REVIEW OF MENDELSSOHN IN BIRMINGHAM VOL. 3, PARTICULARLY LOBGESANG (SYMPHONY #2)

 

 Since I became a fan of classical music, my favorite composer as I grew older, from Beethoven to Dvorak to Bruckner to Berwald and now Mendelssohn. 

Some of you aren't into classical music, and may tell me you've never heard of Mendelssohn's music. I will kindly shake my head and ask you to turn in your hymnal to "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." You'll see Charles Wesley's name on the left for the words, and on the right you'll see the composer for the music identified as - you guessed it -  Mendelssohn. It makes me smile that the brother of John Wesley wrote words that would be set to music by a Reformed Messianic Jew who wasn't born when Charles was promoted to hymn writing in heaven.

Felix Mendelssohn by Eduard Magnus, 1846

Mendelssohn is typically assumed to have written five symphonies. His symphonies are numbered according to the order of their publication. For example, the Reformation symphony was the second one he wrote, but he put it on mothballs and it wasn't published until 20+ years after his death, and was numbered as his fifth. 

Above, I've pictured volume three of the collection "Mendelssohn in Birmingham". Mendelssohn visited Britain ten times during his short life (1809-1847). The first three volumes, which feature his symphonies (each also starts off with an overture), have a sketch done by Mendelssohn of Birmingham. (Each volume has a different ink color). Not only does it show that the composer was a talented artist, but it also showed some humor: Notice the large bird in the drawing? And in the forefront was the luggage of Mendelssohn and his two traveling companions.

The first two volumes feature four of his five symphonies, saving the longest for this volume. This symphony, designated as the second (though it was either his fourth or fifth that he wrote) is titled Lobgesang, which means hymn of praise. Like Beethoven's 9th, the symphony starts with three instrumental movements and then brings in a choir for the end. However, there are distinct differences. Beethoven's choral finale was a symphony movement with singing. The choir part of Lobgesang more resembles the Messiah than Beethoven, taking up the majority of the time of the symphony, and is usually divided into several parts. In fact, some modern music critics don't consider this a symphony but more of a sacred choral work. 

One reason I am looking at this rendition instead of just the symphony is that this includes the English translation of the lyrics, which Mendelssohn authorized (the original was in German). 

I'm not a professional music critic, but allow me to pretend to be one. The symphony starts off with horns playing a melody in a low key, echoed by the orchestra, not unlike a songleader singing a line from a song with the choir or congregation echoing that line back. There is no break between the minuet of the 2nd movement and the slow 3rd movement. The fourth starts with the orchestra playing the beginning of the theme from the first movement.

One interesting note is this was composed for a choir, a pair of sopranos, and a tenor. There is one short segment where the sopranos sing together.

When I listen to this symphony, the theme runs through my head, with the English words taken from Psalm 150: "Let all that has life and breath praise the Lord."

This volume starts off with an overture titled "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage." I'll admit it's not my favorite Mendelssohn composition. It starts off very quietly, and sometimes if I don't put the volume on the stereo loud enough I miss the first couple of minutes of this overture.

Who is your favorite classical composer? What music helps you worship?

CHRISTIAN COMIC BOOK REVIEWS PART 2 OF 2: SUBMITTING TO BE MORE VILE (THE ILLUSTRATED ADVENTURES OF JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY) BY CHARLIE BABER

 

Yesterday I reviewed James Lawson's comics of Yakov BenTorah and his dog Mattix. Today, I'll be looking at a collection of Wesley Bros. comics by Charlie Baber. 

I fell in love with the premise immediately. Baber takes the Wesleys and puts them in a modern day setting along with other famous people in history. Well, maybe not always modern day - Baber places his characters in take-offs of Marvel Comics, Star Trek, and the like - previously I would never have thought of Tertullian as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

This graphic novel is arranged in thematic order as opposed to chronological. Some of them are a telling of the Wesleys' childhood and the origins of Methodism (though I doubt the real Nancy Wesley asked her mother for a cell phone). The other sections look at theology and church relations.

I'll admit that there are things I like about this collection and some I don't. For one is that while it is about Arminians by Arminians, it doesn't villainize Calvinists. George Whitfield is a regular character in the book as a friend, not as an antagonist. On the other hand, I can tell from the comics that I'm more conservative theologically and politically than they are. For example, there are comics that hint Baber has no problem with female clergy, and there are a few which give an impression that wokism is okay (one which is meant to be pro-immigration but comes across as anti ICE).

