It isn’t the preachers and theologians who distribute truth.  Yes, they are the foundation where understanding of truth begins.  But it is the artists who take it to the masses.

I remember the story of William Wilberforce in his fight against slavery.  He was instrumental in getting it stopped.  But it wasn’t without help.  It took a preacher, John Newon, ex-slave owner and writer of Amazing Grace, himself – the politician, and surprisingly, a poet.

The message of Wilberforce was not taking root in the hearts of the people.  So he recruited the help of a poet who was chronically depressed and because of that, placed in and out of an insane asylum.  But this poet published anti-slavery poems in papers and flyers and through his poems, the anti-slavery moment took hold.

We truly underestimate the arts in their ability to train and educate.  Arts such as books, music, movies, paintings and more.  But the Scripture gets it right in several places.  One of which is here in Colossians:

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

We are to teach with all wisdom through songs?

Yep.

It’s why the theology of our songs matter.  The music opens our spirit and the words enter our hearts and minds.  They teach and admonish us, with wisdom hopefully.

Music is a good thing.  It is of God. Let’s use it even more for his glory and the edification and education of the saints.