ÿWPC g´qý»-•Àä›fæ¼ ž ÜžœMM×ÀúÆ–þî_ÒÂjã÷‹ÎbIìô0&í¤«a¥MP¬WË h,8„²·zsu/4柿 `’¼–7­ëyá¤{¥ÁcØ0fuO5ðâ–NÙÙ'‚Ï\³¹/bô}¤.•8#Ç+áçP?°Ö-m5_'ì: t\L$ÔЉý+¾{/®X!¿î_/™Ö8‹ëšÌ5ƒ›Åæd¥K1<u檴(‹IúÀi üNm|ö‚‹°EØQÄO‰ðŽŽtטšC=§ó{‹mqk–uÝüYu4WÍ#19y+¥ýÄ6GSŸ!#ÉÎU%N— %å 0(ëM 0; 0†R 0jØ 0dB 0a¦ 0a 0^h 0\Æ 0\" 0\~ 0ºÚ 0½” 0?Q 0ù 01‰ 01º 0¶ëU *¡U->Ë( ^ 1w=4AUd mfN}˜Samsung CLP-510 SeriesÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0(ÈhH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡:ÿÿ8Body Single6Ÿ°ÿÿ4Outline 1Ó , ÓÓ8.Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!8Óò òÔ‡¼¼¼ÔÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5Óó óÔ‡XXXÔÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ6ƒ°ÿÿ4Outline 2Ó X ÓÓ5+4 Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5Óò òÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5Óó óÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ6€­ÿÿ4Outline 3Ó „ ÓÓ5+` Ü` Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ6}­ÿÿ4Outline 4Ó ° ÓÓ2(Œ ÜŒ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!2ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ6}­ÿÿ4Outline 5Ó Ü ÓÓ2(¸ ܸ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!2ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ6z­ÿÿ4Outline 6Ó  ÓÓ/%ä Üä <”ìDœôL¤ü!/ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ4z­ÿÿ2Outline7Ó  ÓÓ/%ä Üä <”ìDœôL¤ü!/ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ4z­ÿÿ2Outline8Ó  ÓÓ/%ä Üä <”ìDœôL¤ü!/ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ4z­ÿÿ2Outline9Ó  ÓÓ/%ä Üä <”ìDœôL¤ü!/ÓÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ4DAÿÿ2Bullet 1Ó à ÓÓ8.¼Ü¼4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!8ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5Ó:AAÿÿ8Number ListÓ X ÓÓ5+4 Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5Ó2ÿÿ0Subheadò òòòó óóó.[oÿÿ,Titleò òÔ‡„„„ÔÔ?‡%ä2¼A`Arial?Ôó óÔ‡XXXÔÔS‡ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔ0ÿÿ.Header0ÿÿ.Footer0DAÿÿ.BulletÓ ð ÓÓ8.ÌÜÌ4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!8ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!5Ó%ä2¼A`Arialô\  `&Times New Roman1r¯6î èq’6.bk13|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ  ÔòòÔ‡„ßá„XXÔÔ‡„ßá„„„ßáÔÓ  ÓóóÑ8€¨ìXXdìdÈ8ÑThe€Beauty€of€God€ó óÔ#†X¨ìX„„ßá=#ÔÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì\#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÐ ° ÐÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!°œX?ÓbyÐ ` ÐPastor€Mike€HardingÐ üL ÐÌÓ  Óà  àA€Rembrandt€who€creates€a€work€of€art€deserves€to€hear€the€response€from€the€personÐ Ô$ Ðwho€gazes€upon€it,€"That€is€beautiful!"€€The€eternal€God€who€is€infinite€in€all€His€perfectionsÐ À  Ðdeserves€to€hear€the€response€from€the€believer€who€contemplates€Him,€"God€is€beautiful!"€€IfÐ ¬ ü ÐGod€is€invisible,€how€then€can€He€be€considered€beautiful?€€Have€you€ever€heard€of€a€beautifulÐ ˜ è Ðsymphony?€€Beauty€does€not€always€refer€simply€to€the€physical,€but€also€to€that€which€isÐ „ Ô Ðaudible.€€Ð p À  ÐÌà  àBeauty€also€transcends€that€which€is€visible€and€audible.€€Miquel€Najdorf,€the€PolishÐ H˜  Ðchess€grand€master,€received€a€brilliancy€prize€for€a€chess€victory€which€has€come€to€be€known€asÐ 4„  Ðthe€'Polish€immortal.'€€A€relatively€short€game€(22€moves),€containing€diverse€combinations€ofÐ  p  Ðplay€with€seven€sacrifices€by€Najdorf€leading€through€a€series€of€forced€moves€on€his€opponent'sÐ  \  Ðpart,€culminated€in€a€crushing€checkmate.€€This€particular€chess€game€is€truly€beautiful„„beautifulÐ øH Ðnot€because€of€the€shape€or€color€of€the€pieces€used,€but€because€of€the€logical€coherence€andÐ ä4 Ðvariety€in€the€combination€of€force,€time,€and€space€within€the€principles€of€the€game€of€chess.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThis€leads€to€the€question,€What€is€the€essence€of€beauty?€€Relativism€is€the€generalÐ ¨ø Ðmalaise€of€our€time.€€An€increasing€percentage€of€the€so„called€intelligentsia€holds€that€there€areÐ ”ä Ðno€absolutes.€€Churches€have€also€been€seduced€by€the€same€unbiblical€thinking.€€€They€haveÐ €Ð Ðaccepted€the€modernist€position€that€beauty€is€purely€a€matter€of€preference.€€They€maintain€thatÐ l¼ Ð"beauty€is€in€the€eye€of€the€beholder;"€€this€is€the€emotional€or€psychological€theory€which€locatesÐ X¨ Ðbeauty€in€the€response€of€the€perceiver.€€Beauty,€however,€is€a€force€with€which€to€be€reckoned.€Ð D” ÐEven€the€unbelieving€opera€lover€may€unconsciously€know€something€of€the€profundity€of€God'sÐ 0€ Ðbeauty€through€common€grace€that€the€professing€Christian€remains€ignorant€of:€€namely,€thatÐ l Ðbeauty€is€a€significant€element€of€God's€nature€and€creation;€and€that€beauty€is€a€reflection€of€theÐ X Ðcharacter€and€ways€of€God€which€can€be€objectively€evaluated.