Mahler and the Case for God: Symphony of God Woman’s Bible Study Lesson

Welcome back to Sunshine Whispers! I am so glad you took time out of your busy day to hang out with me for a minute. Today I want to share one last post in The Symphony of God Woman’s Bible Study Lesson Series. If you have been following this blog for any amount of time, you might have picked up on the fact that I am a musician. Well, it is true. I am privileged to play the violin in a fantastic community orchestra with many other phenomenal musicians. Over the years, our conductor/music director has exposed us to many of the great orchestral masterpieces. So, what does that have to do with God? Read on to find out!

mahler and the case for god

The Symphony of God Woman’s Bible Study Lesson: Mahler and the Case for God

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities– his eternal power and divine nature– have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” ~Romans 1:20 (New International Version)

“Music is, to me, proof of the existence of God. It is so extraordinarily full of magic, and in tough times of my life I can listen to music and it makes such a difference.” ~Kurt Vonnegut

I was very fortunate because I grew up in a Christian home. My Dad was a minister, my Grandfather was a minister, my Grammie taught the Nursery class in Bible School, and my Mom was a leader in the Woman’s Ministry. I went to youth rallies, Bible camp, a Christian university. Even when I went through a prolonged valley in my faith, I never doubted the existence of God.

However, I am confident that even if I had never stepped foot in a house of worship, I would be compelled to believe in God because of the evidence of His divine nature. Romans 1 talks about how God’s divinity is plainly evident just by witnessing the glory of His creation. I completely agree with that sentiment… but I want to tell you that it is more than just the majesty of the mountains, or the simple beauty of a tulip that convinces me to believe in the existence of God. As a musician, I firmly believe that the glory of God’s creation is also clearly manifested in us, His most prized creation. I believe that when we create, we are giving testimony to God in our creation. It is our divine spark that provides proof of a Creator, just as plainly as the rainbow after a storm.

For many people, this might be a little hard to believe… mostly because they do not sense that divine spark in their own abilities, their own nature. However, just like God created both Mt. Rainier.. and the hill in the back of my house, it is the great artistic masterpieces that provide the best defense for the existence of God.

Take Mahler for example. His orchestral works are so masterful, so moving that, as both a musician and audience member, I have felt like my soul was literally soaring to heaven while experiencing his music. It is not unheard of for a faith skeptic to be persuaded to consider the existence of God after experiencing Mahler’s First (Titan) Symphony.

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Would you like another example of a great musical masterpiece that will rock you to your core? How about Verdi’s Requiem?

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Or, maybe the finale of Respighi’s Pines of Rome?

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When you think about it though, it isn’t just the great orchestral masterpieces that clearly point to a divine Creator. What about great works of art? Spend a day at the Met, or MoMA, or the National Gallery of Art. What does it take to be able to create works of art that simply take your breathe away?

Or, what about that perfectly grilled steak? Those gooey chocolate chip cookies? A novel as perfect as Pride and Prejudice? Or even the developing ability of my 2 year old to color in a straight line? That creativity.. that ability to create, comes from a Creator. We are made in God’s image and when we create, we are providing proof of the divine.

Isn’t that amazing? So, the next time your skeptical friend wants proof of a living God, you can take them on a hike… or you can take them to the symphony. Either way, what they will witness will be more compelling than any academic argument in existence. That is because what they will witness will be a direct reflection of God.

Thank you for tuning in (pun intended) and stick around for the Thoughtful Thursday linky party!
Sara

 

 

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