What I have described in this series is nothing more than historic conservative Christianity—Christianity that aims at conserving God’s truth both doctrinally and aesthetically. It is popular… Read More »The Relationship between Cultural Conservatism and Theological Conservatism
I argued in the last essay that if we intend to preserve the truth handed down to us, we must never reject tradition outright. Instead, if… Read More »The Judeo-Christian Worship Tradition
There were many composers, writers, and organizations during the nineteenth century that objected to the current condition of American church music and encouraged reform. Yet none had… Read More »Reforming Influences in 19th Century American Church Music
I argued in the last post that all cultural forms are built upon something that came before, and we call this “tradition.” The implication of… Read More »Culture and Tradition
I have argued thus far that successful preservation of the truth necessitates that what is preserved is the doctrinal affirmations and the proper imagination of such… Read More »Truth and Tradition
Church music in nineteenth century America can be summarized very simply with one word: reform. In many ways, the influential writers and composers of the nineteenth century… Read More »Cultivated, Commercial, and Communal Music
We believe that the great Christian tradition of hymnody should be perpetuated. We treasure the invaluable contributions of the saints to our corporate and private… Read More »Teach children hymns
The development of American church music during the nineteenth century has important implications for the philosophy and practice of church music in the twentieth century… Read More »Three Cultural Streams in 19th-Century American Church Music
Few passages of Scripture are more popular among contemporary Christians than 1 Corinthians 9:19‐23. Especially fashionable is Paul’s line in verse 22 about becoming “all… Read More »All Things to All Men
Conservative Christianity, at its heart, is committed to preserving transcendent ideas rooted in the very nature and character of God. It seeks to accomplish this… Read More »Conservative Christians will be committed to transmitting these worship forms to future generations
Christian conservatism stands upon two primary pillars: 1) a commitment to align one’s ideas with transcendent absolutes that are rooted in God himself; and, 2)… Read More »Conservative Pillar II: Nurturing Tradition