What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What biblical criteria are there for the choice of music in the congregation?"
Answer
Biblical music selection in the congregation is oriented toward the glorification of God and the edification of believers through spiritual songs, psalms, and hymns. The music should be pure, noble, and uplifting, to direct thoughts toward God and create an atmosphere of reverence and devotion. Crucially, the singing must be offered \"with spirit and understanding\" and from a heart filled with love.
Purpose and Character of Sacred Music
»Music was created to serve a holy purpose, to lift the mind to that which is pure, noble, and uplifting, and to awaken devotion and gratitude toward God in the soul. ... In our hymns we should strive to come as close as possible to the harmony of the heavenly choirs. ... Singing as part of worship is an act of worship just as much as prayer. The heart must feel the spirit of the song in order to give it the proper expression.«
Requirements for Singing in Worship
»How can those who have no interest in the Word of God be expected to sing with spirit and understanding? How can their hearts be in harmony with the words of a spiritual song? ... When people sing with spirit and understanding, heavenly musicians take up the melody and join in the hymn of thanks. ... It is not loud singing that is required, but clear intonation, correct pronunciation, and distinct articulation. Let God's praise be sung in clear, gentle tones, not with harshness or shrillness that offends the ear.«
Spiritual Criteria Instead of Mere Form
»Splendid vestments, beautiful singing, and instrumental music in the church do not evoke the songs of the angelic choir. In God's eyes these things are like the branches of a barren fig tree that bore nothing but pretentious leaves. Christ seeks fruit, principles of goodness, compassion, and love. ... A congregation may be the poorest in the land, without music or outward adornment, but if it possesses these principles, its members can sing, for the joy of Christ is in their souls.«
Order and Selection of Songs
»A preacher should not issue hymns for singing until it is ensured that they are familiar to the singers. A suitable person should be appointed to lead this practice, and it should be his duty to ensure that songs are selected that can be sung with both spirit and understanding. ... There should be system and order in this as in any other part of the Lord's work. ... Music should possess beauty, pathos, and power.«
Avoidance of Self‑Presentation and Worldliness
»Everything that is in any way connected with religious worship should be dignified, solemn, and impressive. ... The same applies to singing. You assume undignified postures. You use the full force and volume of your voice. ... This bodily exercise and the harsh, loud voice produce no melody for those who hear on earth, nor for those who listen in heaven. This singing is deficient and not acceptable to God as the perfect, gentle, sweet sounds of music.«
Congregational Singing as the Duty of the Whole Church
»It is the duty and privilege of the church to sing; a duty that it cannot fulfill through representatives any more than it can pray, repent, believe, or hope through representatives. No group of Christians ... will agree to stand or sit in silence and occupy a few thoughtless and frivolous persons to perform a part of the worship in its place.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
