Zach Uram's Blog

  • The Divine Connection in Bach’s Music

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    Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christian faith was not just a personal conviction; it was the foundational bedrock of his entire life and artistic output. As a devout Lutheran, Bach viewed music not as mere entertainment, but as a literal act of worship and a means to reflect the divine order of creation.

    Here is a breakdown of his faith and how it directly shaped his timeless music:

    An Orthodox Lutheran Conviction

    Bach lived during a time of theological tension between strict Lutheran Orthodoxy (which emphasized traditional liturgy, doctrine, and objective biblical truth) and Pietism (which emphasized personal emotion, inward devotion, and often eschewed elaborate church music).

    Bach firmly aligned with Lutheran Orthodoxy, but his music managed to bridge the gap. It possessed the rigorous, intellectual structure demanded by orthodox theology alongside the deeply personal, emotional intensity championed by the Pietists. His personal study Bible contained extensive handwritten notes, proving he was deeply engaged with scripture and theology.

    How Faith Influenced His Music

    1. The Theological Dedications

    Bach literally dedicated his work to God. On the manuscripts of his sacred works—and even many secular ones—he routinely penned specific Latin abbreviations:

    • S.D.G. (Soli Deo Gloria): “To God alone be the glory.” This was typically written at the very end of a composition.
    • J.J. (Jesu Juva): “Jesus, help.” This was often written at the beginning of a piece as a prayer for inspiration and strength.

    2. Music as a “Foretaste of Heaven”

    In Bach’s view, music was inherently divine. He famously wrote in the margins of his Bible that “where there is devotional music, God with His grace is always present.” He believed the primary goal of music was twofold: to glorify God and to refresh the human spirit. Because God created an orderly universe, Bach saw complex musical harmony and counterpoint as a way to mirror that divine order.

    3. Preaching Through Sound (Musical Theology)

    Bach’s vocal works, particularly his over 200 surviving sacred cantatas, the St. Matthew Passion, the St. John Passion, and the Mass in B minor, act as musical sermons. He used a technique known as text painting (or the Affektenlehre) to vividly illustrate theological concepts:

    • The Cross: When text referred to the crucifixion, Bach would often manipulate the musical notes to visually form the shape of a cross on the sheet music, or use sharp, agonizing dissonances.
    • The Resurrection: Words about heaven or rising from the dead were accompanied by rapidly ascending melodic lines.
    • Human Frailty: To represent sin or faltering faith, he would use unstable, chromatic rhythms and staggering basslines.

    4. The Mathematical Divine

    Bach’s use of complex structures like fugues and canons was deeply tied to his worldview. In a fugue, a single melodic theme is introduced and then masterfully woven across multiple voices, perfectly intertwining according to strict mathematical rules. To Bach, this intricate perfection was a way to express the flawless design of the Creator. He frequently hid numerical symbolism (gematria) in his music, using numbers that corresponded to biblical concepts or his own name.

    “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

    — Johann Sebastian Bach

    Through his unparalleled genius, Bach transformed Lutheran theology into a tangible, auditory experience, creating a body of work where art and absolute devotion are entirely indistinguishable.

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  • My Youth in Summertime

    It’s a scorching
    Summer day
    The sun beats down
    Much to my dismay

    I feel languid
    In this hot inferno
    I turn on my AC
    This heat needs to go

    I sip on an ice-cold
    Glass of iced tea
    Next, I guzzle a huge bottle
    Of ice-cold water you see

    I lay outside
    On a lawn chair
    I must be careful
    My skin is quite fair

    The sun blazes
    I sweat profusely
    So Mommy takes us all
    To the Brentwood pool quickly

    At home, we’d run through
    The lawn sprinklers
    It was so much fun
    From the hose we were drinkers

    The ice cream man came
    We had flavored ice
    And a foot-long licorice
    They tasted very nice

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • A Cozy Christmas Celebration: Traditions and Joy

    It’s Christmas Eve night
    We’ve waited all year for this time
    The falling snow is a beautiful sight

    Snow covers the ground
    It’s a gorgeous and serene scene
    It’s silent, I don’t hear a sound

