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
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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
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
Authenticity
There is a cry today for authenticity in worship. This comes in several different forms, but most commonly it relates to worship and music style… Read More »Authenticity
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)
An argument for weekly Table observance
We are having some enjoyable discussions this week about the meaning and significance of the Lord’s Table in Christian worship. I have been suggesting that… Read More »An argument for weekly Table observance
A biblical defense of the handshake chorus
OK, so I’m not really going to defend the handshake chorus as it’s practiced today. But I did want to address the importance and tradition… Read More »A biblical defense of the handshake chorus
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
Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
Yes, I mean it. You need to read this book. Not only that, you need to read it in a particular way, which is, out… Read More »Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
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
Similarities and differences between Hebrew worship and pagan worship
There is no doubt that some of the practices of ancient Hebrew worship bear remarkable resemblance to the worship practices of the pagan nations around… Read More »Similarities and differences between Hebrew worship and pagan worship
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
Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
What is the best book ever written on America? What is the best book ever written on democracy? Amazingly, at a well-seasoned 177 years old… Read More »Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
Why do we think new is better?
New and improved! Fresh! The latest! Exciting! You don’t have to go far in our society today to witness claims of having the newest, latest… Read More »Why do we think new is better?