Modern Hymns, Choruses, and NPR

2013-07-10T14:29:48+00:00

by Matt Boswell

"To make hymn-style and chorus-style songs enemies is not wise. The Psalms are filled with many formats of songs that are to be sung. From simple refrains to antiphonal responses, from songs of lament to hymns of remembrance, our hymnal is vast. We must conclude that western worship is one way of orthodox singing, but in no way can we impose on varied cultures around the globe that this is the only way. The modern hymn and the praise chorus are close friends, especially in many churches where the music encompasses both variants of music."

for entire article, click here

First Things-Tragic Worship

2013-05-20T14:21:38+00:00

First Things-Tragic Worship

by Carl R. Trueman

June/July 2013

"Tragedy as a form of art and of entertainment highlighted death, and death is central to true Christian worship."

"Perhaps it is ironic, but the church that confronts people with the reality of the shortness of life lived under the shadow of death prepares them for resurrection better than the church that goes straight to resurrection triumphalism without that awkward mortality bit."

click here to view entire article

With Hearts and Minds and Voices

2013-04-25T02:43:30+00:00

by John MacArthur

Christian Research Journal 23/2

This article had a huge impact on me in my early stages of forming my philosophy of worship, and it can be credited for part of the motivation to title this blog--colossians316.com.

click here for entire article

Why Does Church Music Exsist?: NOTES

2013-04-24T15:48:42+00:00

notes from Donald Hustad book, "Jubilate II"

Chapter 1

What is the purpose of music in church?

What is more important: music or lyrics?

music =emotional part, universal means of expression

words=the language part, infuse actual meaning

church music = art music ?

music functions in society as:

giving identity
adds significance to important events
reinforces political, social, religious ideals

music functions in church:

congregational behavior
Praise and Worship to God
teaching
healing human spirit
helps build community

Biblical Theology of Worship by Church of the Savior

2013-04-24T15:14:25+00:00

Biblical Theology of Worship & Its Implications for Worship in the NT

by Church of the Savior, Worship Commission

well footnoted

go to article by clicking here

Worship in the Scriptures: NOTES

2013-04-24T14:40:46+00:00

Notes taken from "Worship-A Way of Life, Chapter 4" by Patrick Kavanaugh

Worship in the Scriptures

Notes taken from "Worship-A Way of Life, Chapter 4" by Patrick Kavanaugh

Private Worship in the Old Testament:

Suffering - (Job):

Job 1:20-22
Psalms 27:10

Remembrance - (Abraham)

Gen. 12:7-8, 13:18,22 and 12:7- built altars of rememberance

Divine Guidance (Joshua)

Joshua 5:13-15
Psalm 32:7-8

Intercession (Moses)

Ex. 34:5-8

Gratitude (Gideon)

Judges 7:9-15

God's answers to Prayers

2 Samuel 12:16
2 Samuel 12:20

Private Worship in New Testament

Joy (Mary)

Luke 1:46-48

Praise from repentance (Zechariah)

Luke 1:19-20, 1:67-79

Peace w/in worship (Simeon)

Luke 2:25-32

Under Persecution (Stephen)

Acts 7:55

Dedication - beginning something new

II Chron. 5:1-7:10 - Solomon's Temple
II Chron. 29:3-36 - Temple of Hezekiah
Nehemiah 12:27-43 - Nehemiah's wall around Jerusalem
Ezra 3:11-13 - 2nd Temple and foundation
Luke 2:13-14 - corporate worship in heaven

Examples of Corporate Worship in New Testament

Worship towards Jesus

Matt. 2:11 - maji
Matt. 21:9, Mk 11:1,luke 19:28, Jn. 12:12 - Triumphal Entry
John 5:22-23

Worship of the Risen Christ

Matt. 28:9
Lk 24:52

Worship associated with Holy Spirit

Acts 4:31
Acts 10:44-46

Disciples' praise

Luke 24:53

Worship as witness

Acts 16:25

Heavenly Worship

You can purchase his book here at this link.

Music as Means and End- QUOTE

2013-04-18T14:00:52+00:00

an excerpt by St. Augustine from his spiritual Autobiography, "The Confessions"

an excerpt by St. Augustine from his spiritual Autobiography, "The Confessions"

Chapter XXXIII

The delights of the ear had more firmly entangled and subdued me; but Thou didst loosen and free me. Now, in those melodies which Thy words breathe soul into, when sung with a sweet and attuned voice, I do a little repose; yet not so as to be held thereby, but that I can disengage myself when I will. But with the words which are their life and whereby they find admission into me, themselves seek in my affections a place of some estimation, and I can scarcely assign them one suitable. For at one time I seem to myself to give them more honour than is seemly, feeling our minds to be more holily and fervently raised unto a flame of devotion, by the holy words themselves when thus sung, than when not; and that the several affections of our spirit, by a sweet variety, have their own proper measures in the voice and singing, by some hidden correspondence wherewith they are stirred up. But this contentment of the flesh, to which the soul must not be given over to be enervated, doth oft beguile me, the sense not so waiting upon reason as patiently to follow her; but having been admitted merely for her sake, it strives even to run before her, and lead her. Thus in these things I unawares sin, but afterwards am aware of it.