€€As€such,€a€God„centered€view€ofÐ ôD Ðbeauty€locates€beauty€in€certain€qualities€inherent€in€realities.Ð à0 ÐÌà  àIn€a€Christian€view€of€aesthetics,€three€qualities€are€usually€identified:€€(1)€€unity€orÐ ¸! Ðintegrity„„a€well„knit€internal€unity,€completeness,€or€whole;€(2)€proportion€or€harmony„„anÐ ¤"ô  Ðorderly,€harmonious€relation€and€arrangement€of€the€parts;€(3)€splendor„„a€definite€capacity€forÐ #à! Ðmanifesting€its€pattern.€€ò òòòThese€three€qualities€result€inòò€unity€without€monotonyóó€and€òòvarietyÐ |$Ì" Ðwithout€chaos.ó óóóóó€€God,€in€His€person,€perfections,€purpose,€and€performance,€exemplifies€theÐ h%¸ # Ðqualities€of€unity,€proportion,€and€splendor.€€The€triune€God€is€indeed€the€supreme€example€ofÐ T&¤!$ Ðunity€without€monotony€and€variety€without€chaos.Ð @'"% ÐÌÌÌà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÐ Ü+,'* ЇÔx(x°ÔÓ xÓÓ  Óò òThe€Biblical€Reality€of€God's€Beautyó óÐ (x ÐÓ xÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÓ  Óà  àThe€Word€of€God€uses€a€rich€variety€of€words€€to€express€the€concept€of€the€beauty€ofÐ xÈ ÐGod:€€beauty,€excellency,€glory,€honor,€and€majesty.€€Ð d´ ÐÓíÓÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìŽ#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÓ <ÓÓ  Óà8  àÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì-#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔJob€40:9„10€€Hast€thou€an€arm€like€God?€or€canst€thou€thunder€with€a€voice€like€him?Ð < Œ Ð10€Deck€thyself€now€with€majesty€and€excellency;€and€array€thyself€with€glory€andÐ ( x Ðbeauty.Ð dÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àÓ <<ÓPsa€8:1€€A€Psalm€of€David.€O€LORD€our€Lord,€how€excellent€is€thy€name€in€all€theÐ d´  Ðearth!€who€hast€set€thy€glory€above€the€heavens.Ó ìA<ìA<ÓÐP  Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àPsa€8:9€€O€LORD€our€Lord,€how€excellent€is€thy€name€in€all€the€earth!Ó G<G<ÓРð Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àÓ ìA<ìA<ÓPsa€45:2„4€€Thou€art€fairer€than€the€children€of€men:€grace€is€poured€into€thy€lips:Ð ð@ Ðtherefore€God€hath€blessed€thee€for€ever.€3€Gird€thy€sword€upon€thy€thigh,€O€mostÐ Ü, Ðmighty,€with€thy€glory€and€thy€majesty.€4€And€in€thy€majesty€ride€prosperouslyÐ È Ðbecause€of€truth€and€meekness€and€righteousness;€and€thy€right€hand€shall€teach€theeÐ ´ Ðterrible€things.Ó G<G<ÓРðÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àÓ ìA<ìA<ÓPsa€145:5€€I€will€speak€of€the€glorious€honour€of€thy€majesty,€and€of€thy€wondrousÐ ð@ Ðworks.Ó G<G<ÓÐÜ,Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àÓ ìA<ìA<ÓPsa€145:10„12€€All€thy€works€shall€praise€thee,€O€LORD;€and€thy€saints€shall€blessÐ ,| Ðthee.€11€They€shall€speak€of€the€glory€of€thy€kingdom,€and€talk€of€thy€power;€12€ToÐ h Ðmake€known€to€the€sons€of€men€his€mighty€acts,€and€the€glorious€majesty€of€hisÐ T Ðkingdom.Ó G<G<ÓÐð@Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àÓ ìA<ìA<ÓIsa€24:14€€They€shall€lift€up€their€voice,€they€shall€sing€for€the€majesty€of€the€LORD,Ð @" Ðthey€shall€cry€aloud€from€the€sea.Ó G<G<ÓÐ,#|Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àIsa€26:10€€Let€favour€be€showed€to€the€wicked,€yet€will€he€not€learn€righteousness:Ð |%Ì  Ðin€the€land€of€uprightness€will€he€deal€unjustly,€and€will€not€behold€the€majesty€of€theÐ h&¸!  ÐLORD.ÐT'¤"!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àÓ ìA<ìA<ÓIsa€35:2€€It€shall€blossom€abundantly,€and€rejoice€even€with€joy€and€singing:€the€gloryÐ ¤)ô$# Ðof€Lebanon€shall€be€given€unto€it,€the€excellency€of€Carmel€and€Sharon,€they€shallÐ *à%$ Ðsee€the€glory€of€the€LORD,€and€the€excellency€of€our€God.Ó G<G<ÓÐ|+Ì&%Ð Ð  Їà8  àZec€9:16„17€€And€the€LORD€their€God€shall€save€them€in€that€day€as€the€flock€of€hisÐ ° Ðpeople:€for€they€shall€be€as€the€stones€of€a€crown,€lifted€up€as€an€ensign€upon€hisÐ œì Ðland.€17€For€how€great€is€his€goodness,€and€how€great€is€his€beauty!€Ó ìA<ìA<ÓЈØÐ Ð  ÐÓ G<ÓÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìÜ#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÓ <ÓÓ  Óà  àAnything€not€like€God€is€ungodly!€€Godððs€beauty€is€inherently€connected€to€His€character,Ð œì Ðname,€excellency,€and€majesty.€€The€whole€of€Godððs€unchanging€attributes€forms€the€objectiveÐ ˆ Ø Ðstandard€€and€truth€deposit€by€which€all€things€claiming€to€be€beautiful€can€be€evaluated.€€WhenÐ t Ä Ðone€refers€to€ð ðbeautifulðð€music,€immediately€the€infinite,€unchanging€attributes€of€God€must€beÐ ` ° Ðcalled€to€mind.