Rethinking the Philosophy of Church Music

Abstract

This paper argues that a sound philosophy of church music must be rooted in biblical theology, recognizing music as a divinely given medium that reveals God’s order within time and creation. It contends that music, when understood theologically, serves not merely as an aesthetic expression but as a formative practice through which believers participate in God’s creative and redemptive purposes. In contrast to the modern impulse toward disorder, fragmentation, and instant gratification, music-making embodies the spiritual discipline of patience, attentiveness, and obedience. Drawing on the theological reflections of Jeremy Begbie and others, this study explores how musical structure and temporality mirror the divine harmony between change and order that sustains creation. By reclaiming a theological philosophy of music, the church can resist cultural tendencies toward superficiality and rediscover music as a sacred act of worship that cultivates a meaningful engagement with time and with God’s ongoing work in the world.