Lutheran Kantor » Lutheran

J.S. Bach: The Music Lives On

Chris — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:12:53 +0000

Each year on July 28, the church commemorates Kantor J.S. Bach. It was on this date in 1750 that Bach — musician, composer, and servant of the church — entered into eternal rest.

When I think of Bach and his death, the first thing that comes to mind is the closing chorale to his St. John Passion. He closes this Passion with the final stanza of Martin Schalling’s hymn text “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart.” (Starts at 8:58 in the YouTube video).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD5N0Ubpvns

Lord, let at last Thine angels come,
To Abr’hams bosom bear me home,
That I may die unfearing;
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me,
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face,
My Savior and my fount of grace.
Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend,
my prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end. (LSB 708, st. 3)

Bach’s setting has endeared me more and more to this hymn. It is a hymn of trust, of hope, of comfort, and of joy for the Christian who looks to the gracious face and work of Christ in the midst of their own death and eventual resurrection. For good reason, this hymn has accompanied many on the journey to their Savior. At nearly every funeral I’m the organist for, I’ll play either the Walther or Krebs (usually both) organ settings of this hymn as pre-service music (along with pieces by Bach).

So today I thank God for the work and faith of Bach and the treasures he left behind that have enriched us (for me particularly the organ chorales and sacred choral music). Here are several posts from the archive vault on Bach and a few of my favorite musical pieces. Soli Deo Gloria.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=md5lDmPbX8Y

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlb0cr-k8PY

Bach in Today’s Parish: Still the Evangelist

Chris — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:20:11 +0000

Some of you may have had the opportunity in November 2009 to attend the Good Shepherd Institute’s conference on “Bach in Today’s Parish: Still the Evangelist.” While I wasn’t able to attend, I patiently await the publication of their annual journal of papers presented at the conference (and hoping that they might post MP3s of the presentations). In the meantime, the folks at GSI have posted two of the conference papers on their website. They are interesting readings for musicians and non-musicians alike.

“What Would Bach Do Today?” by Paul Grime

Dr. Grime (Dean of the Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary) has a clever alternate title for his paper: WWJD: What Would Johann Do? It is a provocative question to consider and Dr. Grime explores the possibilities for today’s church musicians. If I had to summarize it one sentence, it would be: Don’t operate with your blinders on. Bach worked within and had an understanding of both the church and culture and sacred and secular. While we now experience different circumstances from Bach, Grime doesn’t impose artificial limitations on the musician, but encourages exploration and freedom.

But it will only be through trial and error that we will be able to press on to that next fresh expression of the grace of God, using His incredible gift of music to awaken faith in our generation and the next. Bach would expect nothing less!

“The Global Importance of Bach Today” by Uwe Siemon-Netto

Given Uwe Siemon-Netto’s background as a reporter, it is not surprising that his paper reads like a feature article – an engaging article. He shows how Bach’s music transcends cultures and social classes and “speaks” to all sorts of people. Even Bach’s instrumental music, he contends, can bring people to Christianity. But he also laments the apathy of the theological/musical heirs of Bach toward this musical tradition (specifically in reference to the sale of a certain radio station owned by a certain church body in a certain mid-western city). Another enlightening reading opportunity.

Bach and Japan

Chris — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:30:27 +0000

Over at Cyberbrethren, Paul McCain is featuring a fascinating article by Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto on Bach’s music as a servant of the Gospel in Japan. It’s a great read worthy of your consideration.

I found it thought provoking to read of a Japanese woman, who probably like many others, found what God’s love means to Christians, but has resisted the leap of faith. Yet people still flock to listen to Bach. Why? Masaki Suzuki, founder and conductor of the Bach Collegium Japan, suggests that the Japanese want to know what “hope” means for Christians in this time of spiritual poverty.

Choir/musical directors take note: Masaaki Suzuki teaches the Scripture during rehearsals. That’s a good thing to do even in a musical group composed of Christians — especially if we are rehearsing sacred music. Our hope is in the Word and what Christ has done.