€€Such€an€approach€is€in€total€opposition€to€the€self„autonomous€mindset€of€theÐ L œ ÐNew€Ó ìA<ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìÞ#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓEvangelicalism€as€exemplified€by€Harold€Best,€Dean€of€Music€at€Wheaton€College,€whoÐ 8 ˆ  Ðsaid€in€his€book,€€òòMusic€Through€The€Eyes€of€Faithóó,€that€ð ðthere€is€nothing€un„Christian€or€anti„Ð $t  ÐChristian€about€any€kind€of€music€(p.€52)."€He€later€reinforced€that€idea€stating,€"The€Christian€isÐ `  Ðfree€of€the€moral€nothingness€of€music€€.€.€.€€(p.€59).ððÐ üL  ÐÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÓ <ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìî!#Ôà  àContrary€to€Best,€we€are€to€sing€unto€the€Lord€in€the€beauty€of€holiness€rather€thanÐ Ô$  Ðsurrender€to€any€or€all€artistic€whims€produced€by€those€whose€have€abandoned€the€principles€ofÐ À Ðcommon€grace€and€have€allowed€corruption€to€influence€their€artistic€creations.€€The€ScripturesÐ ¬ü Ðare€clear€concerning€this€point:Ð ˜è ÐÌÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?Óà8  àÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì&#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔ2€Chr€20:21€(KJV)€€And€when€he€had€consulted€with€the€people,€he€appointedÐ è8 Ðsingers€unto€the€LORD,€and€that€should€praise€the€beauty€of€holinessÐÔ$Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì”&#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔPsa€7:17€(KJV)€€I€will€praise€the€LORD€according€to€his€righteousness:€and€willÐ $t Ðsing€praise€to€the€name€of€the€LORD€most€high.Ð`Ð Ð  ÐÌÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì¥'#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ ìA<ìA<Óà8  àPsa€138:5€(KJV)€€Yea,€they€shall€sing€in€the€ways€of€the€LORD:€for€great€is€theÐ `° Ðglory€of€the€LORD.Ó ÍL<ÍL<ÓÐLœÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì™(#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔ1€Chr€16:29€(KJV)€€Give€unto€the€LORD€the€glory€due€unto€his€name:€bring€anÐ œ ì Ðoffering,€and€come€before€him:€worship€the€LORD€in€the€beauty€of€holiness.Ј!ØÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìµ)#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔPsa€27:4€(KJV)€€One€thing€have€I€desired€of€the€LORD,€that€will€I€seek€after;€that€IÐ Ø#( Ðmay€dwell€in€the€house€of€the€LORD€all€the€days€of€my€life,€to€behold€the€beautyÐ Ä$  Ðof€the€LORD,€and€to€inquire€in€his€temple.а%!!Ð Ð  ÐÌÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìÍ*#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ ìA<ìA<Óà8  àPsa€45:11€(KJV)€€So€shall€the€King€greatly€desire€thy€beauty:€for€he€is€thy€Lord;Ð (P## Ðand€worship€thou€him.Ó ÍL<ÍL<ÓÐì(<$$Ð Ð  ÐÌÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì',#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ ìA<ìA<Óà8  àPsa€29:2€(KJV)€€Give€unto€the€LORD€the€glory€due€unto€his€name;€worship€theÐ <+Œ&& ÐLORD€in€the€beauty€of€holiness.Ó ÍL<ÍL<ÓÐ(,x''Ð Ð  ЇÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì<-#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ ìA<ìA<Óà8  àPsa€50:2€(KJV)€€Out€of€Zion,€the€perfection€of€beauty,€God€hath€shined.Ó ÍL<ÍL<ÓаРР ÐÌÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìU.#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ ìA<ìA<Óà8  àIsa€28:5€(KJV)€€In€that€day€shall€the€LORD€of€hosts€be€for€a€crown€of€glory,€andÐ P Ðfor€a€diadem€of€beauty,€unto€the€residue€of€his€people,Ó ÍL<ÍL<ÓÐì<Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì6/#ÔÓ ìA<ÓÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÝ‚ÿÿÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿÀ0ÝÝ  Ý݃ÿÿÀ0Û0ÝŒÌŒÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿ1ÝÝ  Ýà  àWe€are€to€sing€unto€the€Lord€in€the€beauty€of€holiness.€€Holiness€literally€means€"to€cut,Ð  P Ðto€separate,€distinct,€apartnessðð€or€set€apart€as€sacred€by€God's€presence€€(Brown,€Driver,€andÐ ì < ÐBriggs,€€p.€871).€€€Holiness€Ô‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔrefers€to€the€majestic€transcendence€of€God€by€emphasizing€theÐ Ø ( ÐCreator/creature€distinction.€€€Second,€€it€means€that€God€€is€separate€in€His€being€from€all€that€isÐ Ä  Ðevil,€impure,€and€defiled.€€Godððs€own€nature€defines€beauty€rather€than€mere€human€subjectivity,Ô#†X¨ìXXX¨ìh2#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÐ °  Ðand€there€is€no€trace€of€darkness€in€Him.€€€Holiness€is€God's€self„affirming€purity.€€NothingÐ œì  Ðoutside€of€God,€Himself,€can€define€it.€€In€the€sheer€weight€(glory)€of€God's€almighty€presenceÐ ˆØ  Ðmen€are€commanded€to€worship€God€in€the€majestic€beauty€of€holiness.€€Beauty€is€defined€byÐ tÄ  ÐGod's€being.€€Therefore,€in€an€ultimate€sense,€beauty€is€not€simply€in€the€mind€of€the€beholder.