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Product Description

Contemporary or traditional? Blended or seeker? Pop or "classical"? Chorus or hymn? Combo or organ? Questions concerning music in worship abound these days. Is there a practical way to deal with these issues?

In Music and Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint, Calvin Johansson looks to God's Word for principles foundational to music ministry. Weaving together great scriptural truths, he establishes the need for a "directional balance" between pastoral contextualization and prophetic purity. In a time of facile musical accommodation of the gospel to culture, Dr. Johansson suggests that a heightened concern for musical style and quality is in order—not for the sake of music, but for the sake of the gospel.

Reviews

". . . one of the most thorough-going volumes on the theology of church music today. Professor Johansson takes the role of the prophet, calling us to ponder deeply the biblical principles which must shape the nature of the Church's song. He calls us to listen carefully to our culture and yet not succumb to it. This is a book for pastors, musicians, and, indeed, any person of faith who wishes to reflect critically on how the music which we sing at worship shapes the way we live out our calling as God's holy people."
—Martin Jean, School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music, Yale University

"Professor Johansson knows the difference between entertainment and ministry. He issues a ringing call for ministers of music to embrace integrity and to avoid "Christian infantilism." Themes like creation, the image of God, incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection grace the pages—fulfilling the subtitle's promise to provide a "biblical counterpoint."
—Russell P. Spittler, Fuller Theological Seminary

"[Readers of this book] will enlarge their understanding of the glorious calling of the church musician to creative artistry that truly ministers. Expressing sound theology both as prophet and as pastor, Johansson rejects music that serves the art (an aesthetic approach) or that serves people (a pragmatic approach) and instead calls for music that serves God (the biblical approach). Such music becomes the full gospel in action!
—Donald P. Hustad, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Calvin M. Johansson served as a church music director for four decades. In addition, he was Professor of Music at Evangel College from 1964–2003. He is the author of Music and Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint, and Discipling Music Ministry: Twenty-first Century Directions.