Music talks? We thought that only words were used in speaking. Are we saying that music speaks as well? Yes, that is the lesson that Dr. Frank Garlock teaches us in the BBN BI course number 50300, The Study of Music. This course is full of practical truth for the believer that is often missed especially in our Christian world today.

Often much thought is taken in choosing words for songs but the music itself is neglected when choosing music for church. But if the words have one message while the music sends out quite another, there can arise confusion in the mind of the listener even though he or she may not even be aware of it. Dr. Garlock rightly teaches us that the most important consideration when choosing music to listen to personally as well as for church, is not what may please us, but what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:10 exhorts us to prove what is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. Because we are fallen people living in a fallen world, we have a bent toward that which is displeasing to the Lord. But as saved people, we should desire to train ourselves to only have that in our life that pleases the Lord. Of course, this must include the music that we personally listen to as well as that which we use to praise the Lord corporately.

Dr. Garlock, who is a very well-trained professor of music on the university level as well as the owner of a music company, gives many practical illustrations in this study of music. Most all of the many questions that will doubtless be raised by this important study are answered by Dr. Garlock in the 6 lessons. The student will likely want to listen to the lessons over and over again after completing the course requirements just to make the truths of these lessons a part of his thinking. Students will likely have some uncomfortable but needed truths brought to bear on our minds as we hear these lessons, but as Dr. Garlock points out all through this course, we must make it our aim to always search out and do what is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. Course number 50300, The Study of Music, will go a long way in making this worthy goal a reality in our lives in the area of choosing Christ-honoring music.