€€ItÐ `°  Ðexists€first€and€foremost€in€the€mind€of€God.€€€Man,€having€been€created€in€theÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìÚ3#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔ€image€of€God,€isÐ Lœ  Ðobligated€by€his€creaturely€existence€(òòvis€aðð€vis€óóð ðCreatorðð)€to€reflect€the€beauty€of€God€inÐ 8ˆ Ðholiness,€righteousness,€wisdom€(the€skilled€application€of€€God's€truth),€and€knowledge.€€€BeautyÐ $t Ðmust€be€€defined€by€the€objective€character€of€God€and€not€by€the€subjective€impulses€ofÐ ` Ðunregenerate€men€who€have€resisted€the€common€grace€of€God.݃ÿÿ1:1݌РüL ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿk8ÝÝ  Ý݃ÿÿk8†8ÝŒÌŒÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿÊ8ÝÝ  Ýà  àAs€a€result,€Christian€music€should€not€blur€the€Creator/creature€distinction€byÐ Ô$ Ðcommunicating€undue€familiarity€with€or€an€inaccurate€description€of€God€in€the€lyrical€text.€Ð À ÐNeither€should€sacred€music€enhance€an€irreverent,€sensual€mood€or€atmosphere€by€means€of€theÐ ¬ü Ðthe€musical€composition€and€performance€style.€€Furthermore,€Christian€music€should€be€freeÐ ˜è Ðfrom€all€aspects€of€indecency€and€evil€in€its€cultural€associations€(Rom€12:1„2).݃ÿÿÊ8å8݌Р„Ô ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  à€The€composition€and€performance€of€Christian€music€must€also€be€righteous.Ð \¬ ÐRighteousness€relates€to€God's€holiness€in€that€righteousness€corresponds€to€that€which€is€right.€Ð H˜ ÐRighteousness€entails€rectitude€of€action€and€disposition€according€to€the€perfect€€standard€ofÐ 4„ Ðholiness.€€€Righteous€music€operates€according€to€the€standard€of€holiness€„€God's€self„affirmingÐ  p Ðpurity€which€sets€Himself€above€His€creation€and€apart€from€anything€that€defiles.€€There€must€beÐ  !\ Ðrighteousness€in€musical€text,€composition,€and€performance€style€by€operating€according€to€theÐ ø!H Ðperfect€standard€of€God's€being€and€the€objective,€timeless€principles€of€God's€Word€which€areÐ ä"4  Ðrooted€in€the€unchanging,€absolute€character€of€God.€€Man€cannot€unilaterally€operate€on€his€ownÐ Ð# ! Ðself„autonomy€without€being€an€affront€to€his€Creator.€€€To€do€so€is€sheer,€unmitigated€idolatry.€€Ð ¼$ " ÐTrue€beauty,€which€is€the€basis€for€all€the€arts,€exists€originally€and€eternally€in€the€mind€andÐ ¨%ø # Ðnature€of€God.€€Our€concept€of€beauty€must€correspond€to€God's€mind€which€we€can€know€onlyÐ ”&ä!$ Ðthrough€Scripture€and€with€such€a€mind€properly€interpret€the€remnants€of€His€beauty€which€areÐ €'Ð"% Ðobservable€in€a€cursed€creation.€€€What€is€beautiful?€€Whatever€God€has€said€is€beautiful,€couldÐ l(¼#& Ðsay€is€beautiful,€or€would€say€is€beautiful€according€to€the€unchanging€principles€of€His€Word.Ð X)¨$' ÐGod€commands€us€to€mirror€His€holiness€and€perfection€in€all€we€do.€€To€abandon€such€aÐ D*”%( Ðstandard€only€invites€the€severe€displeasure€of€God€and€the€religious€deception€of€man.€€HolinessÐ 0+€&) Ðas€an€integral€part€of€beauty€is€the€standard€for€sacred€music.€€€Righteousness€is€theÐ ,l'* Ðcorresponding€action€which€much€conform€to€the€standard.€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àEven€the€world€in€common€grace€recognizes€that€manððs€ability€to€communicate€throughÐ ˆØ Ðartistic€endeavor€is€unique€among€the€living€creatures€on€this€planet.€€NeurologistÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìN6#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔ,€FrankWilson,Ð tÄ Ðin€his€book,€òòTone€Deaf€&€All€thumbs?óó€said,€"We€are€natural€musicians€because€of€the€specialÐ `° Ðnature€of€the€human€brain.€.€.€.€Our€responsiveness€to€music,€however,€like€our€responsiveness€toÐ L œ Ðlanguage€(is)€.€.€.€unique€in€the€animal€kingdom"€€(pp.€2,€68).€€Though€he€does€not€recognize€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðtheological€reason€for€this€unique€ability€to€artistically€communicate€and€speak,€Wilson€hasÐ $ t Ðlearned€something€of€God€through€natural€revelation.€€God€is€an€artistic€being€Who€is€the€sourceÐ  ` Ðof€true€and€perfect€beauty.€€Man€is€made€in€the€image€of€God.€€By€virtue€of€both€the€common€andÐ ü L  Ðsaving€grace€of€God,€man€is€able€to€replicate€the€beauty€of€God€on€a€finite€level.€€However,Ð è 8  Ðbecause€man€is€also€a€totally€depraved€being,€more€often€than€not€he€uses€his€creative€gifts€fromÐ Ô$  ÐGod€in€a€corrupt€manner€to€produce€art€which€reflects€the€works€of€the€sinful€nature€rather€thanÐ À  Ðthe€fruit€of€the€Spirit€(Gal€5).€€Professing€believers€who€compose€or€perform€ð ðuglyðð€orÐ ¬ü  Ðinappropriate€artistic€expressions€are€either€self„deceived€concerning€their€relationship€withÐ ˜è  ÐChrist,€ignorant€of€Satanððs€devices,€or€temporarily€walking€in€the€flesh.