Mere Recognition
Kaplan argues that popular art is formless. It does not possess form in the truest sense. Form in good art, is precisely what invites true… Read More »Mere Recognition
David de Bruyn
David de Bruyn pastors New Covenant Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a graduate of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minnesota and the University of South Africa (D.Th.). Since 1999, he has presented a weekly radio program that is heard throughout much of central South Africa. He also blogs at Churches Without Chests.
Crystallized Prejudices
The popular arts are often criticized by aesthetes for their form, or perhaps formlessness. Kaplan responds to this by directing us once again to how… Read More »Crystallized Prejudices
What The Popular Arts Are Not
Kaplan begins by defining what he means by the popular arts. In his definition, popular arts does not refer to: 1) Pop art, the dadaistic… Read More »What The Popular Arts Are Not
Cheap Thrills – Pop Art and Transcendence
In the land of TolerateAll, the outlaw is the realist critic. Civil order is maintained by quelling all disagreements over beauty with a few simple,… Read More »Cheap Thrills – Pop Art and Transcendence
Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus
by C. S. Lewis And beyond this there lies in the ocean, turned towards the west and north, the island of Niatirb which Hecataeus indeed… Read More »Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus
A Catechism on Judgment in Worship
How are we to worship God? We should worship in all of life, but we have been told most explicitly to worship God corporately through… Read More »A Catechism on Judgment in Worship
Raise Thee, My Soul
Raise thee, my soul, fly up, and run Through every heav’nly street, And say, there’s naught below the sun That’s worthy of thy feet. Thus… Read More »Raise Thee, My Soul
Jacques Barzun (1907-2012)
The common grace of God is His acts of love to all men, whether those men be good or evil (Mat 5:43-45). This common grace… Read More »Jacques Barzun (1907-2012)
From Palestrina to Pino
I think you should watch these. Set aside a few hours, and enjoy. . If you hunt, you might find most or parts of the… Read More »From Palestrina to Pino
Contextualizing in Blaséburg
Picture being called to live out your Christian life in Blaséburg. Blaséburg is a materialist’s paradise. Food is abundant and cheap, clothing and housing affordable, and labor-saving… Read More »Contextualizing in Blaséburg
Why “Subjective” Doesn’t Get You Out of Jail Free
I was one of those who used the word ‘subjective’ to defend my own prejudices. My approach was to enter into debate with someone on… Read More »Why “Subjective” Doesn’t Get You Out of Jail Free
Evaluating Tozer’s Views
We’ve gathered much of what Tozer wrote on music and hymnody. Having done so, some reflections on his writings might be helpful. I notice three… Read More »Evaluating Tozer’s Views
The Christian Book of Mystical Verse
(From the Introduction.) This is a book for the worshiper rather than for the student. It has been carefully and lovingly prepared for those God-enamored persons… Read More »The Christian Book of Mystical Verse
Simpson’s Hymns
Simple truth requires us to state that A. B. Simpson does not rate high as a writer of hymns. The effort on the part of… Read More »Simpson’s Hymns
Two Beautiful Works
In the poetical works of Frederick Faber I have found a hymn to the Holy Spirit which I would rank among the finest ever written,… Read More »Two Beautiful Works
We Sing Junk
Compare the Christian reading matter and you’ll know that we’re in pretty much the same situation. The Germans, the Scots, the Irish, the Welsh, the… Read More »We Sing Junk
Good Hymnals
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us” (Revelation 5:9)—that’s the theme… Read More »Good Hymnals
The Hymnbook and the Devotional Life
In order to express myself more freely on a matter that lies very near to my heart, I shall waive the rather stilted editorial we… Read More »The Hymnbook and the Devotional Life
Hymns Are Musical Echoes of His Voice
We can come and sing hymns in this church and only enjoy the dignity of the music as a relief from rock’n’roll. (Sermon, “Doctrine of… Read More »Hymns Are Musical Echoes of His Voice
The Problem of Numbers
The question of numbers and their relation to success or failure in the work of the Lord is one that disturbs most Christians more than… Read More »The Problem of Numbers