Catholic Music vs Protestant Music (1 Cor 10, 23)

What is Schism:

Schism is a term used to refer to the separation or division of the members of

an organization or community.

Schism of the East and the West

In religion, the Schism of East and West refers to the break of relations that occurred in the
year 1054, between the Pope (the supreme representative of the Roman Catholic Church) and the patriarch
Ecumenical of Constantinople (representative of the Orthodox Church).

In that Schism, both Patriarch Michael Cerularius excommunicated Pope Leo IX, as well as the pope did.
with this, therefore, both representatives carried out the mutual excommunication.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that the Orthodox Church represents Eastern culture and language.
Greek and the Catholic Church is the one that belongs to the Latin-speaking Western culture.

Now, this historical fact is also known as the Great Schism, as it was an important
religious and cultural event that caused the division between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

However, this division had already been brewing several years earlier when, in the year 589, it took place in
Third Council of Toledo in which the term Filioque was coined, translated as 'and from the Son.'

This generated controversy, as it was interpreted in the Catholic Church that the Holy Spirit proceeds from
Father and the Son, but in the Orthodox Church it is held that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father.

Western Schism or Avignon: Three popes at the same time (1378-1417), Avignon, Rome, and Pisa

Luther's Schism: October 31, 1517 openly questions the Papacy, the extent of its authority,
the indulgences and a series of elements with which the great Reformation was launched,

Anglicans: King Henry VIII wants to divorce and the church does not allow it. It began
in England during the16th century. Its founder was King Henry VIII (1509-47) 1534

Calvinists: Calvinism is a theologyProtestantarisen in Switzerland during the16th century. Its creator

It was the French theologian John Calvin (1509-1564). From Switzerland, Calvinism spread to a large part
from Northern Europe, North America, and Southern Africa.

Calvinism upholds God's authority over all things, double predestination and
salvation only by faith.

What is music?

Music is the succession of sounds and silence organized over time. This has several
functions: the artistic function which is considered by many as its main function, but there are others,
as military, educational or therapist (music therapy) and religious.

Music can be divided into three basic elements: melody, rhythm, and harmony.

Rhythm

To accept the rhythm as a gift from God means, first of all, to accept songs of all kinds of
rhythms. Even if they are new to us, for example, Sister Glenda has her style, Jesed. Martin Valverde

If all our songs have a similar rhythm or - what is worse - we sing them with a rhythm
similar, we are not reflecting the infinite richness of our creator and the variety of all that comes from
his hand.

One of the difficulties that older people have with 'modern' songs is their rhythm.
However, they are a wealth given by God Himself who inspired other more traditional songs; if He us
with an open mind and a little patience we can learn them correctly and share this
wealth.

In the time dedicated toessayof songs, which should be there before a common celebration and prayer,
Getting used to the rhythm of singing should be the first thing, since it is usually the most difficult.
Hello, before singing the melody, we can mark the

rhythm at the same time we sing the lyrics.

2. Melody

The vast majority of our melodies are made up of just ten notes.

It is God who has given us this impressive wealth of songs, resulting from the almost infinite
combinations made with those ten notes, the experiences, lives,intuitionsprophecies, words
inspired by brothers and sisters from all over the world

and from all eras, expressed through music are an immense treasure that we can all
share.
To do this, it's key to enter into the intimacy of a melody in order to understand it and, if possible, to live it.
what the composer wanted to express.

Capture the fundamental feeling or intuition of a song and its nuances, through its melody.

3. Harmony

It has been God who has created the diversity of voices: male or female voices, tenors or basses,
sopranos or contraltos.

The singing in multiple voices is a reflection of the mystery of God and His plan for us as a Church: Unity.
in diversity.

If each one of us contributes to the collective song according to our characteristics of

the voice that the Lord has given us, we will sing better, harmoniously, without damaging or tiring
unnecessarily our throat, and the result will reflect much better the multifaceted wisdom of God.

A "precursor" of the Charismatic Renewal, John Wesley, summarized his instructions in five rules.
relation to this gift of singing (Complete Works of John Wesley, vol. 14, p. 346):

Let everyone sing.

Sing joyfully and with spirit.

3. Sing humbly, to sing united and in harmony.

4. Sing to the same rhythm.

Above all: Sing spiritually.