€Ó <ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì6D#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÐ „Ô  ÐÌà  àGod€so€identifies€Himself€with€beauty€that€He€declares€Himself€to€be€our€new€song.€TheÐ Ô$ Ðpsalmist€and€Isaiah€both€affirm€this€idea.€Ô#†X¨ìXXX¨ìûI#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÐ À ÐÓ ìA<ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìõJ#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÓ  ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìbK#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ <Óà0  àà ° àà8(#(#àPsa€118:14€€The€LORD€is€my€strength€and€song,€and€is€become€my€salvation.Ó ÍL<ÍL<ÓÐÔ$(#(# ÐÌÓ ìA<ìA<Óà8  àIsa€12:2€€Behold,€God€is€my€salvation;€I€will€trust,€and€not€be€afraid:€for€the€LORDÐ $t ÐJEHOVAH€is€my€strength€and€my€song;€he€also€is€become€my€salvation.Ô#†X¨ìXXX¨ìðK#ÔÓ ÍL<ÍL<ÓÔ‡X:ŠXXX¨ìÔÐ`Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ ìA<ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX:Š×M#ÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔà  àWhen€we€sing€and€play€our€instruments€for€the€Lord,€we€are€to€image,€mirror,€and€reflect€toÐ Zª Ðour€listeners€who€God€is€and€what€He€is€like.Ô#†X¨ìXXX¨ìŽN#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÐ F– ÐÌÌÌÌÌÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÔx2%‚ º$ ÔÓ xÓÓ  Óò òThe€Historical€Recognition€of€God's€Beautyó óÐ 2%‚ ! ÐÓPÓÓ }sxÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìyO#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔà  àCertainly€one€of€the€distinguishing€marks€of€Jonathan€Edwards'€theology€in€relation€to€theÐ –&æ!" Ðwhole€thought€of€Christian€history€is€his€radical€elevation€of€beauty€to€preeminence€among€the€divineÐ ‚'Ò"# Ðperfections.€€Augustine,€however,€reflected€on€the€nature€of€beauty€centuries€earlier.€In€hisÐ n(¾#$ ÐòòConfessionsóó€he€said:€€Ð Z)ª$% ÐÌà0  àToo€late€I€have€loved€you,€O€Beauty,€so€ancient€and€so€new,€too€late€have€I€loved€you.€Ð 2+‚&' ÐBehold,€you€were€within€me,€while€I€was€outside:€€it€was€there€that€I€sought€you,€and,€as€aÐ ,n'( Ðdeformed€creature,€rushed€headlong€upon€these€things€of€beauty€which€you€have€made.€TheyÐ ° Ðkept€me€far€from€you,€those€fair€things€which,€if€they€were€not€in€you,€would€not€exist€at€all.Мì(#(# ÐÌà  à€Beauty€is€the€perfection€of€God's€divine€being.€€God€alone€is€the€essence€of€beauty€in€anÐ tÄ Ðoriginal€and€exclusive€sense.€€Beauty€does€not€and€cannot€exist€as€an€entity€outside€of€God.€€GodÐ `° Ðdoes€not€conform€to€beauty.€€Rather,€beauty€conforms€to€God,€because€apart€from€God€beauty€hasÐ L œ Ðno€existence.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÝ‚ÿÿÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ÿÿÿÉUÝÝ  Ý݃ÿÿÉUäUÝŒÌŒÝ  ÝÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì·P#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔà  àJonathan€Edwards€expanded€greatly€upon€the€thoughts€of€Augustine.€€For€Edwards,€beautyÐ  ` Ðis€not€only€that€"wherein€the€truest€idea€of€divinity€does€consist,"€but€also€"it€is€first€among€theÐ ü L  Ðperfections€of€God;€it€constitutes€in€itself€the€perfection€of€all€the€other€divine€attributes"€€(òòReligiousÐ è 8  ÐAffectionsóó,€p.€298).€He€argued€that€the€source€of€beauty€is€God€Himself.€€God's€beauty€is€seen€in€HisÐ Ô$  Ðmoral€virtue€and€in€the€agreement€(unity)€of€the€Godhead.€€Edwards€said€these€qualities€transfer€toÐ À  Ðinanimate€things€in€a€òòsecondary€beautyóó,€consisting€in€"mutual€consent€and€agreement€of€differentÐ ¬ü  Ðthings,€in€form,€manner,€quality,€and€visible€end€or€design;€called€by€the€various€names€of€regularity,Ð ˜è  Ðorder,€uniformity,€symmetry,€proportion,€harmony."€€Examples€of€such€are€"the€mutual€agreementÐ „Ô  Ðof€the€various€sides€of€a€square,€the€beautiful€proportion€of€the€various€parts€of€the€human€body,€andÐ pÀ Ð.€.€.€the€òòsweet€mutual€consent€and€agreementóó€of€the€various€notes€in€a€òòmelodious€tuneóó"€€(òòEssayÐ \¬ ÐConcerning€the€Nature€of€True€Valueóó,€pp.€62„64).€€Edwards€continues:Ð H˜ ÐÌà8  àIt€has€pleased€God€to€establish€a€law€of€nature€by€virtue€of€which€the€uniformity€andÐ  p Ðmutual€correspondence€of€a€beautiful€plant,€the€respect€which€the€various€parts€of€aÐ  \ Ðregular€building€seem€to€have€to€one€another,€and€their€agreement€and€union,€and€theÐ øH Ðconsent€or€concord€of€the€various€notes€of€a€melodious€tune,€should€appear€beautifulÐ ä4 Ðbecause€therein€is€some€image€of€the€consent€of€mind,€the€different€members€of€aÐ Ð  Ðsociety€or€system€of€intelligent€beings,€sweetly€united€in€a€benevolent€agreement€ofÐ ¼  Ðheart.€.€.€.€And€here€I€should€further€observe€.€.€.