Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 13

Not only Beautiful but also Suitable—part 13

          Up to this point in our discussion we have not thoroughly considered whether or not sacred music should or must be based on a music aesthetic requiring beauty.  The question of whether the Christian musician should be concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty as a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of his or her music ministry became a major concern in the second half of the 20^th century. 

            Starting on the 1960’s, a plethora of music styles began to assert an enormous influence on religious music in many Christian communities.  Out of this musical ministry confusion generations of church musicians became preoccupied with being trendy rather than true.  All traditional music and musicing came under attack.  Traditional ways of musicing were blamed for being responsible for ineffectual (i.e. not producing or able to produce the effect one desires of music in worship).  At this point in the history of worship renewal a serious philosophical error was made by a host of Christian musicians and pastors.  Rather than taking a serious look at how church musicians were musicing unto God, they summarily dismissed any music or way of musicing that was traditional.