A potential danger in writing hymns in an age of mass media
There seem to be a lot of hymns being written today, and a lot of them are really pretty good. One of the reasons for… Read More »A potential danger in writing hymns in an age of mass media
Scott Aniol
Scott Aniol is the founder and Executive Director of Religious Affections Ministries. He is director of doctoral worship studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in ministry, worship, hymnology, aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. He is the author of Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship, Sound Worship: A Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World, and By the Waters of Babylon: Worship in a Post-Christian Culture, and speaks around the country in churches and conferences. He is an elder in his church in Fort Worth, TX where he resides with his wife and four children. Views posted here are his own and not necessarily those of his employer.
Accessible vs. Immediate
I’ve heard a lot of teaching recently on what makes a good sacred congregational song, and among qualities listed, “accessibility” is inevitably among them. I… Read More »Accessible vs. Immediate
Is worship like riding a roller coaster?
Joy. What exactly is joy? I can say that I experienced the emotion of joy while riding a roller coaster. It’s this thrilling enthusiasm that… Read More »Is worship like riding a roller coaster?
New study guide for Worship in Song prepared by Dr. Gary Reimers
Every Bob Jones Seminary student takes a class called “Issues in Christian Ministry” during their first year. The class, directed by Dr. Gary Reimers, discusses,… Read More »New study guide for Worship in Song prepared by Dr. Gary Reimers
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Conservative churches that want to do a special service around Christmas time often have a hard time finding cialis price quality “pre-packaged” programs. So what… Read More »A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow my imaginary argument down!
Straw Men in the Music/Worship Debate One of the most dangerous, yet easy pitfalls one can fall into when discussing music/worship issues is to misrepresent… Read More »I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow my imaginary argument down!
Book Review: Christ-Centered Worship by Bryan Chapell
Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice, by Bryan Chapell. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009. 307 pp. $24.99. “Structures tell stories.” So opens Bryan… Read More »Book Review: Christ-Centered Worship by Bryan Chapell
"Ebenezer" – biblical literacy and singing hymns
Before pastors discredit lines of hymns because they are “archaic” or “don’t make any sense today,” perhaps they should make sure that what they are… Read More »"Ebenezer" – biblical literacy and singing hymns
Browse the most important content on this site
You may have noticed that we recently added an “Editor’s Picks” section for this site. You can browse through what we consider the most significant… Read More »Browse the most important content on this site
Musical Relativism is Pelagian
So says John Makujina in this lecture given at the Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary Rice Lecture Series in 2005 and in this paper presented at the… Read More »Musical Relativism is Pelagian
"CCM's theology of music should be ranked among the theological aberrations of modern evangelicalism…"
I just listened to three lectures given by John Makujina at the William R. Rice Lecture Series at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005. They… Read More »"CCM's theology of music should be ranked among the theological aberrations of modern evangelicalism…"
Choose your own price for tracks from God Himself Is With Us.
God Himself is With Us: the Gospel Proclaimed Through Hymns is now on BandCamp.com. Some of the nice features of BandCamp include the following: You… Read More »Choose your own price for tracks from God Himself Is With Us.
What music should be used when planting indigenous churches in . . . the United States of America?
It seems as if several themes have been reoccurring on this site, Paleoevangelical, and a few other places over the last few weeks. These themes… Read More »What music should be used when planting indigenous churches in . . . the United States of America?
Musical Universality, Ethnodoxology, and Associations
We must evaluate both the intrinsic meaning within music and the potentially negative associations of a song before we adopt it into Christian worship. The… Read More »Musical Universality, Ethnodoxology, and Associations
Punting to "Association Problems" may be a cop out.
In my post on associations, I made it very clear that I do think we must at least wrestle through association issues, so I do… Read More »Punting to "Association Problems" may be a cop out.
Issues of the Heart for August, 2009
Issues of the Heart (formerly Shema!) is a quarterly periodical for average laymen full of articles, book reviews, and other pertinent resources in that relate… Read More »Issues of the Heart for August, 2009
Musical Fruit
Chris Anderson asked recently for recommendations of “knock-your-socks-off-gorgeous instrumental music.” I’m always a bit wary of a steady diet of “knock-your-socks-of-gorgeous” music, but there certainly… Read More »Musical Fruit
Listen to every full track from God Himself is With Us for free!
Did you know that you can listen to every track (in their entirety) of God Himself Is With Us: the Gospel Proclaimed Through Hymns for… Read More »Listen to every full track from God Himself is With Us for free!
Your turn: What have you done to teach children how to worship?
We’ve been discussing the topic of teaching children to worship here for some time, and now I’d like to get your feedback. I’ve offered suggestions… Read More »Your turn: What have you done to teach children how to worship?
More on teaching children hymns
I’ve just finished a week of vacation with family, so I’m getting caught up on e-mails, comments, etc. There were some good questions and comments… Read More »More on teaching children hymns