The Worship Quote of the Week for (08/18/1998):

Spiritual Value of Music This summer, the WORSHIP QUOTE OF THE WEEK will be taken from the many and varied writings of C. S. Lewis, 1898-1963. This is the year we celebrate the centenary of his birth. Today's quote is another on issues of style as they relate to the music used in worship. SPIRITUAL VALUE OF MUSIC The first and most solid conclusion which (for me) emerges is that both musical parties, the High Brows and the Low, assume far too easily the spiritual value of the music they want. Neither the greatest excellence of a trained performance from the choir, nor the heartiest and most enthusiastic bellowing from the pews, must be taken to signify that any specifically religious activity is going on. It may be so, or it may not. C. S. Lewis, in "On Church Music," from CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS, Eerdmans, 1967. [Lewis, a non-singer, is obviously pushing the point that true worship is from the heart. See the first chapter of Isaiah to see what God thinks of religious observance without appropriate heart attitude. Next week will be the last in our summer series of C. S. Lewis WORSHIP QUOTES.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina