Dear BPCWAians, Last week we saw the Reformers’ emphasis on the teaching aspect of songs by ensuring that 1) songs must be theologically sound and that 2) songs serve a teaching purpose, hence it must be understood. In their reformation of church music, they also 3) returned to congregational singing during worship. This made it even more necessary for the accompanying music not to distract but help focus on the words of the hymns instead of the music and musician’s style. This week, we will see 3 other areas the Reformers focused on.

4) Music must be fitting

Both Luther and Calvin generally rejected the elaborateness of the music. Such fancifulness was already very common during their time. But this was not because they were musically illiterate. Luther would have studied music in his curriculum during his university days in Erfurt. Such study would have included the harmonic aspects of melodic composition, where it was thought of as “a study of the mathematical arts.” Luther’s understanding of music was more than that of a semi-skilled amateur. Music, Luther understood, followed strict laws, and his simple German Reformation hymns had the congregation singing in unison with the primary harmonic chords of the tonic, subdominant and dominant chords. In other words, it followed good and sound music composition principles instead of “free style” improvisations that were contrary to these principles. Though there was harmonisation, the music was not aimed at being the music of a professional presentation, but to be simple enough for the congregation to sing to. The lesson for us is – that no matter how skilled one is in music, the musician must exercise great restraint and impose limits on the music in church so as to avoid distracting the worshiper away from concentrating on the words. Only words can teach, and so only the words have didactic value. Music cannot teach, though it supports the words in tune. Music must fit its purpose, not exceed it. For example, Luther’s focus was not on instrumental music, but upon texts set to music. Luther’s chorale A Mighty Fortress Is Our God is easy for the congregation to sing, yet fittingly militant in tone to encourage the faithful to fight against evil. So, we learn that music must not distract while fitting the hymn’s teaching value – whether it is meditative or militant.

5) Careful views and use of music

Calvin’s tunes used single line melodies, without accompanying parts and without instruments. He wanted to ensure that music in the church would not become an artform and frilly. Even the simplest polyphonic psalm harmonisations were rejected as frills in Calvinist services. Ulrich Zwingli, though an exceptionally gifted musician, was suspicious of the liturgical practices of the medieval church. He insisted that all choral and instrumental music was eliminated from the church in Zurich. While we do believe there is a proper need to be careful about church music, we certainly do not take the view of Calvin and Zwingli in forbidding the use of harmonisations and instruments in church music. Nevertheless, it would do us well to take heed to Calvin’s valid principles and cautions concerning music. Being aware of and cautious about the effect of music, Calvin stated, “We must, however, carefully beware, lest our ears be more intent on the music than our minds on the spiritual meaning of the words… songs composed merely to tickle and delight the ear are unbecoming the majesty of the Church, and cannot but be most displeasing to God.” (Inst. 3.20.32). This is an astute observation made against the backdrop of rapid changes to the secular music scene. It is hence even more crucial today for us to take heed. Music in itself is attractive. Thus, the musician must use it very carefully to avoid attracting the worshiper to music itself, but rather aid and direct the worshiper to the words being sung to God.

Church musicians and those involved in the music of the church must be careful to guard their hearts against introducing frilly styles in the church, even if the music breaks no “music or harmony” rules. Once a musician plays in a way that draws attention to the music, that musician has drawn the ears of the worshiper to the music, and the style of playing. Church musicians aid the worshiper to focus on the words, not distract them to admire their style.

6) Worship, not concert

By the turn of the century after the Reformation, in order to draw people into their church as part of the Roman Catholic Counter Reformation, the Roman Catholic church service was to all intents and purposes a “concert.” Cathedral services in Venice at the peak of the Counter Reformation “could well be looked upon as the earliest public concerts (for a “mass” audience, so to speak). Huge congregations flocked to them, and their fame was spread abroad so that travellers made special journeys to hear the music. The most spectacular impression was made not by the singers but by the massed instrumentalists.” (Richard Taruskin, Reformations and CounterReformations). They used the power of music to draw people into the Roman Catholic church, unashamedly turning the music in the service into a “concert”, so as to counter the Protestant Reformation. Undaunted, the Reformers’ emphasis was to have simple music which believers could sing to as they went about their normal life. Luther’s music was attractive, well set, but not overly elaborate. It was not designed to be artistic, but aided the didactic purpose of hymns to enhance the faith of the believer. While the music was carefully crafted and polished, the Lutheran musician’s aim was not to impress you and bowl you over with stylistic attractiveness.

To summarize, the lessons are that the music accompanying the words must not be fanciful because if it is so, music oversteps its function. This results in distracting the worshiper by drawing attention to the musician and the style instead of the words sung, which every worshipper is supposed to focus on. When this happens, the didactic purpose of hymns is lost. Churches today must use compositions and instruments with constant carefulness. If not, church worship will become a concert instead. God willing, we will conclude next week by looking at how church music has changed compared to the Reformation principles in this area.

Yours in our Lord’s service

Pastor