Deep, eternal, resonant.
by Dave Skipper

This is a summary version of the original article What Word?
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The word on noise is… deep

• A great noise performance can electrify the senses, invigorate the mind, and move the soul.
• Noise can help us grapple with – and see insights into – the very nature of reality.
• Any meaningful interaction with art can be a deep experience. To ponder and dissect these experiences requires a corresponding depth of words. Words can enhance our appreciation and understanding of art.
• The Bible is the deepest word there is. It is thrilling and relevant. It can deepen our appreciation and understanding of noise/music in its nature, function, and power.

The word on noise is… eternal

• The word of God is indestructible and incorruptible: …the word of our God endures for ever. (Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬)
• 1- The word of God is his creative word:
  • By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. ‭(Psalm‬ ‭33:6‬)
  • Every noise-maker and all natural noises are created by God. Every potential noise there can ever be finds its context and origin within the possibilities that God has placed in the world. The universe is infused with his personal stamp.
• 2- The word of God is his sustaining word:
  • The Son [Jesus] is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. ‭(Hebrews‬ ‭1:3)
  • Every atom, every noise, relies moment by moment on God’s deliberate presence and involvement. This inescapably imbues all noise and noise-making with value.
• 3- The word of God is his written word: the Bible.
  • All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful… for every good work. ‭(2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬)
  • The Bible is the essential foundation and source for living and thinking, including the potentially ‘good work’ of making noise music!
• 4- The word of God is his living word: Jesus.
  • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. ‭(John‬ ‭1:1,14)
  • Jesus displays, communicates, and makes physically explicit who God is. He is the final and ultimate revelation of God.
  • …all things have been created through him [Jesus] and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)
  • Jesus is the source, the focal point, and the culmination of all things. Therefore noise in all its forms is ultimately meant to direct us to Jesus and to contribute to the declaration of his glory.

The word on noise is… resonant

• Resonance entails convergence and unity and accentuation of vibration, for example yielding screeching self-oscillations or destructive shakings.
• In relationships or conversation, to resonate means to deeply identify or agree with someone.
• The connections between the word of God and the world of noise resonate. They are amazing and invigorating and humbling.
• The word of God is both the first word and the last word.

Word
On
Noise:
Deep,
Eternal,
Resonant