    I sit with my sister Vi, you see
    Christmas carols are playing
    We watch the Christmas tree

    The colored lights are flashing
    At the top is a beautiful angel
    Decorations make the tree amazing

    We drink eggnog and eat fruit cake
    For Santa, we’ll leave milk
    And cookies we did bake

    We fall asleep
    Dreaming of the presents we’ll get
    Our excitement runs deep

    We woke up on Christmas Day
    Under the tree is a mountain of gifts
    The presents were there as we did pray

    To Jesus we sing Happy Birthday
    He is the reason for the holiday season
    Seeing all my presents took my breath away

    We had a great Christmas dinner
    Fresh kielbasa, halushki, baked ham, and more
    I felt like a winner

    We listened to Christmas carols on the radio
    We sang along with joy
    I lay on my pillow

    We were fast asleep
    This Christmas was so special
    The memories I made in my heart, I would keep

    by Zachsry Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • A Gospel Synopsis

    They scourged Christ
    Within an inch of His life
    He suffered for us
    Enduring much strife

    A crown of thorns
    Dug into Christ’s brow
    Before the Cross
    I bow

    At Golgotha
    Christ’s blood was shed
    After hanging for six hours
    He was dead

    He descended into Hell
    To set the captives free
    Christ paid the price
    For you and me

    On Easter Sunday
    The third day, Christ rose
    He defeated Satan, death, and sin
    No longer did He repose

    Christ will return
    We’ll meet Him in the sky
    He’ll rapture the Church
    Those left behind will cry

    Christ will come back to Earth
    He’ll enter Jerusalem’s Eastern Gate
    For a thousand years, He’ll rule
    We don’t know the date

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • Understanding Salvation Through Christ

    I had
    A heart of stone
    For me
    Christ did atone

    The natural man
    Is dead in sin
    But Christ was
    Our propitiation

    I was a wicked wretch
    Spiritually dead
    I had a strong sense
    Of doom and dread

    But God had chosen me
    At the Earth’s foundation
    I was born again
    Regenerated unto salvation

    This new birth was due to
    The effectual call
    By God’s sovereign grace
    We overcome the Fall

    Our faith is in
    Christ alone
    Before we’re saved
    To evil we’re prone

    This wondrous Christ
    This precious Lamb, who’s sinless
    I shall glorify Him forever
    I am His witness

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • Cherishing Childhood Memories Through Seasons

    Dancing under
    A willow tree
    I recall how
    It felt
    To be hyperactive
    I had
    Boundless energy
    I would literally
    Run around
    The black
    Over and over
    I never tired
    Spring was great
    Smelling the
    Beautiful flowers
    At Easter, I recall
    How wonderful
    It was
    To search for
    Our Easter baskets
    Loaded with
    Sweet treats
    Church on
    Easter Sunday
    At the Community
    Was very blessed
    Uncle Eddie
    Would preach
    A great sermon
    It was nice
    Being dressed up
    My sisters had
    Pretty dresses on
    In summertime
    We ran through
    The sprinklers
    In our backyard
    When thirsty
    We drank directly
    From our
    Water hose
    At night
    We collected
    Lightning bugs
    In glass jars
    We released them
    Later
    Going swimming
    At the
    Brentwood pool
    It was so much fun
    Especially
    In the morning
    And the water
    Was nice
    And chilly
    Autumn was
    Relaxing
    I loved walking
    To our school
    St. Sylvester’s
    Grade school
    The air was chilly
    You could exhale
    And see your breath
    The leaves underfoot
    Crunched
    Satisfyingly
    I love the
    Rainy days
    Halloween was
    Great fun
    We trick-or-treated
    For hours
    There was so much
    Candy it was
    Insane
    Thanksgiving
    Was so nice
    We had a feast
    Spending time
    With our grandparents
    Gramma and Pap Pap
    Her stuffing was
    Amazing
    And her turkey
    It was juicy and moist
    Winter was awesome
    It snowed
    Many times
    We went sledriding
    We made angels
    In the snow
    We had snowball
    Fights
    We made snowmen
    Christmas was
    Magical
    We always had
    A real live
    Christmas tree
    It was so fun
    Decorating it
    Mommy decorated
    The entire house
    It was so festive
    Christmas Eve
    We spent
    At Gramma and
    Pap Pap’s home
    We ate delicious
    Baked ham
    Pierogi and
    Fresh kielbasa
    Macaroni salad
    Paska bread
    Nut roll
    Poppyseed roll
    Pumpkin pie
    I was stuffed
    Then we opened
    A mountain
    Of gifts for
    My two sisters
    And myself
    These memories
    I cherish deeply
    We drove back home
    And went straight
    To bed
    We were so excited
    To see if Santa
    Came and left
    Us gifts
    We woke up at 6am
    Mommy and Daddy
    Were fast asleep
    We waited until 8am
    To wake them
    Then we tore into
    Our gifts
    We spent the day
    Playing with our
    New toys
    And Mommy made us
    A delicious
    Christmas meal
    These are the days
    Of my halcyon youth
    I will never forget