Interview Between An Atheist & Unitarian

Chris — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:38:41 +0000

While I’m taking a slight detour from the standard fare of worship and music with this post, I think you’ll be intrigued by it.

This last week, noted atheist Christopher Hitchens lectured in Portland, OR. In preparation for the event, local magazine Portland Monthly had a feature interview between Hitchens and Marilyn Sewell, a retired Unitarian minister. You might think a discussion between an atheist and Unitarian wouldn’t be too interesting. Guess again. Hitchens, in certain respects, appears to have a stronger grasp of Christianity than Sewell. The intent of the article was to focus on Hitchen’s views, but I finished it thinking more about Sewell’s beliefs.

Here are a few highlights from that interview.

Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is a generally fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make any distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Hitchens: I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

Further on in the interview:

Sewell:But I still consider myself a Christian and a person of faith.

Hitchens: Faith in what? Faith in the Resurrection?

Sewell: I believe one can go from a death in this life, in the sense of being dead to the world and dead to other people, to a resurrection in a new life. When I preach about Easter and the Resurrection, it’s in a metaphorical sense.

Sewell: I don’t know whether or not God exists, let me just say that. I certainly don’t think that God is an old man in the sky; I don’t believe that God intervenes to give me goodies if I ask for them.

Hitchens: You don’t believe he’s an interventionist of any kind?

Sewell: I’m kind of an agnostic on that one. God is a mystery to me. I choose to believe because—and this is a very practical thing for me—I seem to live with more integrity when I find myself accountable to something larger than myself. That thing larger than myself I call “God,” but it’s a metaphor. That God is an emptiness out of which everything comes.

This brand of liberal Christianity seems no more than self help, feel good thinking. Atheists may sneer and liberal Christians may reject the confessional Christian’s understanding of the faith, but I will still stand firm on what Christ has done for us and what He continues to do for us. What better way to end than singing the faith in the fine Lutheran chorale “I Know My Faith Is Founded.”

I know my faith is founded
On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;
And this my faith confessing.
Unmoved I stand on His sure Word.
Our reason cannot fathom
The truth of God profound;
Who trusts in human wisdom
Relies on shifting ground.
God’s Word is all sufficient,
It makes divinely sure;
And trusting in its wisdom,
My faith shall rest secure. (LSB 587)

The Lutheran Study Bible: ESV++

Chris — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:38:56 +0000

After much anticipation, my copy of The Lutheran Study Bible arrived about two weeks ago and I’ve spent some time getting to know it. The ESV has been my translation of choice since CPH released their hardback ESV Reference Bible a few years ago and I have appreciated the readable and rhythmic translation.

When I initially made my pre-order 8 months ago, I ordered a standard genuine leather edition for myself and a larger genuine leather edition for my mother. I thought I had fairly decent eyesight — no glasses and pretty sharp vision. Fortunately, CPH phased the release of the different editions and sent out the standard hardback edition weeks before the leather editions. My church library received a hardback edition and I eagerly opened it and found that even for my eyes the study notes and footnotes were kind of small and densely situated on the page — readable, but small. The font size for the Bible text wasn’t bad. Hmm. What should I do? At just about the same time, Pastor McCain had a blog post about the larger print edition he got for his son. Maybe the larger print edition would work for me. Next step: Called CPH to change my order BEFORE the leather editions shipped AND added two ribbon sets and Gerhard’s A Comprehensive Explanation of Holy Baptism and Lord’s Supper for good measure.

Then it was just a matter of waiting for CPH to ship and FedEx to deliver.

My initial reaction:

This is a BIG Bible (and that is not necessarily bad – keep reading). 8 1/8″ wide x 10 3/8″ long x 2 1/2″ deep and about 5.3 pounds (according to the kitchen scale). It’s larger than my college dictionary which I thought was big. BUT, I like it (referring to the Bible, not the dictionary). There’s something to be said for having an imposing Bible like this in your life.