€that€God€has€so€constituted€nature,Ð ¨ø Ðthat€the€presenting€of€this€inferior€beauty,€especially€in€those€kinds€of€it€which€haveÐ ”ä Ðthe€greatest€resemblance€of€the€primary€beauty,€as€the€harmony€of€sounds,€and€theÐ €Ð Ðbeauties€of€nature,€have€a€tendency€to€assist€those€whose€hearts€are€under€theÐ l¼ Ðinfluence€of€a€truly€virtuous€temper,€to€dispose€them€to€the€exercises€of€divine€love,Ð X ¨ Ðand€enliven€in€them€a€sense€of€spiritual€beauty€(Ibid.).ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌÌà  àUnregenerate€people€do€not€approve€of€beautiful€objects€because€they€perceive€this€analogy;Ð $X" Ðrather,€their€appreciation€of€beauty€is€directly€attributed€to€the€common€grace€of€God€òòvis€ðða€visóó€theÐ ô$D # Ðsaving€grace€of€God.€€In€summation,€Beauty€cannot€originate€from€anyone€other€than€God€Himself,Ð à%0!$ Ðand€it€is€a€window€into€heaven€for€those€who€have€ears€to€hear€and€eyes€to€see€(regenerated€hearts).€Ð Ì&"% Ðò òòòWhat€Christians€call€beautiful,€therefore,€speaks€volumes€to€a€watching€world€about€Whom€weÐ ¸'#& Ðcall€beautiful.ó óóó€€God's€beauty€is€self„evident€and€speaks€for€itself€through€its€intrinsic€power€ofÐ  (ð#' Ðattraction€to€a€mind€not€surrendered€to€the€noetic€effects€of€sin.Ð Œ)Ü$( ÐÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÔxð*@&x*È%ÔÓ xÓÓ  Óò òThe€Theological€Implications€of€God's€Beautyó óÐ ð*@&) ÐÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìKV#ÔÓdÓÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÓ }sx}sxÓà  àGod€is€beautiful€in€His€person€as€seen€in€the€integrity€of€His€being.€God's€self„revelationÐ ° Ðcorresponds€to€what€He€actually€is€in€word,€deed,€general€revelation,€and€special€revelation.€€Also,Ó ؃xÓÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÐ œì ÐÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÓ <ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìíe#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔthe€tri„unity€of€God€culminates€in€absolute€beauty.€€The€Son€is€the€perfect€image€of€the€Father,€theÐ ˆØ Ð"express€image€of€His€person"€(Heb€1:3),€and€the€"image€of€the€invisible€God"€(Col€1:15).€€Likewise,Ð tÄ Ðthe€Holy€Spirit€€perfectly€testifies€of€the€Son€(John€15:26).Ô#†X¨ìXXX¨ì™f#Ô€€In€the€incarnation€the€SonÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔ€Ó?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì&h#ÔÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔreveals€theÐ `° Ðbeauty€of€God€in€a€special€way€and€to€a€supreme€degree€through€the€personal€(hypostatic)€union€ofÐ L œ Ðtwo€such€diverse€natures€as€deity€and€humanity€in€one€person.€€Here,€we€have€perfect€unity€withoutÐ 8 ˆ Ðmonotony,€diversity€without€chaos,€accompanied€by€perfect€proportion€and€splendor.Ð $ t ÐÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ì¨h#ÔÓ ìA<ÓÔ‡X¨ìXXX¨ìÔÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÓ xÓÔ#†X¨ìXXX¨ìtj#Ôà  àGod€is€beautiful€in€His€perfections.€God's€attributes€unite€in€perfect€harmony.€€There€is€noÐ 8 ˆ  Ðgreater€variety€than€God's€infinite€perfections,€nor€a€more€intensive€unity.€€Though€holiness€governsÐ $t  Ðall€of€God's€attributes€(Isa€6),€the€Bible€does€not€exalt€one€attribute€of€God€to€expense€of€the€others.€Ð `  ÐThey€form€a€glorious,€harmonious€whole€without€any€inherent€contradiction.€€The€absence€of€chaosÐ üL  Ðor€monotony€in€His€divine€attributes€amplifies€His€absolute€beauty.€€They€also€mutually€contributeÐ è8  Ðto€God's€purpose€and€performance€manifesting€the€splendor€to€which€man€should€respond.Ð Ô$  ÐÓ ؃xÓà  àÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÓ xÓGod€is€beautiful€in€His€purpose.€€God€has€an€eternal€plan€which€embraces€all€that€comes€toÐ 8ˆ Ðpass€(Rom€9:8„24;€Eph€1:4„12;€John€6:22„66).€€Based€on€His€own€holy€and€wise€counsel,€GodÐ $t Ðgoverns,€efficaciously€or€permissively,€every€detail€of€His€universe€in€accordance€to€His€perfect€andÐ ` Ðunchanging€plan.€€The€chief€aim€of€His€purpose€is€to€bring€glory€to€Himself€which€is€the€aim€of€allÐ üL Ðbeauty.€€Furthermore,€there€is€perfect€harmony€between€the€purpose€and€performance€of€God.Ð è8 ÐÓ ؃xÓà  àGod€is€beautiful€in€His€performances.€€In€the€beginning€each€Person€of€the€Godhead€perfectlyÐ Lœ Ðand€harmoniously€exercised€His€role€in€the€Creation€of€the€universe,€earth,€and€man.€€The€product,Ð 8ˆ Ðprior€to€the€fall,€was€absolutely€beautiful€including€a€natural€order€which€reflected€the€glory€of€GodÐ $t Ðand€culminated€in€man€who€was€made€in€the€the€unmarred€image€of€God€(Gen€1:3).€€The€mistakeÐ ` Ðmany€have€made€at€this€point€is€to€seek€the€beauty€in€God's€creation€and€miss€the€beauty€of€theÐ üL ÐCreator€(cf.€Rom€1:18ff).€€Godððs€performance€in€redemption€exemplifies€the€true€qualities€of€HisÐ è8 Ðbeauty.