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • My Big Belly: A Whimsical Ode to Girth

    Here I go
    Tut tut tut
    Down the street
    I shall strut

    My belly is gargantuan
    Yes, my big gut
    Shall get me
    Out of a rut

    People will stare
    With awe at what they see
    I’m as proud
    As can be

    My big ol’ gut is happy
    As a clam
    When I smack my belly
    It goes bam bam bam

    I love to smack it
    Day and night
    Smacking my belly
    Is always a delight

    I smack it slow
    And I smack it fast
    Smacking my belly
    Is a blast

    People are impressed
    When they behold my girth
    I smack my belly
    From the moment of birth

    When women see my huge belly
    They swoon
    It generates more power
    Than a monsoon

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • Free of the Bondage of Marriage

    No romance for me
    In Christ I have liberty

    No carnal lusts of the flesh
    No diseases will I catch

    Better can I serve Christ, you see
    I can serve God scotfree

    I don’t need a spouse to be happy
    Nor do I need a child in a soiled nappy

    If I had a wife
    It would only cause strife

    I don’t need my own family
    I live for Christ joyfully

    I am unencumbered by having no bride
    From arguments and aggravation, I hide

    No marital bondage for me
    I serve God totally

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • Mountain Life

    I am a proud
    Mountain man
    From the hectic world
    I ran

    I left city life
    Far behind
    I was searching for
    A peace I could find

    First thing I did
    Was to build a home
    A log cabin would suffice
    I had no reason to roam

    I chopped wood
    To prepare
    For the coming winter
    I had a cozy, warm lair

    My loyal dog, Bo
    Is always by my side
    He’s a Husky
    Bo is a good guide

    The first big snow
    Came overnight
    The forest was covered
    In a blanket of white

    It was a beautiful scene
    With my rifle, I fired, you see
    At a rabbit, Bo pursued
    The stew was deliciously

    I gave some rabbit stew to Bo
    He ate it up fast
    We finished it that night
    Because it wouldn’t last

    In springtime, I met
    A grizzly bear
    He was hungry
    So, some food I did share

    I named him Smokey
    After a few months, the bear
    Decided to stay with me
    Bo loved Smokey; he had no fear

    In a nearby stream
    I caught a few fish
    I cooked them over a fire
    They were delish

    We love mountain life
    I relish the serene silence
    The air is pure and fresh
    Everything is in balance

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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  • Breakthrough

    I yearn to be free
    From every mental malady

    For a quarter of a century
    I’ve battled my demons intensely

    My mind gets out of whack
    Sometimes it’s a psychotic attack

    I will bark like a wild dog
    And snort like a hog

    Depressed every single day
    Please listen to what I say

    I am oh so weary
    Of feeling crazy

    Some days I travel through time
    These journeys are sublime

    I go through life, you see
    Living in a warped reality

    My mood is sometimes quite dark
    Decades of illness left their mark

    I have bad anxiety
    I worry excessively

    One day, my mind will be healed
    I can’t wait until this is revealed

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2026

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