Mozart and Bible Study

I was listening to Mozart the other day.  It continues to stun me at how brilliant he was.  I took a music theory class back in High School and all I really remember was that it sure was confusing.  Sharps, flats, quarter notes, half notes, arpeggios, and time signatures.  I still sometimes have nightmares from “the circle of fifths.”  Needless to say, Mozart was brilliant.  However, wouldn’t it be odd if someone were to approach Mozart, when he was alive, and say, “You know, you don’t really need to study all of that ‘technical music’ stuff.  It’s better to get ‘heart knowledge’ of music than ‘head knowledge.’”  What would Mozart say about that?  Would it really be “better” for Mozart not to know how all the notes blend together or how a 6/8 time signature plays, or how various dynamics work within a given piece?  Of course we cannot know that answer but I believe the person who would propose such an idea would not be tolerated very long.  If someone were to ask this (though it would have been quite improbable), Mozart may have told them that it is by understanding the theory that he can make the wonderful music that he does.

I feel the same way when it comes to bible study.  One of the primary issues an aspiring theologian, like myself, has to deal with is the befuddlement and confusion of friends and loved ones.  I frequently hear phrases like, “Didn’t David say, ‘I will not meditate on things too lofty for me?’”  Or “wasn’t Paul a fool for Christ?”  Or “the Pharisees were theologians and we all know how Jesus treated them.”  One quip I heard recently (which just might be my favorite) in response to bible study was, “I resolved to know NOTHING but Christ and Him crucified.”  And, as in the earlier analogy, the constant grasping after “heart knowledge” at the neglect of “head knowledge” (as if the bible ever says that “head knowledge” was a bad thing).  Does anyone else see the problem with this attitude?

First of all, the bible never attributes Jesus disapproval of the Pharisees for them being theologians but for their injustice.  Next, “Christ and Him crucified” means a lot more than you think.   And yes, Paul was a fool for Christ but he definitely wasn’t speaking about his ignorance of the Hebrew scriptures (as evidenced by every letter he wrote).  Lastly, the bible irrevocably speaks of loving God with all your “mind” equally and as much as all your “heart.”  There is no unhealthy rivalry between one’s “heart” and ones “mind.”  Loving God means doing both.  Not only doing one and neglecting the other.  But is there a greater chance of arrogance? Yes.  Is there a greater chance of not trusting God?  Yes.  But this is true of having more wealth, power, or influence in every other sphere too.

Like Mozart, the student of the bible must dig through much of the “technical” and sometimes dry rot details in order to create and express something beautiful.  One of the deepest pains I have in reference to bible study is when I hear the word of God used erroneously or in a cheapened fashion because someone was too apathetic or undisciplined to search it out.  And I hear it all the time.  It is like using a wedding dress to wash the tires of a pick up truck.  The story of God is so precious: Creation, Covenant, Exodus, Kings, Exile, Messiah, Spirit, Church, Restoration…  When someone trades this story for a “bowl of soup” (non-historical spiritual truths or mere practicals on how to be a better person) my heart is pained.  It would be as if Mozart tried to write a song “off the cuff” without any knowledge of music.  Not pretty.

I do not mean this to be discouraging.  But when someone has heard the stunning music of Mozart or has seen the beautiful grand story of the bible, going back to ignorance is not an option.  ”What about worship?” One may ask.  ”Don’t you want to worship or do you just want to think all the time?”  I bet Mozart with all his knowledge of music still wept over a magnificent symphony from time to time.  I’m sure a cell biologist may still be filled with joy when his first baby boy is born.  I’m certain that an astronomer may continue to have his breath taken away by a beautiful sunset.  And bible students, much like myself, will still dance before the God of Israel when the old stories are being recited.  Complexity and simplicity are just not at war with each other  like we thought they were.

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