€€Salvation€is€beautiful€in€that€it€involves€the€perfect€and€harmonious€actions€of€the€triuneÐ Ô$ ÐGod.€€The€product€of€salvation€is€beautiful€in€that€it€blots€out€the€ugliness€of€sin€and€restores€theÐ À Ðbeliever€in€the€image€of€God€which€was€marred€at€the€fall.€€The€believer€is€a€new€man€created€byÐ ¬ü ÐGod€in€righteousness,€holiness,€and€true€knowledge.€€Finally,€salvation€culminates€in€the€believerÐ ˜ è Ðbeing€conformed€to€the€image€of€Christ€through€glorification€(Rom€8:28„29)€„„€a€perfect,€yet,€finiteÐ „!Ô  Ðreplica€of€the€infinite€beauty€of€God.Ð p"À! ÐÓ<(Œ ÜŒ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX<Óà  à¹Ó  Ó€ò òThe€Practical€Response€to€God's€Beautyó óÐ H$˜# ÐÌÓJvÓÓB+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!Œ ÜŒ ŠXBÓÓ  Óà @ àòò"Let€the€beauty€of€the€Lord€our€God€be€upon€us."€€Psa€90:17óóÐ $&t!% ÐÓëvÓÌà  àGodððs€beauty€must€regulate€our€worship€particularly€in€its€artistic€expressions,€€if€we€are€toÐ ü'L#' Ðobey€the€admonition€of€the€psalmist.€The€objective€view€of€beauty€evaluates€the€arts€on€the€basis€ofÐ è(8$( Ðexcellence€of€craft€and€the€admirability€of€the€object,€because€God€is€perfectly€excellent,€virtuous,Ð Ô)$%) Ðand€admirable.€€€The€subjective€view€evaluates€beauty€on€the€basis€of€human€response€andÐ À*&* Ðexperience€alone.€€Ó?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓImmanuel€Kant,€father€of€the€Enlightenment,€maintained€that€beauty€was€solelyÐ ¬+ü&+ Ðsubjective,€and€that€art€could€be€considered€beautiful€only€if€it€produced€the€òòdesired€feelingsóó€in€theÐ ° Ðaudience€(òòCritique€of€Judgmentóó).€€Kant's€ideas€have€deep€roots€in€modern€culture.€€Since€Kant€deniedÐ œì Ðthe€objective€reality€of€God,€he€also€denied€the€reality€of€objective€beauty.€€To€Kant,€God€wasÐ ˆØ Ðwhatever€you€"postulated"€Him€to€be;€likewise,€beauty€was€whatever€the€individual€wanted€it€to€be.€Ð tÄ ÐKant€worshiped€at€the€shrine€of€manððs€self„autonomy.€€Since€the€concept€of€God€was€relative€andÐ `° Ðsubjective,€so€Kant€reasoned,€beauty€was€also€relative€and€subjective.€€Relativism€encourages€us€toÐ L œ Ðmake€choices€based€primarily€on€what€makes€us€òòfeel€goodóó,€rather€than€making€choices€on€the€basisÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€excellence€and€admirability€(Phil€4:8).€€We€must€learn€to€enjoy€that€which€is€admirable€andÐ $ t Ðexcellent€through€study,€discipline,€proper€exposure,€and€teaching.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àC.€S.€Lewis€wrote€inòò€An€Experiment€in€Criticismóó,€"the€first€demand€art€makes€on€us€is€toÐ è 8  Ðsurrender."€€€Art€is€communication,€and€we€must€carefully€analyze€artistic€expression€to€see€what€weÐ Ô$  Ðare€surrendering€to.€€Unity€(without€monotony),€diversity€(without€chaos),€proportion€(withoutÐ À  Ðdistortion),€and€splendor€(the€ability€to€manifest€one's€perfections€and€attributes)€describe€the€object,Ð ¬ü  Ðnot€the€listener.€€They€are€qualities€of€the€piece€of€music,€and€either€they€are€there€or€not€there.€€JustÐ ˜è  Ðas€a€reader€must€have€a€good€knowledge€of€language€to€appreciate€fine€books,€so€a€listener€must€haveÐ „Ô  Ða€knowledge€of€music€to€appreciate€fine€compositions.€€In€modern€pop„culture€people€gravitate€toÐ pÀ Ðthe€lowest€common€denominator€in€the€arts.€€Therefore,€the€good,€excellent,€virtuous,€and€admirableÐ \¬ Ðart€is€discarded.€€Our€culture€is€so€steeped€in€pop€music€which€€requires€nothing€of€us€that€we€mayÐ H˜ Ðsoon€forget€there€is€anything€else€to€be€known€other€than€the€trite€and€profane.€€If€we€understand,€forÐ 4„ Ðinstance,€that€it€takes€a€musician€fifteen€to€twenty€years€in€order€to€learn€to€play€the€cello€well,Ð  p Ðshouldn't€we€be€willing€to€work€and€learn€to€listen€well?€€With€an€objective,€God„centered€view€ofÐ  \ Ðbeauty€òòvis€a'€visóó€€a€subjective,€man„centered€view,€we€will€see€what€is€good€even€when€it€doesn'tÐ øH Ðplease€us,€giving€great€works€the€chance€to€speak€to€us€over€time.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àThe€objective€view€of€beauty€also€protects€our€sensibilities€from€lethargy€and€carnality.€€ItÐ ¼  Ðtakes€little€patience€or€work€to€enjoy€the€things€on€which€Americans€spend€most€of€their€time.€Ð ¨ø ÐTelevision,€pop€music,€movies,€fast€food,€advertising,€etc.€are€all€designed€to€be€easily€digested€byÐ ”ä Ða€dumbed„down,€general€public.€€They€require€little€if€anything€of€us.€€As€a€result,€we€becomeÐ €Ð Ðlethargic,€and€our€attention€span€decreases,€losing€the€ability€to€see€as€God€sees,€hear€as€God€hears,Ð l¼ Ðand€perceive€as€God€perceives.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÌà  àA€theocentric€(God„centered)€view€of€beauty€also€develops€a€sense€of€"taste."