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No Christian Music
composer, conductor, music critic, and the Executive Director of the Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship. NO CHRISTIAN MUSIC Ultimately, there is no such thing as Christian music anymore than there are Christian chords or Christian rhythms or Christian melodic intervals. There are only Christian words, combined with music, pure and simple . . . What is generally called Christian music today is a combination of two art forms: music and Christian poetry. It is not unusual to combine art forms; both opera and theater, for example, combine several different arts. The reason we must separate words and music in Christian music is to show exactly what makes it "Christian." And it is never the music itself. [and from the INTRODUCTION] The purpose of this book is to bring the reader closer to Christ. Specifically, it is written to help each of us worship the Lord—to worship Him with deeper intimacy, with purer love, with greater potency. It is something that every Christian can do more every day. —Patrick Kavanaugh, WORSHIP—A WAY OF LIFE, Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2001, p. 146, 17. ISBN 0-8007-9292-0 [This author is contributing to an age-old discussion in the philosophy of art. Is it the worshipful or Christian intent of the artist that makes something Christian? What do you think? How do we factor in issues such as artistic excellence, aesthetic beauty, and doctrinal faithfulness? As seen from the excerpt from the introduction above, this book is actually focused on the idea of private worship. I recommend it.] 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 |