Christian music) is arranged that way
Such is usually not the case in the churches I've been to. :(

But I have found some songs that had a choir section in them that were SECULAR (i.e. Madonna's Like A Prayer and I Wanna Know What Love Is by Foreigner)
The churches I've been to ought to combine Gospel (like the aforementioned songs) with a fusion of Pop, R&B, Soul and/or Rock
and that would sound REALLY REALLY good. LOL

With that said, the music seems to have a better effect than the Book itself, cuz I tend to listen to more music than read the Bible.

Answer 6

Music is a powerful medium. Music that tells the gospel is better than listening to someone preach the gospel to some.

Answer 7

A lot of gospel music is inspired by events or feelings the writer has. It is inspriational and moving bc you hear what other people are feeling. It is definatly sometimes more inspirtational to hear the story of someone than the Bible. Not bc the Bible isnt interesting and inspirational, but bc the BIble was written so long ago. Gospel songs are being written today by people facing the same problems we are.

Its not blasphemous, its just people expressing their faith and their stories in song rather than spoken word.

Answer 8

Nothing is more powerful than the Gospel....strange that would be said. Gospel music is a great avenue to reach those who will not say go to church or listen to anyone about Christ.

Answer 9

Elvis Presley/Johnny Cash, I wouldn't call their music Christian.

99% of the so-called "Christian TV" stations in this country are anything but Christian. What was the name of this Christian television channel?

If you want to hear 100% Christian music, click on the website below.

Up Date:

xxearthf... stated, "Gospel music, can be found in any type of music. From punk rock, to death metal"

Could you show us from the Bible and the Bible alone that your comment is true?

Christ-honoring, Christian Music never sounds like the worlds music.

Answer 10

Unfortunately I would have to agree with what the late great musician, Rich Mullens once said...
"More people had memorized the lyrics to his songs, than had memorized the Gospel."
How sad!
Music is a very powerful media...as it affects the emotions of humanity.
But all in all...when everything is "said and done"... the TRUTH is always more powerful than anything!

The Gospel (Holy Word of God) is TRUTH!