Instruments in Church: A Collection of Source Documents

Abstract

Today, the use of musical instruments in the Christian church is so common as to be taken for granted. However, the history of the church reveals that it has had what might be called a serious love-hate affair with musical instruments. There have been periods, groups, and individuals that have rejected the use of instruments of any kind, while others have welcomed instruments with open arms. Even the question of which instruments may be played by which musicians have historically been at issue. This book guides the reader through some of these issues by letting the proponents and critics of instruments speak for themselves. Compiler David Music has carefully allowed the original writers' voices to come through, complete with whatever errors, misunderstandings, and harsh language they might have initially used. Historical documents are allowed to tell the story, but each one is presented with a brief introduction to set the context. All principal eras of church history and the major traditions are covered. Beginning with the Old Testament passages relating to the use of instruments in worship, Instruments in Church proceeds through the late 20th century. This book will be invaluable to church musicians (especially organists and ministers of music), and to students and teachers of church music history and philosophy courses.

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