Church Fathers and Church Music

Catholic World Report ^ | 9/12/13 | Christopher B. Warner

[marshmallow]

The Fathers of the Church can help us refine our liturgical worship after 50 years of subjection to sentimental pop music.

At the beginning of this 50th anniversary year of Vatican II, Benedict XVI called for a renewed, authentic reading and implementation of the council documents. After suffering through many decades of vulgar, saccharine Church music, it is encouraging to note a rise of musicians who are serious about authentic reform of sacred worship. The recent Sacred Liturgy Conference in Rome was a great success, and there is a spirit of joyful, liturgical rejuvenation among the youth. Today’s composers are considering many facets of sacred music theory and history as they strive for the renewal of theocentric orthodoxy in liturgical worship. A brief look at the last 50 years in light of the early Church Fathers’ teachings provides a surprisingly relevant breath of fresh air.

Most Catholics are all too familiar with the folk music “reforms” to liturgical music of the 1970s and ’80s. Adopting secular music and the spirit of the age, untutored youth began setting music to pop-style rhythms and melodies, usually with acoustic guitar accompaniment. This style of liturgical music became immensely popular, spread rapidly, and was taken up by prolific composers such as Marty Haugen and David Haas. Michael Matheson Miller of the Acton Institute refers to this liturgical Candyland as the “suburban rite.” The problem with this music, noted by more than one critic, is that it is filled with fuzzy doctrine and the spirit of the sexual revolution: “peace,” “love,” and bad style.

On the other hand, many remember the Grammy-award winning CD Chant, which hit the music market in 1994 and became an overnight sensation. Chant, sung by the Benedictine monks of Santo Domingo de Silos, appealed to traditional Christians and New-Age listeners alike.

[Rock N Jones]

“God is not a respecter of cultures”

Have you read the Old Testament? However it is certainly true that culture influence has changed Church music. Guitar music and drums make for simple, mechanical and limited music which is in vogue today among the younger generation.

[Walmartian]

Those huts with dirt floors have electricity before they have running water. It’s usually an extension cord hanging out of the dwelling connected to a small meter (to watch soccer).

[cuban leaf]

However, no “praise” band can properly capture the contemplative or introspective mood of gospel tunes such as It Is Well With My Soul or Be Still, My Soul in the way that traditional choirs and instrumentation can.

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I am not aware of every single praise band song and rendition, so I can’t say that is true or not. But it does bring up the point that there are good songs and bad songs from all eras. It’s important to not compare the best songs of one era to the worst of another.

And what song has ever beaten “Amazing Grace”? ;-)

BTW, this is an interesting version of It Is Well. My favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSPJAThyCe8

You don’t notice at first, but she is singing the song straight.

[Vision Thing]

“Catholics don’t go to church to be entertained. They go to church to worship.”

Praise music reaches and inspires so many people who attend church services, which is good for Christianity. Those who sing along with them in church are performing an act of worship.

[trisham]

Catholics don’t go to church to be entertained. They go to church to worship.

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Amen.

[Biggirl]

Amen.

At the recent confirmation that took place at my parish, one of the songs of praise at that worship service went by the title of “Holy Spirit.” That is a praise song.