LETTERS

Music and the Black Dog

The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers in his contribution to the October Life and Work wrote on the impact of depression on the spirit, the black dog. In particular, he referred to the ‘soothing, healing, renewing power of music’ and its eff ect on curing the tormented soul of Saul.

This reminded me of the words of Hans Christian Andersen in his fairy tale ‘What the Moon Saw’ – ‘When words fail, sounds can often speak’. Experience and research have illustrated that music can assist us in soothing and healing when other kinds of communication are unable to provide help. I believe that the violin has a particular power to sooth those who are troubled and distressed. However, musical preference can vary widely among individuals and thus it is for each person to decide what they like and what is appropriate for each mood. We know that David’s harp caused evil spirits to flee from causing pain to Saul [1 Sam 16.23].

There are a number of other biblical references referring to the power of music. David, for example, composed a Psalm, which refers to songs of deliverance:

[Psalm 32.7]. The Holy Spirit came upon Elisha after a musician started playing [2 Kings 3.15]. Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises in prison and God sent an earthquake to free them [Acts 16.25-26].

Dr Chalmers observed that music does not assist with everyone’s depression. That is clearly correct. However, it is clear research has shown that music can not only improve mood and battle depression for many, but also act as a balm for stroke and Alzheimer’s condition, and can also improve surgical outcomes.

I conclude with agreeing with the sentiments of Abba when they sang: ‘So I say, Thank you for the music’.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire

Practical Preaching

In R L Stevenson’s book, Catriona, David Balfour, having escaped from the Bass Rock, arrives at the Kirk in Inveraray just as the minister reaches the climax of his sermon to the assembled Judiciary of Scotland with the words, “..and thirteenthly, but in parenthesis….”. It is doubtful if all of the assembled judges, together could have recalled the previous twelve points of the sermon, never mind the parentheses. It is a great pity that Presbyterian clergymen have modelled their sermons on the preaching of St Paul, the first person, but possibly not the last, to preach a man to death, (see Acts 20:9) rather than on his Master, Jesus.

Of course the Reformers, like Paul, were preaching to explain and justify their opposition to what they regarded as an outdated theology so it is understandable that their preaching might be similar. But how much more eff ective they might have been if they had preached like Jesus, who rarely preached without visual aids, either material ones – a coin, a sheep, a child, the lilies of the field, a plank in your eye – or mental images – a house built on sand, birds with nests, foxes with holes – so it seems obvious that in a visual age every church should have a screen and a projector. It is a fundamental truth that the spoken word reinforced with a visual image is more likely to make a lasting impression than the words alone.

Here is a practical suggestion. If your church does not yet have a projector and screen, get them. The architecture may not lend itself to it but if you do, make good use of it. Here are some suggestions.

1 Put the words of the hymns on the screen. This will immediately double the volume of the praise because people will project their voices upward and outward away from their hymn books.

2 Put up the main headings of the sermon at the appropriate time. If you get to the thirteenth point (without the parenthesis) STOP.

3 If you have appropriate illustrations, put them on the screen. For example, if you are preaching on the Prodigal Son, show Rembrandt’s extraordinary picture of that story. There is no greater image of repentance and forgiveness than the postures of the father and the Prodigal, and note also the elder son. 4 If the congregation don’t like bringing technology just ask if they came to church by car or if they have a television at home. Perhaps they prefer the way church has always been – but has church always been devoid of young people? A projector and screen won’t bring young people flooding back to church but it might be a start.

5 Just before the final hymn, leave the congregation with a thought for the week ahead: one major idea from the sermon. “Remember the older brother: don’t be a misery like him.”

Peter Kimber, Dirleton, East Lothian

Cartoon Complaint

I am somewhat taken aback that you would belittle those who are less well off than yourself by ridiculing the poorly dressed man with the dog, who had only a dog to leave in his will (November letters cartoon).

We are all made in the image of God and each of us is precious in His sight. Your attitude is a poor example to the young, and a denial of the Gospel. I would say it is quite shameful actually.

Patricia Francis, Durham

Science and religion

I was saddened by the letter from Alex Glen (October Life and Work) which implied that there was a conlict between science and theology. In my career I have been impressed by the number of scientists and academic clinicians at the cutting edge of their ields who have been committed Christians. They have come from Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic and even Coptic Christian backgrounds. It is also clear that our understanding of Christ has been enhanced by innovative exponents of theology who include Saint Paul, Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, Tertullian, Origen, Saint Francis, John Wyclif, William Tyndale, John Major, Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Buchanan, John Wesley and many of Mr Torrance’s namesakes.

Both science and theology has done much to enhance the nature of God and his care for us. Mr Torrance may be interested to look up online ‘Grasping the Nettle’, a programme in which members with theological, clerical, scientiic, medical, psychological and many other backgrounds have a friendly debate about the relationship of science to theology.

It also makes me sad to read of Charles Darwin being demonised. He was a humble and open-minded man who throughout his life agonised about the gap between his beliefs and those of his beloved and profoundly Christian wife. It is likely that his doubts about religion were fuelled by grief over the early death of his daughter.

I would urge for more thoughtfulness and charity as we try to unravel the seemingly unfathomable mysteries of our faithful and loving God. W J MacLennan, Emeritus Professor, Geriatric Medicine, Glasgow I agree with most of Steven Lee’s letter in the November issue of Life and Work. The universe and in particular, our solar system, has been tuned to the inest tolerances imagineable to support and sustain life on earth.

He does however refer to evolution as if it were a proven fact and not a theory which is coming under increasing pressure from a scientiic perspective. There is evidence to support “micro evolution” in view of the fact that certain species demonstrate the ability to adapt and change with the changing environment they inhabit but no substantial evidence to support one species changing into another. The fossil record of semi or part evolved species just does not exist. Christians may have to start getting their mind round the fact that perhaps the scientiic establishment, and the BBC, spearheaded by the otherwise admirable David Attenborough, have duped us for all these years and their insistance on “macro evolution” is a fast evaporating myth.

I am becoming aware of the fact that we must also take with a very large pinch of salt, theories concerning the age of the universe. These theories have been based on radio carbon dating and the rate at which it is assumed that the universe is expanding. The former is being proven to be spectacularly unreliable, and the latter is based on highly dubious assumptions. There have been many attempts to date the universe and the current range is from six thousand years to 13.5 billion years. The sceptic in me fears that the scientiic establishment may soon increase that to 500 billion years in order to factor in enough time to support the theory of random selection.

Alex Glen, Glasgow

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This article appears in the December 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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