Protestant music:

Luther broke those strict divisions and transformed Christian musical life, which for him was not just
for distant priests and choirs, but was 'next to theology' and was 'a gift from God'.

And, as such, it should be accessible to everyone. "By beautifying and ornamenting their melodies in a way
magnificent, the singers can lead others to a heavenly dance," he said.

The singing in Latin was replaced by everyday German, and that style became a key part of the
identity of its followers.
Its use of German hymns was an important signal of change," explains Andreas Loewe, dean of
St. Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia, and an expert on Luther.
It was something as obvious as having married priests or being able to receive, as a layperson, a cup of wine in the
Holy Communion

And Luther not only promoted music for abstract reasons of faith, but he understood its power to
spread the message.

He added religious lyrics to recognizable traditional songs, as happened in the 20th century.
We Shall Overcome, a gospel-origin theme, turned into a hymn of the Movement
of civil rights in the U.S.

That initiative was especially useful in a time of ignorance, as even illiterate people
About 85% of the German population in 1500 could learn songs and transmit them.
quickly.

Characteristics of Catholic music

Despite appearances, it must be said that this type of music has come to develop in genres as
allocated like rock, as many consider that it can also be modern and fun. This is something
that depends on everyone's taste but is still curious. The most usual styles do not
However, it is ballads and pop, due to their lesser complexity.

Other features to highlight are the following:

The use of themes that allude to Catholicism. This includes characters such as saints or Jesus,
among others that may appear mentioned within the Bible, which is the main written source for
the Catholics. The songs can also talk about specific passages within it.

Many positive feelings are exalted, such as love, friendship, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
For Catholics, it is very important to teach others to behave according to this type of
values.

It is common to have songs for praise or worship. These talk about the
the feeling that Catholics have when believing in God and being happy about it. The lyrics of
these compositions talk about it with themes such as hope and the ability to forgive.

Songs can be performed by a wide variety of people. It is common to see choirs.

formed by children and young people, but also adults who perform individually and in groups,
the compositions that are part of this genre.

Sometimes, each song is accompanied by gestures or certain dance movements. This is

more noticeable among Christians; although Catholics also do it as a way of
infect those who listen to them.

Use of metaphors related to things in Catholicism, such as bread and wine.

Catholic music is not only played during Masses or specific ceremonies. It is also
fundamental in spiritual retreats, common parties, and even family gatherings, where people
gathers to pray on special occasions, such as Christmas celebrations for example.

This type of music is often used as a tool as well, to help people who
they have problems related to alcohol, drugs, depression, or so many that have become
common today. Providing support to community members is something that in the Catholic religion
many are willing to do, and a song is a good start for them.

Protestant music is not bad for what it says, rather, it is not advisable for what it does not say.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Song and music

The musical tradition of the universal Church constitutes a treasure of inestimable value that stands out
among other artistic expressions, mainly because sacred singing, combined with words,
constitutes a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgySC112). The composition and the singing of
inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely
linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this
tradition: "Speak among yourselves psalms, hymns, and inspired songs; sing and make melody in your heart.
"heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19; cf Col 3:16-17). "He who sings prays twice" (Saint Augustine, Enarratio in)
Psalm 72:1

1157 The singing and music fulfill their function as signs in a way that is all the more significant as
"are more closely linked to the liturgical action"SC112), according to three main criteria: the
expressive beauty of the prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated times and the
solemn character of the celebration. They thus participate in the purpose of words and actions
liturgical: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful (cfSC

How much I cried upon hearing your hymns and songs, strongly moved by the voices of your Church,
how softly it sang! Those voices entered my ears, and your truth melted in me
heart, and with this, the affection of pity was inflamed, and the tears flowed, and I was well with them (Saint
Augustine, Confessions 9, 6, 14.

The harmony of signs (song, music, words, and actions) is all the more expressive and fruitful.
the more it is expressed in the cultural richness of the people of God that celebrates (cfSCThat's why
Encourage with determination the popular religious song, so that in the pious and sacred exercises
in the same liturgical actions," according to the norms of the Church, "the voices of the faithful resonate"
(SCBut "the texts intended for sacred singing must be in accordance with Catholic doctrine;
Furthermore, they must be taken mainly from the Holy Scripture and from liturgical sources.SC121).

