I was raised Christian growing up in my house but stopped believing around middle school as I had many problems with the text and the church in general. A song I remember is Give Me Oil In My Lamp. From what I remember and through some research, it’s referencing the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This is where some of my skepticism lies, as very little has information has lasted throughout time. We know almost nothing about this parable. We really only know the passage’s meaning and the literal text. The song is in reference to virgins not bringing enough oil to keep their lamps burning all night at a wedding parade. Therefore, they are left out of the later festivities. The parable seems to hammer home the principle that Jesus is fickle about the date of his return and no one will be able to know when it will come. Therefore, they must be ready (have oil) at all times or they (the oil-less virgins) could be left out of heaven (the festivities). This reads as more of an abusive relationship than anything in modern observation. It reads as “do exactly what I want all the time because I have power over you and could harm you at whatever moment I wanted to”. This omnipotent power structure is threatening removing one’s eternal salvation for not being ready at all times. Also, since he is omnipotent, he would be able to know what will happen as he sees all. So he’d know already who isn’t going to enter heaven upon, his still undelivered, return.
My qualm lies with the fact then the creator that made people and free will won’t allow them to act on it as they could be eternally damned to hell. I’m not against punishment for crimes but eternal brimstone and hellfire for eating shrimp and not having oil seems a bit excessive.
I vividly remember singing this song in Vacation Bible school and CCD class when I was younger. The song I chose is “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. The song is about God creating and taking care of the world and all of the people on it because he loves them. The song also references how everyone is brother and sister. The song is very upbeat and repetitive because it was made especially for children. However the video along with the song depicts Jesus. This could be referencing how Jesus took care of the world and was responsible for all of our sins when he died on the cross and how he is a brother to us because he was also human.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEkXzi19Crk
The exploration of the etymology of the various words brought up in class was something very new to me. I never realized the roots and true meanings of the words, that they must have held back then to those people. My understanding and connections to the music grew as I found more connections and meanings due to the new knowledge of the word’s original meanings and roots. The video we watched also fostered some of those new connections as it is related material that helped me visualize what we were learning.
The only religious song I can remember from my childhood is He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands. At the time I didn’t think of it as a religious song and didn’t even consider who the ‘He’ in the song was. I wasn’t raised with any religion, but did go to Sunday school for a little while. I think the point of the song is to teach children that the world is God’s creation and he is always watching over and caring for his world. But I actually think the song is unintentionally creepy.
As a child, along with going to church, I was exposed to Bible stories through VeggieTales. My favorite episode is entitled “Where’s God When I’m Scared” and the main lesson of the episode is based on Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear for I am with you. God is Bigger is a song that Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber sing to Jr Asparagus when he is scared and it explains how God is on your side, so there is no reason to fear.
The story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den is also included as the second part of the episode and has several songs included, my favorite of which is about the Wise men being peaved that King Darius likes Daniel more than the Wise men themselves because Daniel was able to explain the kings dream and they weren’t. Oh No! What we gonna do? is about the wise men scheming about what to do to get Daniel out of the picture and it was always entertaining to me as a child. Another song is included about Daniel not fearing because God is there to protect him, even in the Lion’s Den, it is called Fear Not, Daniel. Both Fear Not, Daniel and God is Bigger directly related to Isaiah 41:10
I was raised and educated for the first 18 years of my life in the Catholic church. Much of the music that was played at Mass was played very often and rarely did my church deviate from their usual program of music. One of the songs my church used the most was “Table of Plenty.”
Yesterday in class we talked about the text of Handel’s Messiah and how he interwove Bible passages with psalms. This conversation was completely new to me and I found it quite intriguing. I have had the pleasure of seeing Handel’s Messiah preformed live twice because my grandma took me when I was younger to see the orchestra but I didn’t pay much attention to the words. If I were ever to have the opportunity again to see it live I would pay more attention to the words and cadence of it all. This class has definitely broadened my perspective.
Growing up I was very involved in the Mormon church, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and this song was very important to me. As a child I recall listening this in Sunday school most weeks and studying both the Book of Mormon and the Bible.
On Monday in class we talked about the musical piece “The Messiah”. I have never heard the piece before so it was very interesting to learn about it and how it was made. I found it interesting how the words were constructed first. Typically I think the music is made first and the words follow. I think that could potentially be an interesting final project. To create the lyrics of a song first and then add the music behind it.
We also watched a scene from The Crown. I have always wanted to watch it so it was very interesting to see. I did not know they added so much of the religious aspect into the ceremony. I did not think that ceremony would mix with religion. The anointing is very religious process. In the Catholic religion they anoint with holy oil on major ceremonies like baptism, confirmation, and anointing of the sick.
Last week we got to choose a scripture from the bible and develop a movie scene around it. That was one of my favorite things that we have done so far and I wished we could’ve spent more time with this project. I am a theatre minor, so I love developing scenes and coming up with different ways to portray scripts. It was interesting trying to figure out how many people we would need for the scene, the lighting, and the proper music to fit the scripture we chose. I find it so fascinating the many different ways we can incorporate music and the arts in the Bible. I hope we do more of this before the semester is over.
