Winter 2013/Pasadena
WS514
Willmington
WS514: MUSIC AS THEOLOGICAL EXPRESSION. Edwin M. Willmington.
DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to be a survey of how music has been used in the church and as art as a means of declaring the message of God in the world and an expression of faith. Students will be guided through historical periods, trends, styles, controversies, and varieties of musical media from past to present. The course will aid the student to consider the theological issues relating to the use of music in worship and the world at large.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Music has long been a primary means for faith expression throughout church history, even predating the church. Music has also been a misunderstood and controversial art in the life of the church that deserves attention by those involved in ministry. Every minister will likely be called upon to assess the role of music in the life of the church at some level, either individually or for corporate purposes. The course will attempt to create a backdrop that allows for a balanced theology of music ministry and artistic expression.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goals for this course are that students will
learn of the rich musical heritage of the Christian church at worship;
acquire evaluation skills (musical and theological) for determining appropriate use of music in art and in worship; and
be spiritually prepared for ministries relating to the use of music as an artist and in worship.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice each week for two-hour sessions. There will be reading assignments, lecture, group assignments, as well as tools designed to encourage personal spiritual growth. The grade for the course will be based on understanding of reading and lecture materials, active discussion participation, responsible participation in group assignments, as well as written and research assignments.
REQUIRED READING:
Best, Harold M. Music through the Eyes of Faith. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. ISBN-13: 978-0060608620. $15.99 list price.
Westermeyer, Paul. Te Deum: The Church and Music. Augsburg Fortress, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0800631468. $25.00 list price.
Selected reading from:
Kauflin, Bob. Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God. Crossway Books, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-824-8. 16.99 list price.
Begbie, Jeremy S, and Guthrie, Steven R. Resonant Witness: Conversations Between Music and Theology. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0-8028-6277-8. 34.00 list price.
Course reader.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Students will be responsible for (1) reading and lecture material, (2) a weekly journal of worship experiences during the quarter (1 page or less, each), (3) a written profile of his or her music and worship journey (3-5 pages), (4) a paper on the student’s philosophy of church music (3-5 pages), (5) listening to a course discography and preparing a written evaluation of each work (1-2 pages each), (6) a project that relates the attributes of God to musical selections for worship use (4-5 pages), (7) research of Internet sources for worship music, and (8) a final paper (3-5 pages) on a subject negotiated with instructor relating to the student’s individual need, or attendance at the FormingHearts, Creating Art worship conference day, February 9, 2013.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required for the MA or MDiv concentration in Worship and Music Ministry. Meets a Worship, Theology, and the Arts concentration option in the MDiv and in the MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.