The Power of Music: God's Call to Change the World One Song at a Time

by Michael L. Brown

Music can either connect you to God or drive you to the devil.

God created the human race to enjoy music and to make music, and through music the world has been dramatically changed—for good and for evil. In this fascinating book Michael L. Brown takes the reader on a journey through the history of music—from classical to rock and from hip-hop to gospel—showing just how transformative music has been and how much God wants to use it to change the world again.

Brown contends that it is time for all Christians to make a concerted effort to recover the potential of anointed music and song—in our assemblies and in society, in our services and on the streets, in studios and in schools. The counterculture revolution of the 1960s only succeeded with the help of satanically inspired music and mind-altering drugs. Could it be that today’s Jesus revolution can only succeed with the help of Spirit-inspired music and a life-altering encounter with God? What else will produce the necessary change in our perspective?

After reading this book, believers will never again listen to music the same! They will finally understand its power and divine origin, but more importantly they will know how God wants to use it to usher in a global outpouring that will change the world forever.

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2019

About the author

Michael L. Brown (born March 16, 1955) is a Messianic Jewish Old Testament scholar, professor, activist, itinerant speaker, and author who has preached in numerous countries and written twenty books. He is the founder and president of ICN Ministries. His writings have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He was married to Nancy Gurian on March 14, 1976 and they have two daughters, Jennifer and Megan, and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Power Of Music by Michael L Brown is a comprehensive guide exploring in depth, the power of music in the secular and the Christian markets. “The God who gave us words gave us music too.” The psalms were written to be sung along with musical accompaniment. King David loved his music and was even accused of being ‘undignified’ when dancing his praises. Music has the power to move us greatly and overflows into our feet.
Music has the power to unite. People down the ages have bonded over music. There are soundtracks of generations. Musical styles vary but each generation develops its own particular style.
A song has the power to transport you back through time. We all have special songs that evoke special memories. Songs are not just for the ear, the whole body is involved. Remembering songs will sometimes make us remember sights and smells too. It is so much easier to remember lyrics than those important dates for a history test!
Film soundtracks have power. The music directs are emotions and responses. Without the music to guide us, would we really ‘jump’ during scary films?
In recent years the Christian music scene has exploded. Worship styles in churches may vary from the traditional to the Hillsong style. Age old hymns are sung along with brand new worship hits such as What A Beautiful Name It Is.
Some songs stand the test of time. Down the generations Amazing Grace has always been popular. It has a powerful backstory too with John Newton being a former slave trader. Many songs have a story attached – such as the protest songs against the Vietnam War. Songs were written with the express purpose of uniting a people or a cause.
Music has the power to be used for good or evil. It can lift our moods and guide our hearts.
I found The Power Of Music a fascinating read. Full and comprehensive, covering all sorts of different mass market and Christian music. A fabulous read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Giuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information about music through history. Great source for Senior Capstone.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Power of Music by Michael L. Brown

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Dr. Michael L. Brown brings to readers an intense study of how music is important to the mind, body and soul.

