In Part One, I argued that every technological revolution expands human power while ethical reflection almost always lags behind innovation. Artificial intelligence may be the clearest example yet. The question before us is not whether AI will reshape our culture—it already is. The deeper question is whether we will shape its use before it quietly reshapes us.
For me, that question became personal through a conversation with my wise friend, Chris Koning.
“Scripture songs will endure, but other music from Earth may also be preserved. If we sing songs in Heaven that were once sung on earth, perhaps we’ll also sing the hymns of people like Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and John Newton.” - Randy Alcorn
“Perhaps unsurprisingly in a world of vapid, repetitive ‘praise’ music and ephemeral ‘pop worship’ hits, the old hymns of our faith—many musically gorgeous and lyrically deep—have not only endured but been rediscovered by younger generations.” - TGC
“In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-24, God provides guidance on making decisions. These instructions apply in every circumstance of life, including musical choice.” - P&D
“knee-jerk censoriousness rooted in politics is not the same as honest grappling by the thoughtful reader, viewer, or listener. Every conscientious person must consider these kinds of questions at some point. I think, for example, of my beloved Charles Dickens” - The Dispatch
“God desires music to be sung in an intelligible and a distinct manner, enabled by His Spirit so that both the text and music can be understood for the intended response (1 Corinthians 14:15).” - P&D
“Historically and currently, cultural anthropologists identify three primary subcultures: Folk, high, and popular/mass. According to musicologists, these subcultures also identify the three main musical genres.” - P&D
“The genre is rising in mainstream popularity.” - NPR
“An individual’s theology drives musical choice. The outgrowth of a biblical theology is spirit-filled singing coupled with gracious thanksgiving (Col. 3:16-17). There is also an emphasis on worshipping God with singing for His attributes and works (Ps. 95:1-6). Non-biblical theology is characterized by the ‘noise of war’ (Exod. 32:17) and insincere songs (Amos 6:5).” - P&D
“In Every Valley, Charles King, a professor at Georgetown University, describes this monumental performance in great detail. But his story begins many years earlier, charting Handel’s rise to celebrity status in one of the most polarized ages of British history.” - Plough