Wesley Bros. is a fun way to look at church history. Also, like Yakov BenTorah, there is a challenge to what Lawson describes as Couch Potato Christians, to return to our First Love. However, I have to stop short of an unqualified recommendation of the Wesley Bros.

Is there an artist (musician, novelist, cartoonist, etc.) that you have points of disagreement with but who still have a positive effect in your spiritual life or at least spur you on to thinking issues through? Is there a balance between being too inclusive and too exclusive in your theology?

 

CHRISTIAN COMIC BOOK REVIEWS PART 1 OF 2: THERAPEUTIC INSANITY WITH YAKOV BENTORAH AND HIS DOG MATTIX BY JAMES LAWSON

 

Have you ever seen a series of book reviews? Well, you have now. Today and tomorrow I'll be introducing two different books that have a few things in common:

1. They're both listed as "Graphic Novels".
2. Technically, they're not "Novels" but are collections of cartoons by the author.
3. They are both are Christian, and neither is typical Christian fluff.
4. Neither will be everybody's cup of tea, partially due to humor and partially due to theological reasons.

 Today, I'll start with Therapeutic Insanity by my friend James Lawson is a clever and humorous look into Christianity. The main characters are Yakov BenTorah (which is the author's name in Hebrew) and his Dog, Mattix (another play on words - I'll see if you can figure it out).

The blurb states this isn't for couch potato Christians and challenges those who don't trust Scripture alone. Now, he does have views that are not typical, and some may not agree with everything he says. But it does call for us to think things through.

There will be times you'll be rolling on the floor laughing your head off, there will be times you'll be ready to challenge the author to a theological debate, and there will be times you will give him a hearty amen. I highly recommend this book. 

I've also been following Lawson's Facebook page, and I trust he doesn't mind if I share a couple of my favorites by him.

Lawson's Facebook page is titled Reformed Christian Comic Books. Hence, expect Reformed Theology in the comics. But at James' heart is a desire for the Chruch to return to the five Solas of the Reformation - The Bible Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, To the Glory of God Alone -and I agree.

Have you seen any Christian comics you especially like? Any cartoon that have challenged your faith? 

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing about another collection of Christian comics that have some similarities ... and some major differences.

 

BOOK REVIEW: EXPOSITORY APOLOGETICS BY VODDIE BAUCHAM

 

Is apologetics solely the job of trained intellectuals who can stand toe to toe to the philosophers and scientists? Voddie Baucham doesn't believe so. This book deals with how pastors, teachers, parents, and any other believer can defend their faith.

The concept of the book started when a friend of Voddie asked about one technique he uses in preaching and if he could teach it. That method is bringing up questions skeptics/unbelievers would ask and then answering them. Voddie commented that he's not the first to use this approach - Paul does the same thing in Romans.

I highly recommend this book.

Have you ever had the opportunity to defend the faith? What books have you read about apologetics?

SHARKS OR DOLPHINS?

 

 

Atlantic spotted dolphin, great white shark.

 

 Anybody else besides me like Mentos? The latest rolls I got of mint have "conversation starters" on each mint. Call or Text? Horror or Comedy? Beach or Mountain? Mint or Fruit? Video or Board Games?

 

The first one I had asked "Dolphin or Shark?" For me, it took seconds to come up with my answer:

 

"Define shark."

 

Some of you are scratching your heads at that response. "What do you mean define shark? Haven't you seen Jaws? In fact, you've got a picture of one right above this text.

 

You're right. I do have a picture of the dreaded Great White Shark, which was the "villain" in Peter Benchley's best selling novel and the summer blockbuster movie directed by Steven Spielberg (if an animal doing what God created it to do should be called a villain). 

 

Those awe inspiring predators do send shivers up your spine, compared to a playful dolphin. If you had a choice between swimming with a dolphin or a Great White, that would be an easy decision. 

 

But what if you were a fish?

 

If you could do a Vulcan mind meld on a fish, you would probably learn they would not call a dolphin playful. In fact, they would consider a choice between a dolphin and a Great White like we would think of a decision between a hangman's noose and a firing squad. After all, what do they feed the stars of a dolphin show? Plus, one species of dolphin you might be familiar with is the Orca, the Killer Whale.

 

But is it possible that we have an automatic perception of sharks as well?

 

Yes, when a person thinks shark, they think Great White. So did the Mentos artist, whose shark resembled the movie poster of Jaws. But it's not the only shark species - there are over 1,000 species of sharks and rays. Not all of them are as big as the great white. And not all are as viscious.

 

But let me go the other direction. The Great White can get up to 20 feet in length. Sounds intimidating. Until you meet my favorite fish.

