Contemporary Worship Music:
A Biblical Defence
By John M. Frame. Presbyterian and Reformed. 212 pages
ISBN 0 87552 212 2
A book on such a hot potato written by a classically trained musician who is also a Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary has just got to be worth reading, especially when the writer dedicates it thus: 'To the New Life Churches, who swim against the current of Reformed opinion for the sake of the Reformed gospel.' That wording alone should whet the appetite.
The book is well laid out, the chapters of actual text averaging 13 pages per chapter and all of which are helpfully sub-divided and sub-headed. The contents page allows you to see at a glance the scope of the material which not only argues a case but seeks to deal with the many questions which arise when considering contemporary worship and its music (CWM). Is CWM authentically Christian? Does it edify? Does it dumb down worship? It is post-modern? Also included is a chapter on 'The Case Against CWM' as well as one on a 'Theology of Worship'. The author handles with loving graciousness the criticisms levelled against contemporary worship music and is at great pains to recognise the concerns of those who have experienced worship forms and songs that have been anything but edifying; an 18 page review of Marva Dawn's Reaching out without dumbing down is added as an appendix.
