Sound, Quantum Physics, and Ephesians 4:14

Sound, Quantum Physics, and Ephesians 4:14

So much noise (ha!) in the Charismatic world these days about quantum physics and the importance of sound regarding the supernatural working of the Kingdom of God. I hear about it almost everywhere I go. I went to a three day Prophetic Round Table where the opening word, which set the stage for the three days, was a vision someone said they received. The vision was of circuits—circuits beyond what could be counted, laid out next to each other like a deck of cards prepared for the game of match. There wasn’t a power source, so they were all inactive. (This is a paraphrase, but closely encapsulates the vision.) The interpretation, though I thought it represented churches not being hooked up to each other and the power of God, went along the lines of sound waves and quantum physics. The “visionary” got out the white board, drew parallel sound waves—like a music staff. I spent the whole three days kind of in a blur, wondering how they could get from that vision to that interpretation, and somehow accuse God of it. That was the beginning of my adventure in what I believe to be a wind of doctrine.

 Since the Round Table experience I have heard quantum physics come up at conferences and in sermons. The correct terms would be variations of resonance anyway. (Thank you BL & SR.) Resonance phenomena occur with all types of vibrations or waves. With this in mind, let’s search out some of the scripture texts I have heard regarding the misused term, “quantum physics,” considering whether or not it would it matter anyway, if the terms were correct. As a side note, if you feel compelled to use these physics terms in the context of scripture, it would do a great service to your hearers to takes some advanced physics classes first, so as not to give Christianity a bad name through your ignorance. 

Following are some of the proof-text for messages I have heard on this subject. Using each of these Biblical accounts, people have focused on the importance of the sound in each one. As if the sound was the focus and not the act of God, Who used seemingly foolish means in each. As you read through these scriptures consider what the outcome would have been if everything was done as it was, though only through natural means, as if God was not involved. (Another side note [Thanks Bryson]: Sound is important to God—God spoke in creation, Jesus is the Word of God, instruments' sounds invoke emotions and communicate things like love and battle cries ["For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?" 1 Corinthians 14:8].)

·      Gideon and the defeat of the Medians

·      Wall of Jericho falling down

·      1 Chronicles 25:1-7

·      Ezekiel and the Dry Bones

·      Pentecost

Gideon’s defeat of the Midians —Judges 7

Was it Gideon’s approach and the sound produced that conquered the Midianites or the power of God working through Gideon’s obedience to what God said? From Judges 7, “Then the LORD said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”” The Lord said, “I [the Lord] will save you.” It was not the sound of the pitchers breaking or the sounding of the trumpets—it was God Who caused the chaos in the Midian camp by using Gideon and the 300 soldiers who did it His way.

* See Below

 Joshua and the Wall of Jericho --Joshua 6

What if Joshua had just decided to march around Jericho and blow trumpets without God’s direct involvement? Just wondering. Would the Wall of Jericho have still fallen down? If the Lord had not said, “And the LORD said to Joshua, “See! I have given Jericho into your hand...do this...”” (Joshua 6) would the sound of the marching, the trumpets blasting, and the shouting have caused the Wall to fall? Interestingly, Rahab’s house, which was on the wall, didn’t fall.

1 Chronicle 25:1-7

I have heard teaching that the instruments actually create things in the atmosphere as they prophesy. Were the instruments actually prophesying in 1 Chronicles 25, as stated in messages I have heard, or were the people prophesying while they play instruments?  The three main people mentioned in 1 Chromicles 25 are Asaph, Heman, and, Jeduthun (Ethan), and their sons. These men wrote some of the psalms—many psalms are prophetic in nature. 1 Chronicles 25:1, “Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy [<05012>: To prophesy under influence of divine spirit; <05030>: spokesman, speaker, prophet. Both words are written in the Hebrew text of 1 Chronicles 25:1. It reads prophesy prophet…] with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was…” “[7]So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the LORD, all who were skillful, was two hundred and eighty-eight” Notice verse 7 says, “…who were instructed in the songs of the LORD.” This brings clarity to any ambiguity verse 1 may have. 

Peter Paul Rubens [Public domain], 

via Wikimedia Commons

These sons of Asaph, Heman, and Juduthun were prophesying with their mouths, as they played musical instruments, singing the songs of the LORD. Furthermore, the word “prophesy <05012>” is used 102 times. Every time it is of someone speaking and not once is it said of an instrument.  Also, how would the players have known they were giving thanks and praise (1Ch 25:3) if it was the instruments prophesying? “Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied <05012> with a harp to give thanks and to praise the LORD.”

The interaction of the prophetic and music is easy to see from Scripture. Following are two examples. However, many of the Psalms are prophetic themselves, tying music and prophecy together.

1Sa 10:5-6 has parallel terminology with the Spirit of God coming upon people [Saul] when instruments played, leading to prophesying. “After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying <05012>.Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy <05012> with them and be turned into another man.”

2 Kings 3:15-16 [Elisha speaking] “But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha and he said, “This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches…””

The Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37 and Pentecost in Acts 2

Both of these were mentioned in passing, emphasizing the importance of the sound in each. “There was a noise, and suddenly a rattling” when Ezekiel began to prophesy to the dry bones. I actually love that when God moves there is often noise and rattling. Heaven seems to be a pretty noisy place—except that ½ hour in Revelation. But, this has nothing to do with the need for noise or sound, or quantum physics for that matter, and everything to do with God, His Word, and the reaction of the natural world to His Voice. Sound waves are a product of God, not a substitute for God.

Pentecost had a sound as of a rushing mighty wind. I kind of like that the Holy Spirit can be noisy. I am noisy. He is noisy too. I know that must sound juvenile, but come on people, does there have to be some extra quantum sound associated with the Holy Spirit being poured out? Think about it…Here it is at last—Pentecost’s fulfillment, I think God wanted to make a little noise. When Passover was fulfilled the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. I think that was noisy too.

* I, Svickova [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons