An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

never merely a noise but is the foundation of different cultures and can only be decodedaccording to the specific cultural values and interpretation. He uses the sound ofJamaican dancehall music in his illustration of the inter-related and inter-dependentpower of sound where Christians were resistant to dancehall sound, but nonethelesscould not be immune to the meanings of music derived from their own cultures. Thisarguably can be applied to all cultures, especially if music is viewed as part of peopleand their culture.Bec ford‟s approach has some similarities with biblical scholars‟ exposition of thecultural origins of music mentioned in the New Testament. Early Christian music hadits own origin in cultural traditions. In Ephesians, Paul implores the believers atEphesus to „speaach other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing andchanting in your hearts.‟ Muddiman‟s (2004) exposition of Ephesians asserts thathymns and spiritual songs were synonymous with psalms. These were already used inJewish worship and were adapted for Christian worship. In their commentariesConstable (2008) and Guthrie (2003) both suggest that spiritual songs put God incontrol and when God controls us we are joyful. With spiritual songs and joy comeshealing.9.3 Mood Enhancing Medical treatment: the Effects of OpioidsCommunity relationships elicit endogenous opioid mechanisms (Frecska 1989), witheffects on consciousness and health, including immune-system responses. Healingrituals use emotionally charged cultural symbols that have been cross-conditioned withphysiological and emotional responses, the endocrine system, and the immune system,287