Is Altar Music Manipulative?

Recently, I was presented with the question: “Do you think altar call music is emotionally manipulative?” It is a question that I had encountered seriously maybe once before, but this was the first time someone I knew personally brought up the question. It seemed worthy of thoughtful consideration and biblical study, so I am sharing a version of my response here in this blog.

Music at the end of the sermon became popular during the Second Great Awakening particularly with the ministry of Charles G. Finney, who was (notably) the first person to hire a full-time music director to accompany him in his itinerancy. This became the model in revivalism from Dwight Moody and his musical director, Ira Sankey, on to Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver, right through to the Billy Graham “trio” with Cliff Barrows (chorister) and George Beverly Shea (soloist). Ira Sankey, in particular, is known for programming popular musical styles before evangelistic crusade meetings began so as to affect the emotions of the masses in a way that inspired them to (1) return night after night and (2) walk the aisle in response to the altar invitation.

There is a unique biblical narrative in 2 Kings 3 where Elisha the prophet is sought out for counsel on whether three kings should go to war and if they will succeed in their campaign. Notably, when Elisha responds, he says, “Get me a musician” (2 Ki 3:15). In 1 Samuel, we know that David played the harp, which drove away the tormenting evil spirit. There is a biblical theology of music that includes the relationship of music and the emotions. The New Testament makes it complicated to develop any kind of theology of music because there are no instruments mentioned––only singing. This, of course, is why certain denominations are opposed to instruments in worship. They seek to be “like the early church,” which means “no instruments.” Interestingly, the Greeks were opposed to music that affected the emotions (which I find fascinating. They wanted music to be ordered, logical, and intellectual, so no emotions in music allowed!)

There are two reasons why I think the first century Christ-followers did not use instruments: (1) persecution—Christians were wise to not blow trumpets, play flutes, and beat tambourines because they were being persecuted—and (2) practicality—their worship gatherings were unorganized and unestablished, they met in homes and caves, etc., so they mostly sang, and did so until the organ was introduced a thousand years later… When the organ was brought into worship, it created quite a stir because it was perceived to be an intrusion upon the pure worship of only voices. Now, some church music historians refer to the organ as the “king of all instruments” for congregational singing because the acoustic pipe organ stands alone in its ability to replicate the human vocal process of breathing in and out to produce polyphonic sound.

All of this is to say, resistance to altar call music is certainly understandable. Having grown up in the church and experienced many altar calls, I know firsthand that music can become manipulative in those moments; however, giving the benefit of the doubt, I believe this is usually done with the best interest of people’s spiritual lives in mind. The “ramped-up” music (which I enjoy as much as or more than most!) is an effort to sway people who are away from God toward God. To the degree that God works through our emotions, which are ultimately part of God’s good design in human creation, we can be influenced positively to make a decision for Christ. I would, however, go one step further, which I hope to be sufficiently beyond the manipulative capability of altar call music. Back to 2 Kings 3:15, there is a spiritual effect—not merely an emotional affect—in Spirit-filled music. In Pentecostal vernacular, we call this anointing.

Certainly, we know that music can negatively influence people and can, at times, sadly, be associated with very foolish or even tragic decisions. (Music with dark, obscene, or explicit lyrics can plant bad ideas into moldable minds.) In the same way, music can also influence people positively. Even better than good vibes is when the music is not merely “happy” but inspired by the Holy Spirit. Only then can there can be a great impact made by the music. For example, if I play the endearing musical motif from the “Beauty and the Beast” theme song during prayer time, this pretty sound may affect someone’s emotions, but this cannot compare to the impact of the Spirit of God on the whole person when an anointed musician (like David playing his harp or Elisha’s musician friend) begins to play.

There is a metaphysical dimension to sacred music which transcends mere emotion, and that is the invocation of Truth in worship that is conveyed through the song, itself. If Elisha called for a musician to get a prophetic word from Yahweh, and David played the harp to drive an evil spirit away from Saul, then there is at least some sort of biblical theological precedent for the Holy Spirit to work through music to influence the hearts of people. When the musician is submitted to the Spirit, this can be a beautiful moment absent of manipulation but full of a kind of persuasiveness by which the emotional “self” of a person in the room is opened and lends itself toward the Lord, often either preceded or followed by intellectual ascent, and ultimately resulting in the transformation of the person. The goal is not manipulation, though there is no doubt that this can and does happen, but the goal is that the music should be presented, in the same way as the sermon and prayers during the gathering, with humility and sincerity. (Much more could be said about emotionalism in preaching or praying or any other act in corporate worship, but I think my time has expired!)

May God give us more musicians who are filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit so that when we, like Elisha, need a word from the Lord, an anointed musician can play an instrument in a way that creates an atmosphere where the Spirit of God can move among the people of God and speak a word to the people!