We Are What We Sing and We Sing Who We Are
Today I begin a series of studies on the tradition of acapella singing in Christian worship. I say “the” tradition not just “our” tradition in Churches of Christ. Historically the practice of unaccompanied singing in Christian worship continued for many centuries in the church. Witness the word “acapella” which means “in the manner of the church.” For now, permit this old codger to have his say, rather than argue the issue.
As the above title suggests I seek to get behind disputes and debates to the theology of singing. Consider Paul’s teaching in Colossians 3:16 and context. “You” is plural – singing is a way of speaking together. Singing teaches and admonishes one another. Singing is also to God. That is, we sing who and what we are to one another with praise and gratitude to God.
What we sing shapes and sharpens us unto the persons and the church God wants us to be. The “word of Christ” that indwell the saints and faithful brothers and sisters at Colossae was the gospel they had heard. Its word of (about) Christ was in a hymn that they sang about the preeminence of Christ (1:15-21): He who is the image of the invisible God … That hymn in its Christ message, changed their lives (1:21-23). It sang the faith that empowered their baptism (2:9-10). And it shaped the character of their community life (3:12-15). This list is not just a list of pious platitudes to be recited. They are to rule their lives instead of the “elemental spirits” that formerly ruled them.
Consider another song sung to and by the Philippians, Phil. 2:5-8. This song is preceded by very practical admonitions to live a manner of life worthy of the gospel, to “not only believe in him but also to suffer for his sake” (Phil. 1:27-30). The shape of the Christ hymn was to be celebrated and to shape their lives (2:12-18). We might also ask why a hymn about love (1 Cor. 13) is sandwiched between Paul’s instructions about worship assemblies in I Cor. 11-14. In all these situations, we are and we become what we sing!
—Tom Yoakum