by Professor Bogdan Scur
There is a distinct collection of poems in the Book of Psalms named the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120–134). Judging by their common designation, the editors of the Book of Psalms likely regarded these psalms as appropriate to be recited or sung by the people of God on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship God together. Given their probable purpose, one would think that the psalms are broadly homogenous in nature. But, intriguingly, they demonstrate different emphases, voices, and tones and, therefore, reflect a variety of human experiences and perspectives. Travelling to their destination where they would joyfully worship God, the Israelites were to sing songs of their fellow believers and, in doing so, would learn from one another about God, prayer, spiritual life, and authentic worship. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem was a journey of a people in all of their varied beauty.
Much like the Israelites of old, Christians are on a pilgrimage to New Jerusalem for worship. And we are making this sacred journey in a world that is often likened to a global village. Modern communication platforms connect believers from different corners of the world in an unprecedented manner. Denominational and other religious media dutifully appraise us of important developments around the globe. We even meet in person with our brothers and sisters from other continents and countries at different events. We watch worship services and listen to music recordings across time zones. We get to know authors of the books we read. Unsurprisingly, these connections draw us together.
On the pilgrimage to our true home, we are journeying together with believers from different countries and cultures. As we are making this pilgrimage, we have an opportunity to know our sisters and brothers through the way they worship God. Our God reveals himself and works in remarkable and unique ways in different parts of the world. His grace and wisdom lead and revive believers in life’s travails. This life with God overflows into various musical expressions. Therefore, unsurprisingly, Christians have composed sacred music that reflects their reading of the Word of God, their experiences of God, their traditions, their history, and their temperament.
This sacred music tradition is not just an authentic expression of a particular Christian community, but also a remarkable and precious gift to the global Church. Unique melodies of different cultures affect us in fresh and unexpected ways and challenge our understanding of faith and our own life. Cadences of trust from different nations broaden our own perception of what God is doing among us, how we should respond to his presence, and how we ought to live out our Christian commitments. As we sing the songs of other cultures, they shape and enrich our own theology of God, humanity, and the world we all inhabit together. God addresses us through them and they leave an essential impact on our own faith development and Christian maturity.
When we sing the global songs in our worship services we honor the Holy Spirit who works in all cultures. In sacred music of the world we are entrusted with a precious treasure of the Spirit of God. The third person of the Trinity is the greatest gift that Jesus left to his church after he ascended to the Father (John 14:16–17). The Spirit of God revives the life and ministry of individual believers and the church (Isaiah 44:3–4; Galatians 5:22–23) and grants gifts to individual believers for the wellbeing and advancement of the body of Christ (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:11–12; and 1 Peter 4:11). The agency of the Holy Spirit brings about the purposes of God and it evades human control (John 3:8; 1 Corinthians 12:11). In his sovereignty and freedom the Spirit creates authentic, faithful, and unique musical witness in various communities and traditions. And this is the reason why we have to cherish and utilize global sacred music and be very careful not to hold a particular musical expression as absolutely normative and superior to all other iterations.
We need to nurture this gift of sacred music in many different forms. The Church ought to encourage and support authentic musical expression in different Christian communities around the globe. And when local churches in different parts of the world plan their worship services, they should use global songs and music. We need one another; we need to sing and perform music composed by our sisters and brothers. They are our teachers in faith, coworkers in mission with whom we stand in unity, and our vital support on our pilgrimage to New Jerusalem.
Bogdan Scur is a professor of religion at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland. His academic journey across continents has enriched his personal and professional life, fostering deep appreciation for cultural wealth and beauty of humanity. Since joining Washington Adventist University, he has taught courses in the Old Testament, biblical languages, theology, and biblical spirituality. His research focuses on the anthropological and theological dimensions of the Old Testament and the principles of biblical spirituality, alongside an active interest in teaching methodologies and academic assessment.