In my anticipation I was also hoping that the paper used in the leather editions would be a bit thicker than the standard hardback. The hardback copy I saw had very thin (tissue-like) paper that tended to wrinkle if not handled with care, but it seemed to be durable. I am VERY pleased with the paper in the leather larger edition – a bit more substantive paper with minimal bleed through. The thicker paper, though, comes at a cost — a thicker book.

The font size of the Bible text, cross references, and the study notes are comfortable on the eyes — not too big and not too small. For me at least, the larger print was a welcome trade-off to the larger book size.

What I appreciate most (so far) about this Study Bible is how Christ permeates the entire Bible. The study notes and book introductions help the reader see Christ and what He has done for us — even in passages where Christ might seem to be absent. Granted, not every note does this, but note upon note helps build this foundation.

Following with a close second are the quotes from the Church Fathers, reformers, and the Lutheran Confessions sprinkled throughout the study notes. I suppose you could call it “theological seasoning” — not overpowering, but nuggets selected with care. It is edifying to read what those who have come before have written. The Lutheran Study Bible will be instrumental in introducing more people to these historic writings and providing springboards for further study.

A request to CPH: Please provide a PDF download of the prayers on the front and back covers of the hardback editions — they are missing from the leather editions.

CPH and the associated contributors have provided the Church a wonderful gift in the Lutheran Study Bible. It’s definitely something to consider for your daily Bible study and prayer life (see the Law/Gospel notes!). This is ESV++!

So what’s next? I think I’m going to splurge and get a a custom leather Bible cover from Renaissance Art. They have made me wonderful leather covers for the pocket Book of Concord and the personal edition of Lutheran Service Book.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Chris — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:56:42 +0000

The Fourth Sunday in Advent, especially if we are in Series B of the lectionary, is a Sunday that has special memories for me. Nine years ago my dad was planning to preach a sermon on the Gospel text Luke 1:26-38. But God had different plans for him on that Fourth Sunday in Advent. God was calling him home to be with Him.

The sermon was never preached, although it had been written. Over the years I’ve read and reread that sermon. This sermon wasn’t intended to be a “farewell”. Yet, it has provided me comfort then, as it still does today.

As my dad reflected on the message the angel Gabriel gave to Mary, he wrote:

It is truly wonderful. God would become flesh. This “Son of the Most High” would deliver us from the power of sin, death, and the devil, and give to us a kingdom that is forever. Though King Herod would try to kill this baby Jesus, he would live that he might suffer and die for the whole world. May our hearts praise God as those of old did. God be praised for giving us a Savior.

I think my dad would have gladly joined in on that Advent Sunday with these words of Paul & Ruth Manz.

Rejoice in heaven all ye that dwell therein, Rejoice on earth ye saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon, For Christ is coming soon!

E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, And night shall be no more; They need no light nor lamp nor sun, For Christ will be their All!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNyLmy3ml5Q

Walther and Small Churches

Chris — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:15:35 +0000

In a culture fixated on bigger is better, it was refreshing to read a selection from C.F.W. Walther over at Mercy Journeys with Pastor Harrison on the relative unimportance of congregational size.

The highlight from Walther was this:

The smallest congregation is just as important as the largest one, and the largest is no more important than the smallest, because every congregation is great only because Christ is present in it.

I suggest that the LCMS Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance take a look at what Walther wrote. Walther would differ considerably with at least one of the their “Proposals and Possibilities“.

“Allow congregations with more than 750 confirmed members to be represented by two additional delegates for each additional unit of 750 confirmed members or the majority thereof, with each pair of additional delegates to be one ministerial (ordained or commissioned) delegate and one non-ordained delegate.”