 

 

 

The whale shark is about 50 feet long.  Looks like a suspect for giving Jonah a three day tour, but that would be a miracle: The whale shark's diet is the same as their mammal playmates (whales), mostly plankton. While I wouldn't want to swim with a Great White, I'd love to swim with a whale shark. In fact, Wikipedia mentions some divers have hitched a ride on one of these guys.

 

So if by shark you mean Great White, I'd take a dolphin any day. But if you're talking whale shark, sorry Flipper, I'd be with the bigger swimmate. 

 

Now, I can go a little deeper - philosophically and theologically, that is - and ask if our perceptions could be a little less than accurate or point out that the largest fish and the largest mammal survive on microscopic plankton, but I'll be nice and not bring those things up. Instead I'll ask the question you'd expect me to ask:

Horror or Comedy? 

(Yes, you can also tell me which you like between shark and dolphin as well.)

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: SOUND DOCTRINE (9MARKS SERIES) BY BOBBY JAMIESON

 

Are you aware that solid Biblical teaching (also known as Sound Doctrine) has an effect on other areas of your life, such as loving others, corporate worship, personal holiness, etc.? Bobby Jamieson does an excellent job of showing the importance of good Scriptural teaching, likening it to being a professional jazz musician (he was one) and a surfer (again, he was one).

What is sound doctrine? Jamieson defines it as the teaching  that is consistent through Scripture. The drawback on the subject - good Christian teachers sometimes disagree on what sound doctrine is. To some, sound doctrine would include the eternal security of the believer, while another believes sound doctrine allows a Christian to fall from grace. For the most part, Jamieson doesn't get into areas of controversy, though he does mention the doctrine of election later in the book. Rather, his examples are in areas of doctrine most Christians regardless of denomination would agree on.

This book is part of the 9Marks series.

How does Biblical doctrine (i.e. teaching) affect your life? What sources do you use to increase your knowledge of doctrine?

WHAT IS OUR IDENTITY? WHERE IS OUR CITIZENSHIP?

 

Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull

Yesterday was Sunday, July 4th, 2021. The last time Independence Day fell on a Sunday was 2010; next time will be 2027. 

I'm in a Facebook Group called the Baptist Review, and one theme of the past week was how much of the service would be a church service on the Fourth of July and how much would be a July 4th Service at church. Should Patriotic songs be included and how many? Should the sermon be focused on Independence Day or should the pastor continue with the next sermon in his series? Should the flag be on the platform and should the pledge be said?

Allow me summarize what some people were asking: Is our views on Patriotism and our country and its freedoms in danger of violating the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me?"

Let me simply put my view like this: American Christians have an equal responsibility to be loyal and thankful for their countries as do Christians in every other nation in the world, including Communist China, Islamic Iran, Hindu India. I'll take one step farther: the loyalty and thankfulness and stand for truth should be exactly the same this year with President Biden as it was last year with President Trump.

I'll put it another way. As a Christian, my identity is a Christian and my citizenship is in heaven. Yes, I happen to be American, but my Sovereign is infallible and in heaven. If His commandments and the laws of our fallible leaders contradict, I unquestioningly give the former precedence. 

But is that typical, especially nowadays? There are some who identify with Christians on both sides of the political aisle, and both of them would say their political views are an accurate ... no, THE accurate interpretation of Jesus' teachings. In other words, some question if you can be saved and be a Democrat or if you are a true disciple if you are a Republican. Yes, I've heard one person say that Libertarianism and Christianity are incompatible.

How is God going to accomplish His will? Does he need us to defeat His enemy (that is, the OTHER party) through political means? When Jesus said teach all nations and make disciples, did He really mean either to be pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-guns, pro-military, pro-police or to view the government as the means to create equality and diversity and oppose those who would dare consider Scripture more authoritative than their political philosophy?

One book I'd recommend on the subject is John Cobin's Christian Theology of Public Policy. He promotes what he calls the "Liberty of Conscience" view, which views the state as a rival kingdom to the Kingdom of God, but to be active in that view. Cobin includes concise commentaries on Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2.

To be honest, I would rather put up the Christian flag in my home than an American one. I have more in common with a believer in a 3rd world country or enduring persecution in a restricted nation than fellow countrymen here. (It takes about five minutes a day of watching TV to reinforce that belief.) A Christian who disagrees with me on Calvinism/Arminianism, dispensationalism, music, etc. is more at unity with me than an unbeliever who agrees with me politically.

What one item would you call the defining point of your identity? Are there times we need to decide between obedience to God and abiding by the laws of men? Are your political views influencing your theology, or is it the other way around?