【敬拜與音樂】最後的話

 

本文將是我在這專欄中的最後一篇文章,不經不覺以經在這個框框默默耕耘十六年。這些年感謝《真理報》的總編輯楊愛程博士的錯愛和諒解,能夠給予我一個以文字事奉的機會。更加感激的是讀者的反應,這些回應有時是書面形式,有時是親身形式。

在這一篇文章中,我想藉此機會總結一下我過去的寫作中的一些關鍵主題。希望讀者能注意我最後的提醒。

1. 神學對於教會音樂的重要性

教會音樂不僅是音樂藝術,它需要關注並平衡藝術與心靈﹝hearts and arts﹞。但是,由於教會音樂的目的是服務於基督教崇拜,所以神學非常重要。我們需要通過神學的角度檢查每首音樂,沒有什麼比神學錯誤的歌曲更具破壞力了。那麼問題是,我怎樣才能判斷一首歌在神學上是否正確的呢?答案很簡單:了解神學和基督教崇拜。有些人不知道如何判斷和辨別各種音樂來進行基督教崇拜,但他們也不尋求學習的機會,這可能是最悲哀的情況。

人類不能通過滲透﹝osmosis﹞學習,而是通過上課學習或與經驗豐富的人交談。現時教會音樂的教育都十分缺乏一個有系統的方法去訓練,我希望更多的人會更加認真地參與崇拜和教堂音樂。


2. 詩班的重要性

詩班是一個高度委身並且有紀律的群組,他們齊心協力接受訓練,並幫助主日崇拜,所以詩班應該是教會屬靈的領導與榜樣。可悲的是,看到很多教堂已經不再有合唱團,或者他們的合唱團只接近被解散邊緣。現在,大多數詩班團缺少司琴家或訓練有素的指揮。這些職位很難填補,因為它們要求詩班員或指揮花很長時間練習和學習。詩班員是不斷學習怎樣同心合意的興旺教會的音樂事工。除獻唱以外,詩班在崇拜中亦担當著領導及服侍的角色。如果我們把教會詩班的職分及責任看闊一點時,那麼詩班其實應該是一個「帶領崇拜的詩班」。

詩班的歌聲是神偉大創造的傑作,得蒙基督救恩的寶血洗滌,更展現出有聖靈內住的生命。因此,沒有其他樂器比信徒的聲音能更直接,更真誠地向神讚美敬拜,並傳遞神的訊息。而且,詩班中的集體事奉更是一個合一的信仰見証。所以,詩班的存在價值實在是舉足輕重的。

3. 教會的音樂最重要是會眾的唱詩 (Congregational Singing):聖樂事奉

有人以為聖樂事奉只屬於詩班員及其他聖樂人員,然而聖經的教導卻是:每一個屬神的人,都應該是在參與聖樂事奉。所以,敬拜神要求我們成為一個充分的、有意識的和積極的(full, conscious, and active)參與者。

4. 忠心事奉

事奉的機會要求我們要忠心。如今,太多的事奉位只在短期基礎上要求人們的委身。如今,不單指出幾週一次的事奉參與是正常的,可以持續幾年的事奉並不常見。赫士德(Donald P. Hustad)在《當代聖樂與崇拜》一書中提醒我們「崇拜中的唱詩,不是傳道人或受過音樂專業訓練者的專利;唱詩是為眾信徒設立的。問題不在於『你有沒有聲音?』乃是在於『你心中是否有詩歌?』」

5. 追求卓越

你不要輕忽所得的恩賜,需要不斷的學習和操練。有很多愚昧人會攻擊你是「追求完美」,要緊記愚昧人喜歡自暴其短,他不追求聰明才智,反好大喜功顯露出自己的無知。我們追求卓越,一次需要比較另一次有改進。我們並不是唯一定睛在完美的結果。

教會聖樂發展需要種種資源。同一時間,聖樂同工們亦應不斷裝備自己在音樂和神學方面的認識,要多看有關書藉,多報讀有關課程,參與研討會和音樂營等活動。另外,多接觸音樂和出席不同風格和文化背景的音樂會也能幫助汲取經驗,並從而作出自我評價,達至精益求精的目標。

朋友,希望以後有機會再服務大家。最後,願主耶穌基督的恩惠、神的慈愛、聖靈的感動,常與你們眾人同在,阿們!

PS:如果您想與我聯繫,請訪問我的網站 http://www.herberttsang.com

 

      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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