"All of it is God’s …unless it is evil"

An interview with David Clifton

For David Clifton, Artist in Residence at Wycliffe Hall, music is both a calling and a gift from God. Here, he explains why he’s so passionate about music’s power to inspire and deepen faith:

Our singing in church worship calls us to live differently. As with our preaching, teaching, ministry and prayer, it invites us to live in the light of Christ’s calling... to be people of peace, love, compassion, justice. It manifests worship in spirit and truth and we experience the overtures of love God makes to us; His desire to put right the world’s wrongs.

Music illuminates and invites the possibility of change. Spiritual revelation, profound encounters, and experiences of eternal dimensions are often initiated by powerful music. It is an avenue for presenting life as it is, and life as it was always meant to be - and the potential for change. As with the overtures of God's love, some people respond, and others do not. (Yet…!)

Music, even more than other art forms, has a profound power to move us. The best music gives voice to deep feelings, enhances celebration, brings joy; it expresses the sadness and pain that can be difficult to verbalise, communicate and acknowledge. For example, listen to the song ‘The Living Years’ by Mike and the Mechanics.

Lives everywhere are frequently transformed by music and song. Music comforts, consoles and touches our emotions. (Think of ‘Nimrod’ from Elgar’s Enigma Variations…). It can restore hearts that have become too afraid to love, because of rejection or grief. It can heal hurts and provide solace. Nick Cave’s recent music is in this category (for example his album 'Wild God').

When we worship in song, it is a reciprocal experience - and we also make space for Him to speak to us. He may speak to others through us. We offer grateful worship in music as an overflow of our lives. (Romans 12:1&2)

There is power in the shared experience of music, both in the context of a performance, and church worship. Ephesians 5:19 reminds us that we sing to God and to one another. There is a mutual partnership, respect and yielding to vision when we sing together. Melody, harmony, rhythm, structure and poetry all contribute to this dynamic.

Music-making creates and restores community (…common unity!). As with the call to follow Jesus, communal music-making requires our personal submission and contribution to a greater purpose. Even if simply to enjoy the experience of singing together, there is a shared intention that unites us.

The composition of devotional music is the highest calling. As with all excellent art, it’s a creative way of promoting beauty and love, and confronting evil. Excellence in composition and theological accuracy is vital, because songs, hymns and musical works are formative. Music at its best inspires our imaginations, pointing the way to the manner in which life on earth was intended to be lived. It looks beyond the temporary towards God’s perfect future. Quality matters!

Christianity, and the inspiration of Jesus, has throughout history been a catalyst for great art - it needs to re-emerge as a driving force for originality and beauty, not only in music but also in the wider arts.

It’s a sobering thought that more people will see Coldplay’s ‘Music of The Spheres’ tours than have attended the UK’s Anglican churches in the past 10 years. Yet Bands such as Coldplay frequently draw upon Christian themes and imagery. Rock, pop and dance lyrics are a dynamic vehicle for communicating concepts and spiritual truths; words we might not feel bold enough to speak, yet might perhaps be steps on the road to faith.

It doesn’t all happen in church! I’ve met non-believers who have begun their journey to faith during the singing of worship music in church, and also in U2 concerts. In fact, when Christian communities become only inward looking, insular and boundaried, that’s when we lose our missional focus. Jesus and his followers worshipped at the temple but he also sent his disciples out. Anglican priest Jack Heaslip, U2’s pastor and friend, travelled with the band, attended their prayer and Bible studies, and prayed during sound-checks for the audience that would soon arrive.

All of it is God’s …unless it is evil!. Rock, pop, dance, folk and classical music can be as much infused by the Holy Spirit, the power and presence of God, as specifically devotional church music - sometimes, more so. Unless, of course, the lyrics promote behaviour, concepts or ideas that contradict the teaching of Jesus.

‘Art needs no justification’ - as Hans Rookmaaker emphasises in his little book bearing this title. Art can be playful and fun. Much of pop, dance, rock, jazz and folk music is celebratory. Life is an abundant joy, amidst the sorrows and the times of learning.