Sacrosanct Council

Qualities and mission of composers

121. Truly Christian composers should feel called to cultivate sacred music and to
increase their treasure.

Compose works that present the characteristics of true sacred music and that can not only be
sung by the major 'Scholae cantorum', but also accessible to the choirs most
modest and promote the active participation of the whole assembly of the faithful.

The texts intended for sacred singing must be in accordance with Catholic doctrine; furthermore, they must
to draw mainly from the Sacred Scripture and from liturgical sources.

Any type of song or chant that has "lyrics" will always carry the mark of the author who created it.
he composed. In the case of Protestant songs, it is the same.

One cannot separate the 'theology' or beliefs of the separated brethren from the lyrics of their songs. To think
this is something very naive. On many occasions, the Catholic sings praises and at the same time acquires
"phrases" and "ideas" in pure Protestant style. An example of this is hearing repeatedly in some laypeople
Catholics 'the blood of Jesus covers us', exactly that is what Luther said, while we believe
that not only covers us as something merely external but also transforms us internally and us
sanctify. These and other phrases like: "only Jesus saves"; "we are saved by faith"; "I am saved"; "it is not necessary
nothing but Christ" "religions do not save" are absorbed by listening to Protestant songs, radio
protestant, protestant preachings, protestant television, etc.

This makes it easier for the 'identity' of the Catholic to gradually fade away. Reality teaches us that many
times like this was how some started and then ended up in a cult because an environment is created of
admiration, where the foundation of faith is the nice feeling or the emotion. There are even Catholic composers.
that have praises with very marked errors about faith due to evangelical influence. Some time ago
At a time similar to this, Father Zezinho, who is one of the great composers of music, stated that.
Catholic and said that it was necessary to take better care of this aspect and to review the lyrics of the songs that
they make up without any guidance.

Unfortunately, there are 'committed' Catholics who use the reason to say that 'no
There is nothing wrong with them 'liking' that music.

This way of thinking is based on very poor criteria, as it disregards any objective criterion and its
the only basis is "taste" or feeling, as if what matters is that it sounds nice. It resembles the
catholic who listens to the protestant preaching because he also 'likes' it and feels good. This attitude does not
it has nothing to do with authentic ecumenism but rather it is a naive ecumenism where
the guidelines of the teaching are set aside for its application. He has never read the
"Unitatis Redintegratio" and "Ut unum Sint" in the directory on ecumenism and thinks that it is
practicing ecumenism by listening to Protestant songs. It is no wonder there is so much confusion even among people who
provides a service within the Catholic Church.

3.- When a committed Catholic continuously listens to evangelical songs, what does he do?
Many times it is to spread those ideas and divisions.

What could I answer to someone who is listening to him and asks where they can buy that cassette? Perhaps
He's going to tell you: go brother to a Protestant bookstore, they sing very beautifully? In reality, it would be a fault.
of coherence between what one preaches and what one believes.

4.- In addition, if someone agrees to listen to the songs, then they would also have to accept the
Protestant preachings and Protestant literature,

Well, music is just a means of transmission, oral language is another, and printed language is yet another.
The result is an ecclesial relativism where being Catholic is like wearing 'another shirt' and changing it.
when they no longer like it.

5.- Saint Paul says: "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial."

This is a path to follow for the person who is truly committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is
things that, although they were not bad, the apostle says, he would still not do. The reason is that in order to win
people for Jesus Christ can stop doing it.

6.- In fact, one of the hooks that cults use is precisely singing to attract people.
It's like the 'cheese' that is placed for the mouse in the trap.

Normally when they create a new "sect" the first thing they buy is the "sound" for the music. A
An example of how to attract people is Marcos Witt, who spends time at congresses of all kinds.
evangelical sects, even the most anti-Catholic and anti-ecumenical. The confused Catholic goes to feel
nice and ends up thickening the ranks of a religious sect.

Why listen to things different from our faith when we have such great spiritual treasures in songs?
Catholic Church? (Martín Valverde; Silvia Mertins; Jorge Gomez; Sandy Calderas; P. Zezinho; P. Cesareo)
Gabaraín. P. Emilio and many more.

Why instead of that don't we invest time and money in Catholic praises and preachings to
deepen our faith?

Wouldn't it be better to sing the faith we received from Our Lord through the Church that He left us?