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Published: April 21st 2011
The music business is big business! Many thousands through the years, have yearned to make a name for themselves. The Karaoke craze is testimony to the human propensity to perform. In the religious arena, denominations have capitalized upon this desire. Choirs and solos provide the perfect outlet for church-goers to “use their talents” for the Lord.
Some might not be able to “carry a tune in a bucket” but are confident that God has endowed them with an ability that ought not be buried. Namely, a gift to play a musical instrument. However, the New Testament is void of authority for solos, choirs, or instrumental music in worship. I recall teaching a man years ago in South San Francisco, who initially obeyed the gospel, but continued to have a struggle. He was an accomplished saxophonist. He wanted so dispiritedly to display his talent.
Recently we have been having studies with Merriam. She is an active member in a local Pentecostal group. She is diligent to attend their frequent choir practices where instrumental accompaniment is employed. We outlined clearly the distinction between the Mosaic covenant and the one inaugurated with our Lord’s blood (Matthew 26:28). We read about how both animal sacrifices and instruments of music were used during that prior era, but are both absent in the testament of our Lord. The next class she said she thought somewhere there were instruments in the New Testament; maybe in Revelation. Most likely, she had been talking with her “Pastor” but could not remember the exact location of the “proof” he or she had provided. I directed our attention to Revelation chapter five. I explained that this Book contains many pictures or symbols. In verse eight we began with the “Lamb.” I asked if this was a literal animal. I wrote on paper: Kondoo = Kristo (Lamb = Christ). Picture then reality. Next (in the same verse) we noted the “golden bowls full of incense.” The “picture” was incense, and I let her find the reality in the verse. Then I wrote: Incense = prayers. She had found the literal item. It then became obvious that the “harps” of the same verse were not literal! I believe the context seems to indicate the harps = singing (in verse 9). Oh how some grasp for anything in an attempt to find justification for actions already in progress!
God has endowed the human family with some degree of interest in music. All cultures seem to display musical expression. Singing “in the manner of the church” is certainly a pure form of expression. Our Creator has called for singing in praise to Him (Ephesians 5:19). The missionary is faced with endless challenges, and one in particular I will highlight here. We are to “sing with the spirit, and . . . sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15). But when the singing is in a different language, the “understanding” part proves tricky. To help alleviate this problem I have been using a limited edition interlinear song booklet. Rather than opting for a line by line translation where word order is changed, I am preparing an interlinear format so I can more easily learn the meaning of each word. Political correctness advocates would need to cull out a large number of these Swahili songs due to their forthright lyrics. I would like to share with you some interesting samples. Many of the songs are recounting Biblical events. The word order will certainly be strange to you - see if you can decipher the meaning!
Song # 25. MAISHA YA SIKU HIZI (Tito 1:16)
Life Of Days These (Titus 1:16)
1st stanza
Maisha ya siku hizi dunia giza,
Life of days these world dark,
waume na wanawake iepukeni,
men and women avoid,
vijana na wanawali angalieni,
boys and girls watch,
Mungu anayachukia yote ya giza
God hates all of darkness
Angalia matendo ni ya machukizo
Watch deeds are of abomination
epuka wana wa Mungu maovu hayo,
avoid children of God evils these,
wanakiri ya kwamba wanamjua Mungu
They confess that they know God
bali kwa matendo yao wanamkana
But by deeds their they deny him
“Angalia” madhehebu yote “hayo yatoka wapi ?”
“Watch” denominations all “those they come where ?”
“Yesu Kristo” alijenga kanisa moja duniani
“Jesus Christ” he built church one in world
Song # 26. SODOMA
Sodom
Excerpts:
(Sodoma, Sodoma) Sodoma na Gomora (kweli)
(Sodom, Sodom) Sodom and Gommorah (Truly)
Mungu alichukia aah !
God was angry aah !
dhambi walizofanya aah !
sins they did aah !
Wakachomwa moto.
They were burnt.
Watu wote wanyama wakateketea moto
People all animals were consumed fire
Kaskazini na kusini wakateketea
North and South were consumed
Moto ! Moto ! Moto !
Fire ! Fire ! Fire !
Maafa ya katisha yakaja walilia wakafa
Disaster terrible came they cried they died
Song # 28. SAUTI YA MUNGU BABA
Voice Of God Father
Excerpts:
Sauti ya Mungu Baba, inaniambia mimi,
Voice of God Father, it tells me me,
Nikifanyo dhambi moto uko mbele
If I do sin fire is ahead
Ukilewa Baba kwenye moto
If you’re drunkard Father into the fire
Ukiiba Mama kwenye moto
If you steal Mother into the fire
Ukiua Kaka kwenye moto
If you murder Brother into the fire
Uasherati Dada kwenye moto
Fornication Sister into the fire
Wa milele
everlasting
Walioamini watakuwa “kweli na”
Those who believed they will be “truly”
Wakiimba wimbo mtakatifu
Singing song holy
(Wamwimbia Bwana)
(Singing to the Lord)
(kwa furaha kubwa)
(with joy great)
2nd stanza:
Ni wakati wako ndugu wa kutubu dhambi zako
It’s time your brother to repent sins your
Ujue unangojewa na hukumu i karibu
Know you are waited by judgment it’s near
Utalia na kusaga meno.
You will cry and gnash teeth.
Song # 32. TANGAZA HABARI
Proclaim news
1st stanza:
Tangaza habari za Yesu “Bwana wako”
Proclaim news of Jesus “Lord your”
Tangaza usijali cho chote “Yesu yupo”
Proclaim don’t care anything “Jesus is there”
Mahali po pote tangaza ukombozi
Place any proclaim redemption
Wala usiogope kitu Yesu Yupo
Nor be afraid of thing Jesus is there
“Katika” shida vumilia kaza mwendo
In difficulties endure press the walk
“Ndipo” utakapoingia kwake Bwana
Then you will enter to the Lord
2nd stanza:
Tangaza hata ukiwa katika shida
Proclaim even you are in difficulties
Tangaza usiogope kitu “Yesu yupo”
Proclaim don’t be afraid of thing “Jesus is there”
3rd stanza:
Tangaza milimani hata mabondeni
Proclaim on hills even in valleys
Tangaza usiogope kitu “Yesu yupo”
Proclaim don’t afraid of thing “Jesus is there”
Thanks be to the Lamb who hath purchased with his blood, “men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9)! “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to him name” (Hebrews 13:15).
George Jensen 2011
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Gary Greene
non-member comment
You're right. Very un-PC, the way we need to be.