Excerpt:

But David was also a musician. His “fingers tuned a psaltery.” Like a man tuning his violin, David prepared his instrument for playing. The writing of poetry, the making of a beautiful instrument, the tuning of it so that its music can be filled with beauty–David did all these things as a spiritual exercise to the praise of God.

There is something exciting here. How can art be sufficiently meaningful? If it offered up merely before men, then it does not have a sufficient integration point. But it can be offered up before God. David says, “And who shall tell my Lord?” That is, “Who shall tell my Lord that I made a beautiful instrument, who will tell Him that I tuned the psaltery, who will tell Him that I have written this poetry? Who will tell Him about my song?” Then David responds, “The Lord Himself, He Himself hears.” Nobody had to go and tell God. God knew. So the man who really loves God, who is working under the lordship of Christ, could write his poetry, compose his music, construct his musical instruments, fashion his statues, paint his pictures, even if no man ever saw them. He knows God looks upon them.

So you might say to David, “David, why do you sing? Just to amuse yourself? Only the little white-faced sheep will hear.” And David will reply, “Not at all. I’m singing and the God of heaven and earth–He hears my song and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.”

Art can of course be put into the temple. But it doesn’t have to be put into the temple in order to be to the praise of God.

–Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible: Two Essays
[Amazon]

• What is one thing that has ministered to you in a special way this year?
• What one thing you would like to see improved?
• What is one aspect of worship that God has grown your understanding of?

We, as leaders, would really like to know how you are doing and how we
can serve you better. We’re interested in every single one of you, and
even though there aren’t enough hours in a day to get face time with
everyone, there are other ways we can make sure you’re cared for and
you are heard–so your input and responses are appreciated.

If you are not comfortable with posting here, always feel free to approach
any one of the leaders and talk to them privately either in person or
otherwise.

I am not saying that the Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle of five thousand pieces and that all the five thousand pieces are provided, so that with time and thought the entire picture may be completed. Rather, I am suggesting that the Bible is like a jigsaw puzzle that provides five thousand pieces along with the assurance that these pieces all belong to the same puzzle, even though ninety-five thousand pieces (the relative figures are unimportant for my analogy) are missing. Most of the pieces that are provided, the instructions insist, fit together rather nicely; but there are a lot of gaping holes, a lot of edges that cry out to be completed, and some clusters of pieces that seem to be on their own. Nevertheless, the assurance that all of the pieces do belong to one puzzle is helpful, for that makes it possible to develop the systematic theology, even though the systematic theology is not going to be completed until we receive more pieces from the One who made it.