€€€Some€thinkÐ #l! Ðtaste€simply€means€"personal€preference,"€but€the€Miriam„Webster€Dictionary€defines€taste€as€"theÐ $X" Ðpower€or€practice€of€discerning€or€enjoying€whatever€constitutes€excellence,€especially€in€the€fineÐ ô$D # Ðarts."€€As€such,€€taste€is€a€facet€of€wisdom,€the€skillful€application€of€God's€truth,€and€the€ability€toÐ à%0!$ Ðdistinguish€what€has€value€from€what€does€not.€€Learning€to€enjoy€what€is€admirable€is€to€improveÐ Ì&"% Ðour€tastes€and€a€sure€way€of€glorifying€God€for€the€gifts€He€has€given€our€artists.€€Animals€do€notÐ ¸'#& Ðpossess€"taste"€and€appreciate€beauty,€either€their€own,€or€anyone€else's;€it€is€a€gift€to€men€aloneÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmade€in€His€image€(Gen€1:27„29).Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àSome€mistakenly€equate€subjective€enjoyment€with€objective€excellence.€€There€is€such€aÐ h+¸&* Ðthing€as€a€counterfeit€aesthetic€experience,€that€is,€the€feeling€that€you€have€experienced€somethingÐ ° Ðprofound€when€all€you€have€really€experienced€is€a€fake.€€Whether€it€is€a€telephone€commercial€onÐ œì ÐTV€that€brings€a€tear€to€the€eye,€or€a€pop€song€that€manipulates€our€emotions,€entertainers€haveÐ ˆØ Ðlearned€how€to€get€a€cheap€response€from€their€audience€when€nothing€admirable€or€excellent€hasÐ tÄ Ðbeen€offered.€€Like€a€cheat,€modern€Christian€entertainers€offer€a€sensual€or€purely€emotionalÐ `° Ðexperience;€and€the€naive€mistake€it€for€a€spiritual€experience.€€€This€is€the€artistic€equivalent€of€fastÐ L œ Ðfood€„„€all€the€fun€of€real€food€with€none€of€the€nutrition.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àPop€culture,€unfortunately,€is€determining€the€worship€in€many€"evangelical"€churches.€€TheÐ  ` Ðresult€is€that€we€are€increasingly€offering€cheap,€sensational,€sensual,€and€superficial€Christian€musicÐ ü L  Ðwhich€at€best€is€smarmy€and€"feel€good"and€at€worst€is€an€offense€to€the€beauty€of€God.€There€is€aÐ è 8  Ðcreeping€banality€in€our€musical€choices.€€The€main€requirement€is€popularity€without€admirability.€Ð Ô$  ÐIf€the€most€important€thing€in€music€is€that€we€"feel€good,"€what€is€to€stop€us€from€following€ourÐ À  Ðappetites€for€their€own€sake€in€other€areas.€€When€left€to€ourselves,€our€sensibilities€always€tendÐ ¬ü  Ðtoward€the€low,€debased,€superficial,€trendy,€and€eventually€the€depraved€(Rom€1:18„31).Ð ˜è  ÐÓ  ÓÌÌÓ  Óà@MM$ìàò òWhy€Not€Here?ó óˆÐ \¬ ÐÌà  àKant€articulated€the€modernists'€position:€€There€are€no€absolutes;€therefore,€we€can€knowÐ 4„ Ðbeauty€only€by€our€subjective€feelings.€€Edwards,€who€has€all€but€been€forgotten€in€our€modernÐ  p Ðage,€reflected€the€biblical€view€declaring€that€the€source€of€beauty€is€the€objective,€unchangingÐ  \ Ðnature€of€God.€€€Christians€hold€to€absolutes.€Why€not€here?Ð øH ÐÓ XÓÓ?+4 Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÓ XÓÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!4ÜŒX?Óà  àThe€way€to€live€faithfully€in€our€world€and€not€be€of€our€world€is€to€lead€the€wayÐ Ð  Ðregarding€the€nature€of€beauty.€€Why€should€we€design€another€shapeless€building€in€which€toÐ ¼  Ðproclaim€the€eternal€truths€of€God?€€C.€S.€Lewis€once€said€that€we€will€òònotóó€read€nothing.€€If€we€doÐ ¨ø Ðnot€read€good€books,€we€will€read€bad€books.€€If€we€do€not€delight€in€refined€things,€we€willÐ ”ä Ðdelight€in€debased€ones.€€The€same€is€true€of€music.€€€If€we€do€not€delight€in€beautiful€music,€weÐ €Ð Ðwill€delight€in€debased€music.€€Ten€minutes€worth€of€MTV€demonstrates€that€point.€€What€aÐ l¼ Ðtragedy€that€MTV€has€become€the€genre€by€which€modern€Christian€entertainers€conform€theirÐ X ¨ Ðmusic,€image,€and€performance€style.€€Imitation€is€the€highest€form€of€admiration€ð!ð€ask€anyÐ D!” Ðð ðElvisðð€impersonator.Ð 0"€  ЀÌà  àMan€must€submit€his€intellect€to€the€truth€of€God,€his€emotions€to€the€love€of€God,€hisÐ $X" Ðwill€to€the€holiness€of€God,€and€his€aesthetic€values€to€the€beauty€of€God.€€Since€Christ€is€theÐ ô$D # Ðapogee€of€the€beauty€of€God,€conformity€to€the€image€of€Christ€is€the€ultimate€and€chief€result€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðman's€response€to€the€beauty€of€God.€€John€said,€"we€shall€be€like€him;€for€we€shall€see€him€as€heÐ Ì&"% Ðis"€(1€John€3:2).€€Isaiah€foretold€of€that€day€when€we€shall€see€the€returning€Christ:€€"Thine€eyesÐ ¸'#& Ðshall€see€the€King€in€His€òòbeautyóó"€(Isa€€33:17).€€Those€who€see€Christ€in€His€beauty€will€worshipÐ ¤(ô#' ÐChrist€according€to€His€beauty.Ð )à$( ÐÓ XÓÓ?+4 Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!ÜÜŒX?ÓÌÓ XÓÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤ü!4ÜŒX?ÓÐ h+¸&* ЇÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òÓ xÓ