I am a songwriter and for the past two years I have been traveling with a group of friends that are also songwriters; together we are called Mosaic. You probably haven’t heard of us, but if you have then you know that our vision and purpose is to “teach God’s Word through music.” What you might not know is that this hasn’t always been our vision and purpose. Though it seemed obvious to those who were acquainted with our music, it took us some time to realize what God was doing in and through our group.
My passion for sharing biblical truth through music was ignited when I realized that really all music is teaching something. Or maybe it’s better said this way; all music is telling the greatness and value of something. I don’t mean to say that all music is “serious” in the sense that its intended purpose is to infiltrate the mind with new thoughts and ideas, but I am saying that all music is created; and created things always reflect their creator. A piece of art is naturally going to tell you something about the artist, and in that way it is teaching you.
Artists are story tellers and emotion stirrers. Songs are especially meant to celebrate, mourn, and/or re-live something of value to the artist. Sure, it’s true that there are those songwriters out there that are a part of machine whose job is to crank out songs about pretty much “anything,” but this “anything” still has to be something that sells. Even these “anything” songs reflect and give voice to values and beliefs held by both of the contributors to the creation; the artist and the culture. This is why we have so many songs about love, sex, heartbreak, revenge, youth, fame, and wealth. Our songs reflect us.
So, from Lady Gaga to Stephen Curtis Chapman, all artists are telling and teaching you something through their art. Mosaic has just decided to be very intentional about this telling and teaching by being up front with the fact that our desire is to exalt and explore the truth in God’s Word. Since I am passionately a part of this mission with Mosaic, I obviously think that putting biblical teaching in music is important. However, I think that it is especially important at this time because I get the sense that we, as Christ followers, are hesitant to create and exalt art that really explores and tells what we believe to be true. It seems we are afraid to “step on toes” and take steps outside of the realm of inspirational in regards to how we present our faith because publicly exploring our faith through our music might make people uncomfortable. The main problem with this is that the world is obviously not afraid of making people uncomfortable with their beliefs. They are proud of their beliefs, not ashamed. Everyday there are new songs displaying the religion of self-love. Songs that flamboyantly celebrate and worship self-love. Songs that bitterly mourn over the abuses to self-love.
I’m not saying that believers shouldn’t listen to secular music. The goal isn’t to censor one another because we shouldn’t be surprised at this point that we believe different things. In fact, it’s probably a good thing for us to know what is being believed and taught outside of our subculture for the sake of knowing how to fight for the truth. I’m really just meaning to point out the need for music that celebrates and explores, without fear or falsity, what we believe to be true. I’m just pointing out the need for music that truly resonates with our burning thirst to know Christ through His Word. We need music that tells our story. We need music that teaches us and reminds us that His Word is true and steadfast. We need songs that stir within us a longing for our home so that we don’t get too comfortable down here. We need songs that will renew our minds daily as the Holy Spirit does His transforming work in our hearts. We need to explore the deep mysteries and truth of God’s Word through our music.
The Lord has done different things in each heart within Mosaic to bring us to one united vision, but this is how I came to embrace the mission of teaching and singing about the Word of God. So far, it’s been and honor, a privilege, and a true joy.
About the author:
Jonathan Taylor Martin is a singer / songwriter from the Christian band Mosaic based in Nashville, Tennessee and runs the blog site "Authentic Faith."
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