Home昔日真理報2019年 真理報文章2019 年 10 月【敬拜與音樂】藝術與教會音樂

【敬拜與音樂】藝術與教會音樂

 

根據《國語辭典簡編本》,音樂的定義為 "由旋律、節奏、和聲等合成,用以傳達思想、感情的樂音"。另外,《漢典》定義音樂為 "有節奏、旋律或和聲的人聲或樂器音響等配合所構成的一種藝術"。從這些定義中,我們可以總結為音樂包含三個基本元素:旋律﹑節奏和和聲。然後利用這些元素,我們可以創造藝術作品。 而這這些藝術作品的應用是為了表達人類的思想和情感。留意的是情感並不是情緒,情緒是人類與生俱有的自然反應,而情感是需要經過理智的思考而去沉澱和消化的。

教會音樂又如何呢?當然,因為教會音樂也是音樂,所以它也受這些三個基本元素的限制。有些人將教會音樂稱為聖樂。 但是,我認為這稱呼使這音樂的類型似乎變得遙不可及。任何教會音樂家都應該是能夠自信地掌握和使用音色,旋律和和聲的音樂家。

筆者更喜歡稱教會音樂為:一種為基督教教會服務的音樂。而這些原本創作或改編的音樂是適合教會使用的音樂。基督徒於私人或集體崇拜時使用這些音樂來祈禱、默想、感恩或紀念。這一個教會觀是指普世聖而公之教會(如《使徒信經》中所述的聖而公之教會 catholic church 不是指羅馬天主教Roman Catholic Church)。究竟教會音樂傳輸什麼樣的信息?答案是:它必須與神學有關。


教會音樂是由真誠屬靈經驗而激勵所以創作出的作品,而且主要屬於神學作品類。所以,基督教的崇拜,和會眾唱歌不是舉辦音樂會。基督教崇拜的教會音樂,應該是基於聖經所教導的真理產生而來的神學作品。而這個神學作品也是藝術作品。讀者可以思考教會音樂為一個使用藝術來顯示、教授、另人感覺和了解明白的神的一種作品。

如果教會音樂是一種藝術,那麼在邏輯上我們需要問,為什麼教堂音樂或藝術會是高質量的?最好的藝術是什麼?

《文心雕龍》是中國南朝文學理論家劉勰的是中國第一部系統文藝理論著作,成書於公元 501-502 年(南朝齊和帝中興元,二年)間。劉指出,最佳的藝術作品是:"情深而不詭,風清而不雜,義直而不回,體約而不蕪,文麗而不淫。" 何崇謙博士也提醒我們已故惠頓學院前校長 Frank Gaebelein 則認為:"崇拜所用的音樂必須具有高品質,經得起真理的考驗,才能彰顯福音的榮耀。甚麼是音樂領域的真理?這個問題的答案,沒有辦法用三言兩語就可以帶過去,但至少可以指出一個方向:浮誇的、粗糙的、濫情的、炫耀音樂技巧,都不是純正的音樂,就專業而言,有上述特質的音樂,即使教義完全無誤,也不算是聖樂......如果單純到缺乏藝術性也不行;音樂真理的`誠實'和`純正',不等於`簡單'和`天真'。" 由此我們可以看到,並非每首音樂都值得或適合用於基督教崇拜。我們的三一神值得我們用最佳的藝術作品崇拜祂。

教會音樂的歌曲裡應該包含有什麼呢?何崇謙博士認為歌曲裡應該包含 "神的形象、道成肉身之道、僕人的事奉等意象......神學意義必須落實於音調、和聲和旋律中。" 由此可見,教會音樂傳輸神學有關的信息。教會音樂不僅可以幫助我們表達我們的神學思想,而且還可以同時幫助我們形成及建構自己的神學思想。

教會音樂應該是由基督教的神學所塑造。不過,現時流行的音樂事奉的領袖,有音樂訓練的不多,有神學訓練的教會音樂領袖更是小之又小。在北美華人教會,這短缺情況嚴重,但是教會雖然面對這些短缺都不放更多的資源,確實有點唏噓。如果上帝呼召您在教堂音樂這個區域中服侍,您是否願意接受裝備?獻上最佳的藝術作品崇拜祂?

參考
• Gaebelein, Frank E. The Christian, the Arts, and Truth: Regaining the Vision of Greatness. Portland, OR: Multnomash Press, 1985.

• 何崇謙,"藝術在教會 (三)",《基督教週報》第 2034 期(2003 年 8 月 17 日)

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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