ADBC: 23 The Impossible Dignity of Music

Here’s the premise of the conversation.

Previously in the conversation: David put together an excellent insight into his view of the way we measure time in months and years. I also recommend you check out his later piece on the role some fictions play in what we refer to as “real life”. He also wrote something splendid on the importance of the private, public and personal spheres. You should have a read of the piece, those two parts, in particular, are worth the read. Oh, what’s that? He wrote something else about praise? Oh did he? Yeah well, let’s say that his take on that is something that I don’t agree with and found his explanation of it to be … disagreeable. Still worth the read though.

We roll on with the conversation with these responses to his questions:

Q – What is dignity? Is there such thing as human dignity? And if there is, does it apply to every single human? I ask that with people in mind such as the mindless and severely mentally retarded, and the habitually and unrepentantly wicked.

Dignity. Hm. Will I have to get a dictionary definition for this one? I mean usually, I don’t. Let me consult what my brain can come up with. Dignity – perhaps it can be defined as a heightened state of respect.

In that sense, I think there is such a thing as human dignity which suggests that a creature that is defined as human merits greater respect than other creatures. Maybe greater or may be distinct. I would suggest that the only being worthy of greater respect is God. It is indeed because of this dignity coming from our status as being created by God that bestows the dignity. Thus if we treat each other beneath that degree of dignity through overt and intentional actions, those are usually considered to be crimes worthy of punishment.

Of course, there are ways in which we can treat each other dishonouring that dignity on a consistent basis that does not require legal recourse. In those cases where people behave and express attitudes that are as you rightly phrase it “habitually and unrepentantly wicked” there can be an argument that they do not deserve the dignity accorded to others.

What about those with the severe mental disabilities that you refer to? They deserve care and attention as much as possible because they are still human even if they have limited faculties. Is this a recognition of the worth they have as a human? Yes.

Is it a recognition of their human dignity? I remember engaging in conversations during theology classes at A-level and philosophy classes at degree level about what makes us human. I recall quite a lot of arguments suggesting that what made us human was the capacity to think and function accordingly and if we don’t have that we can’t really be human. I then looked to the gathering of believers I was with at the time for a biblical base to answer and at the time found little in the way of considered thought on the matter. Since then, I’ve come across one or two in Christianity who has made appeals to scripture for a basic understanding of what it is to be human.

My current position sees the value of life starting from conception in the womb to death. As human life has a value from that point on, I’m reluctant to suggest that humans should receive anything less than human dignity … unless they contravene the standards by their persistent, intentional mistreatment of others.

Q – There is the phrase that “God can do the impossible.” Do you agree with this phrase? If you do, to what extent? Can God do or create logical contradictions, things that are exclusive and opposite in their content?

I do not agree with the phrase. I prefer the phrase that with man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) and even that phrase is subject to its context.

That means it is not a blanket statement applicable to everything in life or else those who believe in God could think to themselves that everything that is impossible to them as people should be possible with God. That leads to all manner of nonsensical and ridiculous propositions. It’s for that reason why the phrase God can do the impossible in itself is something that I don’t agree with.

The last part of your question is intriguing and I’m not totally sure what you mean, so I’d need clarification from you perhaps with examples.

I would leave the question there, but it’s worth looking at the thought of the impossible that God can do. I hear the episodes of people with apparently incurable diseases who are healed. There is the episode of course where Jesus gave sight to a man born blind. There is the question as to whether it would be considered impossible. Is it possible to walk on water? In the episode where Jesus stated that with man it’s impossible, he was addressing the amazement of an audience who heard the criteria to enter the Kingdom of God when a rich young man discovered that his riches were not going to grant him entry. It is impossible for a man on their own merits with an attitude of self-righteousness and commitment to material gain to enter the Kingdom of God. With God access can be given as that attitude is transformed by Him to see real value in Him alone and not primarily in the financial gain. That’s only possible with God.

Q – What are your favourite genres of music? What is the appeal of each?

Intriguing question. Similar to questions of my favourite pieces of music or my favourite footballers, these are correct at the time of writing and subject to change. I don’t listen to a lot of music these days and when I do the music tends to fall into just a few genres, so I’ll choose my two favourites at the time of writing. These are in no particular order.

Classic RnB – Even when I state this, I’m mainly referring to a few artists who fall under this category such as Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. And even in stating that, if you listen to the discography of these two artists they have material that covers such a wide range of other genres from Latin music and reggae to disco and dance. The appeal of the music, however, is in how I receive their musical style as moving the emotions with the use of minor chords and the upbeat. There is a groove with these tunes that is compelling at times thanks to that relationship between the bass guitar, drums, percussion and sometimes the keys. I like the deceptively complex structure of the songs that reflect artistic brilliance at work.

Gospel Music – Now this genre is so vast and wide that I have to be specific. For example, I don’t really remember or highly rate much of what goes for gospel music over the last 15 years or so. It’s not a criticism as such because I’d need to listen to it to criticise it. I came across some artists in a particular stage of their careers and found them to be delightful. Also, for whatever reason, I have to distinguish between ‘gospel music’ which is often a classification assigned to artists who are usually ‘black’ and other styles of Christian music. I’m not that bothered, but it gets me to be clear. The particular artists I refer to include John P. Kee, Fred Hammond (his stuff up to the early 2000s), Commissioned and The Winans. There were certain tracks by these artists and a couple of others that were able to match poignant lyrical content, piercing vocal performances and some musical combinations that were effective in lifting my appreciation for quality constructed music as well as a deeper desire to know God and how His Word makes a difference in life.

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Some solid questions there, David, gotta tell you. Solid, solid questions. Thanks for that challenge.

Please offer your responses to these questions:

Q – Who has legitimate authority over the lives of people? How is that authority made legitimate? How far does that authority reach?

Q – What would you counsel a young man as to the wise grounds on which to marry and the acceptable ground on which he could divorce?

Q – Western culture prioritises the pursuit of pleasure and monetary gain over noble character development. (You can define the terms as you see fit) Do you agree or disagree? Please give reasons for your answer

It’s great to make your blogging conversational acquaintance dear brother, I look forward eagerly to your answers. Thanks for your time.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden