Antediluvian Origins of Music

Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

Here we see the birth in human society of three industries important to the life of men: agriculture, the arts, and technology. I'd like to point out two interesting things.

First, notice that art, specifically music, is as primal and as important as the other two industries.

Second, notice that all these things were given to mankind by God through the increasingly pagan line of Cain, which would eventually be wiped away in the Flood. The knowledge of them was preserved through Noah and his sons. It's important to realize that that which the pagans come up with that is legitimately useful may be appropriated by God's people for their use, and benefit.

So one can't automatically rule out the Christian's use of certain forms or styles of music merely because they have pagan origins. If the musical structure may be put to obedient use, it's valid. Certain pagan musical inventions can't (think of what "chance music" says about the sovereign God), but they are few.