At other times, shunning over-anxiously this very deception, I err in too great strictness; and sometimes to that degree, as to wish the whole melody of sweet music which is used to David's Psalter, banished from my ears, and the Church's too; and that mode seems to me safer, which I remember to have been often told me of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, who made the reader of the psalm utter it with so slight inflection of voice, that it was nearer speaking than singing. Yet again, when I remember the tears I shed at the Psalmody of Thy Church, in the beginning of my recovered faith; and how at this time I am moved, not with the singing, but with the things sung, when they are sung with a clear voice and modulation most suitable, I acknowledge the great use of this institution. Thus I fluctuate between peril of pleasure and approved wholesomeness; inclined the rather (though not as pronouncing an irrevocable opinion) to approve of the usage of singing in the church; that so by the delight of the ears the weaker minds may rise to the feeling of devotion. Yet when it befalls me to be more moved with the voice than the words sung, I confess to have sinned penally, and then had rather not hear music. See now my state; weep with me, and weep for me, ye, whoso regulate your feelings within, as that good action ensues. For you who do not act, these things touch not you. But Thou, O Lord my God, hearken; behold, and see, and have mercy and heal me, Thou, in whose presence I have become a problem to myself; and that is my infirmity.

excerpt copied from Christian Classics Ethereal Library

The Hymns That Keep on Going

2013-04-17T18:52:41+00:00

The Hymns That Keep on Going

The 27 worship songs that have made the hymnal cut time and again.

Robert T. Coote

an article from Christianity Today

click here to view entire article

theme: Musical Style, Great Hymns, History

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Author

Corb H. Felgenhour

The End of Worship Wars

2013-04-17T18:50:33+00:00

The End of Worship Wars

But we're still learning from one another.

Mark Galli

an article from Christianity Today

click here to view entire article

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Author

Corb H. Felgenhour

Fool's Gold?

2013-04-17T17:53:34+00:00

Fool's Gold?

Chapter 7: Solid Rock? What the Bible Says about Contemporary Worship

by John MacArthur

Great comments about keeping a variety of musical forms in corporate worship (according to Colossians 3:16) and a call not to forget about great hymns of the faith that typically have that strong didactic approach that is lost in other forms. Here are some great quotes from this book/chapter:

p115-"...Neither the antiquity nor the popularity of a gospel song is a good measure of its worthiness. And the fact that a gospel song is 'old-fasioned' is quite clearly no guarantee that it is suited for edifying the church. When it comes to church music, older is not necessarily better."

p118-"There is certainly nothing wrong with the simple, straightforward personal praise that characterizes the best of today's praise choruses. Neither is there anything wrong with the evangelistic and testimonial thrust of yesterday's gospel songs. But it is a profound tragedy that in some circles, only contemporary choruses are sung...."

p119-"Paul was calling for a variety of musical forms and a breadth of spiritual expression that cannot be embodied in any one musical form. the strict psalms-only view (which is gaining popularity in some reformed circles today) allows for none of that variety. The views of fundamentalist-traditionalists who seem to limit church music to the Gospel-song forms of the early twentieth century would also squelch the variety Paul calls for. More significantly, the prevailing mood in modern evangelical churches-where people seem to want to binge on a steady diet of nothing but simplistic praise choruses-also destroys the principle of variety Paul sets forth here [Colossians 3:16]...the error lay in utterly casting aside the rich heritage of hymns-along with the didactic, doctrinal richness of Christian music that had edified and sustained so many generations."

you can order the book by John MacArthur here

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Author

Corb H. Felgenhour

Modern Hymns, Choruses, and NPR

First Things-Tragic Worship

First Things-Tragic Worship

With Hearts and Minds and Voices

Why Does Church Music Exsist?: NOTES

Biblical Theology of Worship by Church of the Savior

Worship in the Scriptures: NOTES

Music as Means and End- QUOTE

Confessions of Saint Augustine

Chapter XXXIII

The Hymns That Keep on Going

The Hymns That Keep on Going

Author

The End of Worship Wars

The End of Worship Wars

Author

Fool's Gold?

Fool's Gold?

Chapter 7: Solid Rock? What the Bible Says about Contemporary Worship

Author