"Justice has been an urgent concern of twentieth-century hymn writers, but are they the first to place such an emphasis on it? In Let Justice Sing, Paul Westermeyer offers an answer with the hope that it will stimulate dialogue, future studies, and an understanding of the past that can be applied to the present.
Let Justice Sing explores the content, context, and importance of justice within the warp and woof"" of hymnody. By analyzing these aspects and past hymnic repertoires, it suggests to the Church and others who wish to join the moral deliberation it presumes, that not only have Christians always sung about justice, but the message transcends the messengers.
The perspective and dialogue fostered by Let Justice Sing is directed to students in college or seminary courses where hymnody, Church music, or ethics is the topic; adults in forums or classes where questions about music and justice arise; and anyone with an interest in hymnody, justice, or the relationship between the two.
Chapters are ""Content: The Twentieth Century"": ""Content: Before the Twentieth Century, I""; ""Content: Before the Twentieth Century, II""; ""Context""; and ""Hymnody and Justice.""
Paul Westermeyer, PhD, is Professor of Church Music at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. He teaches, directs music, and administers a master of sacred music degree program with St. Olaf College. His writing includes numerous articles and books.
"""
By:
Paul Westermeyer
Imprint: Liturgical Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 140mm,
Spine: 6mm
Weight: 170g
ISBN: 9780814625057
ISBN 10: 0814625053
Series: American Essays in Liturgy
Pages: 120
Publication Date: 01 July 1998
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
"Contents Abbreviations 7 Introduction 9 1. Content: The Twentieth Century 11 Theme of Justice 11 Hymn Writers 11 Communities and Groups 14 Hymnals and Hymnal Committees 15 Justice and Twentieth-Century Christians 17 Justice 18 Can We Sing It? 22 Justice Omitted 15 Taking God's Place 26 2. Content: Before the Twentieth Century, I 28 The Psalms 28 As They Stand in the Bible 28 In Metrical Versions 31 The Seventeenth Century 31 Tate and Brady 31 The Eighteenth Century 33 Watts 33 Excursus 34 A Case Study 38 Psalm 23 39 Canticles 39 ""Hymns"" of the Mass 40 Greek Hymnody 42 Latin Hymnody 44 3. Content: Before the Twentieth Century, II 38 The Sixteenth Century 48 Luther 48 The Eighteenth Century 52 A Case Study 52 Wesley 57 Excursus 62 The Nineteenth Century 65 Catherine Winkworth 65 John Mason Neale 67 White Gospel Hymnody 70 African American Spirituals 74 Summary 80 4. Context 81 Worship 81 Beauty and Need 85 Physical Things 87 Music 88 Sentimentality 90 Counter-Cultural Issues 91 Subtlety 92 Specificity 92 5. Hymnody and Justice 95 Violence and Being Silenced 96 Song, Justice, and Health 97 Does Justice Sing? 100 The Whole 102 The Practical Reality 107 Bibliography 111"
Paul Westermeyer, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Church Music at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, where he taught, directed music, and administered a master of sacred music degree program with St. Olaf College. Previously he taught at Elmhurst College for twenty-two years. A former editor of The Hymn and national chaplain of the American Guild or Organists, from 1996 to 1998 he served as the president-elect of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. His writing includes many articles, The Church Musician, and With Tongues of Fire.
Reviews for Let Justice Sing: Hymnody and Justice
Both pastors and musicians need to take up anew the responsibility to witness for justice. The book would make a wonderful catalyst for our rededication to this task.The American Organist Paul Westermeyer leads us into a wonderful exploration of deeper things - is it possible to be a follower of Christ and not have justice sing?Dave Cherwien In this important work, Paul Westermeyer uncovers the hidden history of justice in pre-modern hymnody ancient, Reformation, ethnic and evangelical. He also astutely examines current justice concerns in worship and hymns with a discerning eye for the difference between the prophetic and the ideological. Especially perceptive is his discussion of inclusive language issues, one that strives to integrate the justice mandate with doctrinal fidelity. A rich resource for clergy, congregations, seminary students and musicians.Gabriel Fackre, Abbot Professor of Christian Theology Emeritus, Andover Newton Theological School This work is informed by careful, critical thought, rooted in a theology of the cross, and sensitive to the challenges faced by musicians, pastors, and congregations as they seek to sing justice in a complex, pluralistic age. Mindful of the Scylla of a private piety and the Charybdis of a political agenda, Westermeyer helps us steer a course which, by staying close to Word and Sacrament, thrusts us into the world for which Christ died, not only to sing justice, but to do it. This is an important book on a critical subject and should serve the church well.Robert A. Hausman