Music, Instruments, Worship and Singing – How about this history? Part 5

“If worship transforms us into kinder, more loving people, then why do we fight over worship?” Paul Basden

Today it is unusual to find a musical instrument that at one time was in the forefront of the worship controversy – the organ! It is not unusual for a church to get a call from someone who would like to donate an organ that is no longer wanted. In some church circles the organ is seen as a symbol of the ‘good ole’ days and the lack of one as a capitulation to the ways of the world. This was not the way it was historically.

Reformed churches fought against the use of the organ given that it was a ‘worldly instrument.’ The father of the ‘Reformed’ movement, Martin Luther, rejected the organ as an “ensign of Baal.” John Calvin, another one of the reformists, said of the organ in worship “it is no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of tapers or revival of the other shadows of the law. The Roman Catholics borrowed it from the Jews.”

Though the Reformers were against the use of the organ, some 17th century churches began to use it in their worship gatherings. Employing the organ was using the “world’s” methods, so this practice caused quite a stir. Controversy and division ensued for an extended period of time. Eventually the organ became part of ‘proper’ musical instruments to use in worship.

The celebration of the Eucharist [Eucharist means ‘thanksgiving’ and is the official name for Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church] in the Roman Catholic Church service is called ‘The Mass.’ In the 17th and 18th centuries some of the world's greatest composers contributed to the music for
‘Mass’ or the church services. Bach composed a Mass in all twenty-four keys! Handel created the Oratorio ‘the Mass’, a sacred opera with a narrator. Handel's most famous religious composition was "The Messiah." Schutz composed "The Seven Last Words." Mozart wrote eighteen ‘Masses.’ Haydn penned fourteen ‘Masses’, all positive and happy, focusing on faith in God. Most of this worship music was for the congregation to watch and observe as spectators and not for participation.

These spectator driven concerts [Masses] became controversial and led away from the common person worshipping as God instructed.

The controversy around music continued!