Everyone has a favorite song. One that brings you joy, memories, excitement, etc.; we all have one. Music is such a prevalent part of our society that even waiting on hold requires music to be played to entertain us. We are beings created with the ability to appreciate and celebrate music and use it to either enrich or escape from our lives. We use it as a way to paint a picture of what is good, wonderful and pleasing in our lives or to illustrate what is wrong or needs to be changed. Music has started and supported revolutions for years and it has given voice to people who otherwise were not being heard. These are some of the main points of Dr. Brown’s interesting book on music in our society. I enjoyed reading this walk through history and how music was able to shape events. How easily we forget the battle cry of historical events, but almost never the songs those times produced. I learned a long time ago that music was important in my own life. As a child, I would have trouble with math concepts and my mom purchased tapes to help me learn. I learned my multiplication and division tables to rap music and still recall those songs when I am faced with a numbers problem. Certain songs became the embodiment of my life at times and gave me an outlet for anger, pain, joy or celebration. This is the same for others, according to Dr. Brown, and has even set the tone for societal and historical events. People can find unity in music that no other medium allows. But a tool this powerful should be used with caution. As the above description says “Music can either connect you to God or drive you to the Devil”. I agree with Dr. Brown as I see the divergence of music better now that I am an adult. The most popular songs on radio or social media today are definitely driving (or hurtling) people in the direction of the Devil and his purposes. What used to be only intimated by a song is now blatantly and explicitly belted out. I am thankful that there has been an abundance of good Christian music that has been released in the past 10 years and I’m hopeful that others will soon follow. I also agree with Dr. Brown that we need more songs that get to the heart of people’s problems with the same directness that popular music exhibits. And even though I am a consumer of music rather than a publisher or writer, I do think it is my job as a Christian to help promote and spread the message of Hope that is so desperately needed in our world. As a children’s choir teacher, I am so pleased to see the uplifting and incredible songs that the children at our church are learning. Hillsong’s “Who You Say I Am” sounds even more amazing when sung by exuberant little voices yell-singing out “….I’m a child of God! Yes, I am!” This is the incredible truth that needs to be heard by so many hurting, broken people and this is what Dr. Brown is illustrating in his book. What if instead of pre-teen and teenagers knowing every disgusting lyric to Ariana Grande’s or Taylor Swift’s latest hit, they had Chris Tomin’s “Jesus” or Kari Jobe’s “I Am Not Alone” memorized? What if teen and young adults looking for a rap or rock outlet found that in Kirk Franklin, Toby Mac, Capital Kings, Skillet, Kutless, or Thousand Foot Crutch? It would revolutionize the society we live into a more positive and God-fearing outlook. Music is powerful in its multitudinous abilities and we have to be very careful which forms we allow into our homes, minds and lives. Dr. Brown’s research of this topic was wonderful and while sometimes a bit beyond my understanding because of generation gap, I did learn a lot about the effects of music in the 60s, 70s and 80s. The themes have carried far beyond those times and have become ingrained into many people’s thought processes today. I also liked his little additional stories entitled “Vignettes” that ended the chapters and gave further context or understanding. They made the chapter a little more personal and I identified with several of them. I will certainly recommend this book to others as I think more people need to understand the deep impact music does and can have on our lives.

I received an ARC of this book from Charisma House in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from Charisma House for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brown begins this book reminding us how much singing is found in the Bible. Then he goes into the power of music in reflecting and shaping culture. He writes of his own personal experiences with secular music. He says of a Jimi Hendrix concert for example, “You didn't just listen to their music, you experienced it.” (p.2) He also writes of studies of music and the brain.

Brown includes much about secular music, such as rock music, protest music in the Viet Nam war era, the civil rights era, rock and roll, heavy metal, punk, and rap. He writes about the spiritual and sexual side of that music too. I read lots more about bands and individual musicians in those areas than I ever wanted to. In fact, I skimmed over much of that information because it was mostly information I was not at all interested in. There is much about the power of music in this book but not the power and the music I want to know about.

Brown spends a great deal of time proving the power of music using secular music. He argues periodically that if Christians want to get a message out to society, that message needs to be put to music. (p. 119) A little over half way through the book, he returns to the importance of music in the Bible and Jewish tradition.

Brown wants to see music used more powerfully in the church such as in worship services. He also desires songwriters use their work as a prophetic force.

This is, perhaps, a book for those in the church who are musically or lyrically gifted. Brown urges them to write songs that will shake society, captivate hearts and impact souls. (p. 164) He is convinced God wants to use music as a part of a holy revolutionary movement. (p. 166) He gives suggestions for laypeople, ministers, and worship leaders, musicians and songwriters.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last two chapters is what I expected the whole book to be like. But after reading those last two chapters I can see why the author choose to wade through all the genres of music and how it has impacted society. So I am glad I didn’t stop reading too soon.

The author does an excellent job of showing the reader how different genres have effected society, and often times, negatively. He challenged the reader, especially if you are a songwriter and/or worship leader to focus on having that same impact for the Church.

I have never called myself a songwriter, but I have written many songs, but only a few for the Church, most are for my students. Why? I think I am afraid that they will be silly, that they will lack depth. But if my source is Jesus and the Word how could that ever be so?

The author has definitely stirred something up in me and challenged me to try to write some songs for the Church, songs with depth and good theology. Although, as a worship leader I do always strive for that in the songs that I pick each Sunday.

I think anyone who enjoys music and would enjoy a walk through history in the music world would benefit from this book.

A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.