WILLIAM H. writes from the Netherlands:

Recently I came across this blog post by Peter Hitchens, the brother of atheist Christopher Hitchens, and it made me think of my own story.

Classical composers did not really get any time in my high school (I was at the Athenaeum in the Netherlands then.) And much work was made there of praising the teachers’ personal heroes of the sixties, such as Bob Dylan and the Stones. After my time there I went on a long “career” into rap, house and other “hip music” which ended in 2004. I learned many things then and after, by reflecting on the “scenes,” the people and the very essence of the technology and mindset that produces these genres.

I tell you this so you may perchance be lifted up by two related anecdotes I will share with you:

It happened in the years after my rap “career” (spanning much of two decades since the late 80’s) when I was still quite attached to synthetic music production technique and music produced by it. The first insight was when I was recording a classical harp composer and player who happened to love Bach. I sneeringly commented that I did not like all that “fiddling” and “piano-tingaling.” “Far too many notes!” I said, not having any real idea of this music at all.

The man was stunned.

His face just froze and he didn’t say anything back at all.

I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so genuinely and truly offended as him, then or ever after. I am now deeply ashamed of what I said.

The second turning point happened a year later, when I wanted to demonstrate some new “track” I had produced to my brother-in-law, an accomplished  home pianist and also a great lover of Bach. He remarked — clearly bored with it, but also in a playful, passionate way, “That’s not music, Bach is music!” And he walked away.

I remember very vividly the sting of pain in my chest when he said that, but at the same time I knew in my mind he was absolutely right. The problem was, I figured, not with Bach, but that I never had taken the time to learn to appreciate him.

Since that very moment I went ahead and bought many CD’s from thrift shops (for very little money at all) and started to listen to them. My tastes started to change and so did my appearance, speech, pastimes, etc. I find myself today in our home where even our children sing classical tunes while playing with their toys. Who would have thought that this angry, frustrated young man who made a mockery of himself in dress, speech and “art” would one day have children singing Bach? (Or folk. We listen to and sing that a lot too.) That’s not just “growing up”, because I have actually understood whý it is “better-than-pop,” how it is all connected and how vital it is to educate one’s mind, sharpen one’s tastes and curb one’s appetites.

I am very grateful for a brother-in-law who not only preaches the Gospel everywhere he goes (literally) but also spoke the truth without worrying about my “feelings.” So speak the truth and know that people cán change. Even “rappers” who despised everything good in favor of ugliness and still called themselves “Christian.” (We made “holy hip hop” which for some reason was supposed to be better than “secular” hip hop. How we fool ourselves in our sin, don’t we?)

Needless to say my old rap-companions are absolutely baffled by the change and seem to think I have become one of the Evangelical “music police.”

Please follow and like us: