The previous weekend, I went to see a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.  Performing was noted film composer John Williams who conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert showcasing some of his own film scores and other music from motion pictures.  For those who aren’t aware, John Williams is the composer who created the memorable music from films such as the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman, and Harry Potter series, E.T., Jaws, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and hundreds of other films.  The music performed at the Hollywood Bowl concert was superb and the performance was top-notch.  While listening to all this wonderful music, it got me thinking – Where is all the great Christian music that rises to and exceeds the level of this film music?

   The fantastic music that I heard at the Hollywood Bowl was far more exciting, riveting, moving, and creative than most music being played in churches today.  Further, the craft, skill, and talent that go into the creation of such things as the music of Star Wars or Indiana Jones, seems to dwarf the same when compared to the vast majority of contemporary Christian music today.

   When fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones arrives on screen, he is greeted with a grand symphonic fanfare that conveys his supposed heroism and sense of adventure.  A full 90-piece orchestra blares forth a theme that is instantly memorable, yet has been expertly crafted to convey Indiana Jones’s attributes to the audience, while still retaining the elements of great pieces of music developed over the last 400 years. 

   By contrast, when our great and holy God is mentioned in church on Sunday morning, He is accompanied by a simplistic pop/rock tune, performed by musicians of limited talent forming a small ensemble of perhaps 2 guitars, an electric bass, and drum set.  The music is far from expertly crafted, instead relying on incorrect music theory passed down by poorly trained pop musicians over the last 50 years. 

   Paul Plew, professor and head of the music department at a Christian college in California states,

Because all humanity is created in the image of God, all humanity has some level of creative ability.  However, the redeemed should have the ability and desire to create higher-quality creative works than the unregenerate, because they know the Creator in a personal way.  They have the responsibility to represent their Father with the highest form of creativity and excellence.[1]

John Williams, as far as I know, is not a Christian, yet he produces highly creative, expertly crafted music for fictional characters.  A redeemed Christian should be able to come up with music to adequately describe God’s character that is something more than just an unsophisticated, poorly crafted pop/rock song.

   Even if none of us may be as musically gifted as Mr. Williams, should we still not strive to produce music that is at least on par with what is being created in the secular world?  We may never reach a perfected body here on Earth, but that does not preclude us from trying to better ourselves everyday and being the best servants we can towards our Father.  Should not God be represented as greater than Indiana Jones?    

    As a professional composer and arranger working in the music industry, I could go on to describe in great detail what would qualify something as a great piece of music in Western society.  For time, however, let me just say a great piece of music is one that is well crafted, using musical techniques and theory that have been honed and refined by the world’s best musicians over the course of the last 400 years.  Music that eschews time-tested techniques and practices, and instead is developed out of musical ignorance and contempt for musical geniuses that have come before, is not something that falls under the category of “great” music.

     One who disregards the physics of structural integrity, time-tested construction techniques, etc., and instead chooses to build a home out of glue and popsicle sticks, is not said to have a fine dwelling.  Can it be called a house?  Yes.  Is it the best built home that one can construct today?  Absolutely not.

     Undoubtedly, great, well-crafted music can be challenging to some who aren’t regularly exposed to it.  Nevertheless, I am sure most people reading this would prefer to go to a church where the pastor challenges them each week in their understanding of scripture.  By the same token, why should we not ask to be challenged by the music that is presented in corporate worship?  Should not the music be as sophisticated as the sermon that follows it?  What better way to prepare yourself and your mind to critically analyze scripture, than with music that rises to that same level and requires not that you be entertained, but instead requires much out of you and your ears?  Worship of a holy God should require nothing less.