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The Church Service and Music1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2009

Gerhard Kappner
Affiliation:
Saxony

Extract

Reflection on Divine Service from the ecumenical point of view has brought us to the realisation that the question of reform of the Order of Service is not a matter of what is effective, or beautiful or reverend within that Service. These traditional standards originating from psychology, aesthetics and history may be considered as outdated. It is rather a question of what is right and fitting as to the details pertaining to the Service. The standard for the ritual ordering of Church Service is the testimony in the Holy Scriptures to the truth of Christ and to His reality. Hence we shall examine, firstly, the essence of the Service as we find it in the Scriptures, and above all in the New Testament. Then, secondly, we shall inquire into the nature of music as we encounter it in the performance of its own special function. And finally, in a third section, we shall clarify the task which faces music in its performance in the Services of the Church. By these means we shall attempt to define the contents of the Lutheran liturgy, and the responsibilities which present themselves to the choir, the organ and the ensemble of brass instruments.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Scottish Journal of Theology Ltd 1959

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References

page 247 note 1Kantorei’—the material available to the cantor for the performance of music in the church, choir, organ and instruments—translator.

page 249 note 1 Compare also Barth, Karl, Kirchliche Dogmalik, IV/2, p. 280Google Scholar: and Keller, Hermann, ‘J. S. Bach und die Säkularisation der Kirchenmusik’, in Universitas, 1947/12, p. 1425f.Google Scholar