Walther says all congregations are equally important because of Christ. Some in the Synod say larger congregations are more important. Why? Because they have more members and constituents. It seems like this rationale would better apply to Electoral Votes for President of the United States than the church.

Hymn Playing for Organists

The Treasure of the Lutheran Church (according to Lohe)

Chris — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:08:54 +0000

For those of you not familiar with Wilhelm Lohe, the current edition of Logia focuses on the Lohe Bicentennial and has a number of good articles.

This evening I was reading the article entitled “Why Do I Declare Myself for the Lutheran Church?” by Lohe himself. He enumerates a number of reasons of why he holds fast to the Lutheran Church. The following excerpt caught my eye.

I declare myself for the Lutheran Church for the sake of the treasure. The Lutheran Church lacks many things I would like to see in it, but it has something that lets it be the true church despite all shortcomings, and for the sake of which I find it easy and beautiful to be faithful to it in its outward misery. Do you know what I am talking about? I am talking about its utterly pure confession and its pure doctrine in conformity with its confession. Who has ever proved that its confession is in error in any doctrinal article? When speaking of its confession, I am not only talking about the Augsburg Confession, but about the entire Book of Concord from the Augsburg Confession all the way to the Formula of Concord. You do not know these writings, dear reader, otherwise you would agree with me. Get to know them and you will agree. What is more beautiful, lovely, powerful, and lively than Luther’s catechisms? What is more catholic than the Augsburg Confession and its Apology? What is more thoughtful and bold than the Smalcald Articles? And what is slandered more wrongfully than the beautiful Formula of Concord in its clean but mild definition of all teachings? Dear reader, I repeat, you do not know your Church’s confessions of faith. Get to know them in order to know why you adhere to your church.

One of Lohe’s strengths was his confessional committment which influenced the LCMS from its founding. It seems he was quite passionate about the Lutheran Confessions and would encourage us as well to be familiar with what our Lutheran church “officially” believes, teaches, and confesses.

A few years ago Concordia Publishing House published a wonderful and accessible edition of the Book of Concord called “Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord – 2nd edition.” If you don’t have it, I would encourage you to consider getting it; and if you do have it, consider reading it.L

Survey Says Part 2: What about the LCMS?

Chris — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:05:29 +0000

In my post yesterday regarding the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey I noted that 66% of Protestants believed that many religions lead to eternal life. Of those classified as Protestants – Evangelical, 57% believed likewise.

In a comment to that post, blog reader Ben noted that the actual report also broke down the data based on denominational affiliation. Ben’s comment/research deserves to be more than just a comment, but a full fledged blog post.

The survey classified the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) to be an Evangelical denomination. Based on the survey results of the 588 LCMS respondents, the LCMS is very open minded and tolerant. So open minded and tolerant that 78% of the LCMS respondents believe that “many religions can lead to eternal life.” We beat the national average! That’s not something to be proud of.

I was frankly shocked. Ben wrote, “What’s going on in our churches?” When my mother found out, she didn’t express too much surprise. She echoed what I had been ruminating on yesterday. When pastors aren’t preaching Christ and Him crucified and instead preaching on friends, depression, anger, etc., what can you expect? When the hymns/songs on the lips of the people don’t say much of anything or are not focused on what Christ has done/is doing, the people are not being catechized in the true faith.

These survey results are a cause for reflection. What is going on in your church? Is Christ and His gifts the focus of what your church is about? Do the people want or value this? God help us.

God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It

Chris — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:48:15 +0000

Today (May 6) I celebrated the 29th anniversary of my baptism when my parents brought me to the font. With the water and God’s word my dad baptized me in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and marked me with the cross upon my forehead and upon my heart as one redeemed by Christ. As Luther wrote, this Baptism is

“a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.”

And because of the rich gifts God gives in Baptism (forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and eternal salvation) I can say:

God’s own child, I gladly say it:
I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it,
Gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth’s treasure many?
I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free
Lasting to eternity! (LSB 594)

Amen.