Title: Jubilate!
First published: 1981
Description: Jubilate! Is a serious attempt to develop a working and workable philosophy for contemporary American church musicians. Using the tools of ethnomusicology, it approaches church music as a functional art which must be judged by how well it serves God and the church in a particular cultural context. The book is especially directed to the non-liturgical, pietist groups which today's media (as well as many theologians) have called "evangelical," but it will be stimulating reading for all ecclesiastical artists. Assuming that evangelicals have distinctive needs because of their history, their theology and their sense of mission, Dr. Hustad demonstrates why their musical expressions have frequently been a problem to the elitist aesthetic community. At the same time, he sets some standards by which they should set their own artistic house in order. Because music cannot be planned or evaluated apart from the services in which it is used, this volume gives considerable attention to historic Christian worship, with its roots in Hebrew and early Christian practices. Evangelicals are called to consider the universal experiences and forms which the church has honored since New Testament times, as well as to cherish and refine their own important renewing traditions. In the process, it becomes apparent that many of the so-called "innovations" fostered by contemporary liturgy are true to the evangelical tradition, and help to encourage "whole worship for the whole person." The book also presents an interesting narrative of the renewal movements in Christian history which are the antecedents of today's evangelical thrust. While criticizing "revivalist worship" as typical Sunday morning fare, the author defends that design for use in evangelical services. This comprehensive volume also assesses the professional opportunities in evangelical groups, including that of the minister of music, the musical evangelist who is active in TV, concerts and recording, and the missionary musician. Finally, it considers the contributions of evangelicals in producing and disseminating church music literature -- congregational hymns, music for instruments, music for choirs, and music for soloists and small ensembles. - Jacket flap.
Subjects: Church music, Evangelicalism, Protestant churches
LC classification: ML3100 .H87