|
Worship in Truth
you so deeply? Or was it some wonderful combination of the melody and poetry that moved your heart to worship God so profoundly? Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE tries to bring some clarity to this important question. Our author is Don Hustad. WORSHIP IN TRUTH I believe we should consider church music basically to be THEOLOGICAL expression—part of the dialogue between God and worshipers. With few exceptions, music in worship is coupled with important words. For this reason, we should choose literature—for instance, hymns and choir pieces—in which the music "fits" the text. True, good words may be supported and enhanced by a variety of musics. But the music, or dance, or any other art, must be the SERVANT of theological truth, not the master. This is an unchanging principle in this day of right-brain, aesthetic-emotional preoccupation in worship: God must be worshiped in full theological truth. — Donald Hustad, TRUE WORSHIP: RECLAIMING THE WONDER AND MAJESTY. Wheaton, Illinois: Harold Shaw/Hope, 1998, p. 62. ISBN 0-87788-838-8 [Personal confession: In my experience, there have many times when a familiar sacred text has exploded into theological truth when it has been released from the bondage of overly familiar or exceptionally beautiful music. Music often enhances words, but, for me, powerful music also has the potential of inappropriately overwhelming or disguising theological truth. Sometimes all I have to do is carefully read the hymn or song as a poem, and then put it back where it was with melody and harmony. Voilá! The perfect combination! I am sure that there are other trained musicians who deal with this occupational hazard.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |