Christian Music, An Introduction
Created | Updated Apr 12, 2014
Music has been a part of Christian worship since before Christianity broke with Judaism. The styles and mediums have changed through the centuries, but always there is music. Even in the Church of Christ, where the use of instruments is forbidden, there is still singing. But why? What purpose does music serve in the Christian worship service and life?
The earliest music consisted of Greek single part songs, Syrian echoing songs, and Jewish call and response songs. During the middle ages, these evolved into chants, which then evolved into complex hymns. These eventually became too complex, and the melody took away from the message. The Council of Trent hired Palestrina to fix this. In the 17th and 18th centuries, great composers such as Bach, Haydn, and Handel wrote masses for the church. During the 19th and 20th centuries, song appeared that were just popular tunes with biblical lyrics inserted and African American spirituals. In the later part of the 20th century and today, there has emerged what is known as “Contemporary Christian” music, which is a Christian message delivered in all the traditionally secular styles you could want.
Instrumentation also changed along with musical styles. The Jews used lyres, drums, cymbals, tambourines, anything they could make music on. Early Christians, however, rejected this. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psalteries, to praise God withal, that she may not seem to Judaize.” The harp was the only widely approved instrument for worship. Pope Vitalian first introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe about 670, and since then, they have been the traditional instruments for Christian worship. With the boom in contemporary Christian Music in the late 1900s, almost any instrument can again be used.
The first and most obvious reason for music in Christian worship is, the Bible commands it – many times. The word praise is mentioned 303 times in the Bible. The word music is said 90 times, and sing, 107. In 2 Corinthians 31:2, it says “Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions-each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites-to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling.” Music and singing are a form of worship; a way Christians can honour their God.
Another purpose of Christian music is evangelism. Deuteronomy 31:19 says, "Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against (the gentiles).” If people like the music, they listen to it. If there is a Biblical message is included, the hope is that it will eventually convince them to convert. The lyrics to the song carry the doctrine of the church.
A third reason is for the fun of it. As Psalm 5:11 says. “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.” Many people have found that music can help to express emotions and sooth pain and anger. Many people who are musically inclined will tell you that for them, the best way to deal with pent up or extreme emotions is to write a song about them. For those of us who are not so great with instruments, just listening to a well-written song can be all we need. The music can bring large numbers of people together, put them all on the same page. It is a form of fellowship. With everyone singing the same hymn or listening to the same band, a bond is formed between them that can strengthen their faith and the church.
Music is important both in a Christian’s life and their worship. It has evolved much over the centuries, from simple call and answer chants to hymns and has even expanded into the realms of traditionally secular music styles. Music is a major theme throughout the Bible, which even includes two books (Psalms and Song of Songs), which consist entirely of songs. The instruments used in worship have also evolved, from the harp and lyre, to organs, to electric guitars. The Christian bible commands music. Music is meant to honour God; it is in itself a form of worship. It is also meant to spread the Christian message to unbelievers. Lastly, it is a form of fellowship between believers.
The earliest music consisted of Greek single part songs, Syrian echoing songs, and Jewish call and response songs. During the middle ages, these evolved into chants, which then evolved into complex hymns. These eventually became too complex, and the melody took away from the message. The Council of Trent hired Palestrina to fix this. In the 17th and 18th centuries, great composers such as Bach, Haydn, and Handel wrote masses for the church. During the 19th and 20th centuries, song appeared that were just popular tunes with biblical lyrics inserted and African American spirituals. In the later part of the 20th century and today, there has emerged what is known as “Contemporary Christian” music, which is a Christian message delivered in all the traditionally secular styles you could want.
Instrumentation also changed along with musical styles. The Jews used lyres, drums, cymbals, tambourines, anything they could make music on. Early Christians, however, rejected this. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psalteries, to praise God withal, that she may not seem to Judaize.” The harp was the only widely approved instrument for worship. Pope Vitalian first introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe about 670, and since then, they have been the traditional instruments for Christian worship. With the boom in contemporary Christian Music in the late 1900s, almost any instrument can again be used.
The first and most obvious reason for music in Christian worship is, the Bible commands it – many times. The word praise is mentioned 303 times in the Bible. The word music is said 90 times, and sing, 107. In 2 Corinthians 31:2, it says “Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions-each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites-to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling.” Music and singing are a form of worship; a way Christians can honour their God.
Another purpose of Christian music is evangelism. Deuteronomy 31:19 says, "Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against (the gentiles).” If people like the music, they listen to it. If there is a Biblical message is included, the hope is that it will eventually convince them to convert. The lyrics to the song carry the doctrine of the church.
A third reason is for the fun of it. As Psalm 5:11 says. “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.” Many people have found that music can help to express emotions and sooth pain and anger. Many people who are musically inclined will tell you that for them, the best way to deal with pent up or extreme emotions is to write a song about them. For those of us who are not so great with instruments, just listening to a well-written song can be all we need. The music can bring large numbers of people together, put them all on the same page. It is a form of fellowship. With everyone singing the same hymn or listening to the same band, a bond is formed between them that can strengthen their faith and the church.
Music is important both in a Christian’s life and their worship. It has evolved much over the centuries, from simple call and answer chants to hymns and has even expanded into the realms of traditionally secular music styles. Music is a major theme throughout the Bible, which even includes two books (Psalms and Song of Songs), which consist entirely of songs. The instruments used in worship have also evolved, from the harp and lyre, to organs, to electric guitars. The Christian bible commands music. Music is meant to honour God; it is in itself a form of worship. It is also meant to spread the Christian message to unbelievers. Lastly, it is a form of fellowship between believers.
