----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute.
----------------------------------------------------------------
COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS:
This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research
Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may
be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware,"
without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain
the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1993 by the Christian
Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the
permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the
enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its
content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to
exceed more than 500 words.
If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file
for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale,
please give the following source credit: Copyright 1993 by the
Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan
Capistrano, CA 92693.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"How 'New Age' is New Age Music?" (an article from the Christian
Research Newsletter, Volume 2: Number 1, 1989) by Elliot Miller.
The editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes.
From the RESEARCH NOTES column:
-------------
There can be no disputing that the increasingly popular and
profitable "New Age music" has roots in the New Age movement --
the identical names are not a coincidence. The trend began with
jazz luminaries like Paul Horn and John Fahey seeking to create
music especially conducive to New Age spirituality. Then, as
recounted by New Age seminar leader and entrepreneur Dick Sutphen,
in the latter 1970s Steven Halpern created a "soothing music that
was...great for visualization. Structured on a pentatonic scale,
there was no tension, no resolve, and it inspired without distr
acting." ("The Emergence of New Age Music," _Self-Help Update_,
issue 29, 14.) Halpern, who holds a Master's degree in the
psychology of music, was deliberately attempting to facilitate the
development of "higher" levels of consciousness.
This has remained a central goal for many New Age musicians
today. Even Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider, whose records
have sold in the millions, explains that the purpose of the
tranquil sound is to "build a bridge between the conscious and the
subconscious. We have to somehow excite our spirituality." (Bill
Barol with Mark D. Uehling and George Raine, "Muzak for a New
Age," _Newsweek_, 13 May 1985, 68.)
For many involved in this burgeoning field, however, the
primary incentives appear to be artistic expression and/or
financial gain. Windham Hill, the leading New Age label, has in
10 years grown into a $21 million record company. Its artists
include such popular names as George Winston and Shadowfax. While
strongly expressing their commitment to creative over monetary
values, they explicitly deny any commitment to the New Age
movement. Correspondingly, they do not pursue the more
"hard-core" New Age music (which Sutphen calls "Inner Harmony New
Age Music") that is used as background for meditation and healing
sessions. Instead, they have become associated with "New Age
jazz," a progressive blend of jazz, rock, folk, and other influen-
ces.
It is this jazz-oriented form of New Age music, along with the
electronic sound associated with names like Vangelis (_Chariots of
Fire_) and Tangerine Dream, that is played on most "New Age" radio
stations. Prominent among these is KTWV, Los Angeles ("The
Wave"), which is syndicating its programming nationwide.
The common thread that unites these otherwise diverse forms of
New Age music is supposed to be _feeling_ -- listening to them
generates a peaceful and uplifting mood.
How dangerous is New Age music, if at all? The primary means
for conveying spiritual influences through music is words. Since
most New Age music is nonverbal, except for song titles, this
opportunity rarely exists.
When it comes to melodies and rhythms, there is much greater
possibility than with words for the original intention to become
diffused in the medium. Thus, while the composer may intend to
elicit a particular mystical mood, the noninitiate listener simply
becomes more relaxed. I believe this would be the case with most
"inner harmony" New Age music.
After all, even when New Agers are specifically attempting to
induce altered states of consciousness through their music, much
of their applied theory is based on New Age presuppositions which
Christians would not be inclined to accept. These include belief
in the correspondence of particular sound frequencies with more
or less mystical levels of consciousness, and an equation of
certain relaxed or emotional states with mystical states. In any
case, by and large only the inner harmony school appears to be
seriously attempting such an effect.
The strongest potential for a truly _New Age_ musician to use
his music for the New Age cause would lie in live performances.
He could evangelize between tunes, or lead the group in a medita-
tion or visualization. For example, Hawaiian New Age musician
Robert Aeolus Myers likes to share the spiritual basis behind his
music with his audiences. "I just feel like there's a personal
responsibility to allow people the opportunity for awakening," he
explains. (Mike Gordon, "The New Age of Music," _Honolulu
Star-Bulletin_, 5 Nov. 1987.)
Additionally, some New Age melodies are so obviously patterned
after familiar mystical or meditative rhythms (e.g., the mystical
refrain "om") that their pagan associations are inescapable.
Listening to such music for entertainment or relaxation could
easily result in someone being stumbled -- either the listener or
another believer (see 1 Cor. 8).
Although these are valid concerns, I must say that I have
listened extensively to the Southern California New Age stations,
and have found almost nothing objectionable (though this does not
exonerate _all_ New Age stations _everywhere_. Some are clearly
New Age in every sense of the word). It would seem to me that if
the discerning Christian remains alert to the possibility of
undesirable influences occasionally coming through, he or she
could listen to the progressive varieties of New Age music, in
moderation, without ill effect.
Given the heavily mystical orientation of inner harmony New
Age music, I would advise against the Christian going out of his
or her way to listen to it. As a general practice, it is not wise
to passively submit to the influences of one who is seeking by
those influences to produce an unchristian effect. But if such
music happens to be playing within earshot (e.g., a relative or
fellow worker is listening to it), the likelihood of being
adversely affected is slight. And even then it would probably have
more to do with the Christian's _perception_ of the music (e.g.,
associating it with his or her past as a New Ager) than any
hypnotic or occultic power in the music itself.
-------------
End of document, CRN0006A.TXT (original CRI file name),
"How 'New Age' is New Age Music?"
release A, May 28, 1993
R. Poll, CRI
(A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in
the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
YOURS FOR THE ASKING
The Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the
late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- is a clearing house for current, in-
depth information on new religious movements and aberrant
Christian teachings. We provide well-reasoned, carefully-
researched answers to concepts and ideas that challenge orthodox
Christianity.
Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various
topics that is yours for the asking? We offer a wide variety of
articles and fact sheets free of charge. Our informative
newsletter is freely available upon request as well. Write or
call us today for information on topics of interest to you. Our
first-rate staff will do everything possible to help you.
Christian Research Institute
P.O. Box 500-TC
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
(714) 855-9926
---------------
End of file.