The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship [Paperback]

Brian D Walrath (Editor), Robert H Jr Woods (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2007

The definitive guide to the meaning of today’s most popular praise and worship songs.
Few things influence Christians’ understanding of the faith more than the songs they sing in worship. The explosion of praise and worship music in the last fifteen years has profoundly affected our experience of God. So what are those songs telling us about who God is? In what ways have they made us more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? In what ways have they failed to embody the full message of the gospel?

Working with the lists of the most frequently sung praise and worship songs from recent years, the authors of this book offer an objective but supportive assessment of the meaning and contribution of the Christian music that has been so important in the lives of contemporary believers.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian D. Walrath is Associate Professor of Music and Worship Arts at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan.

Robert H. Woods Jr. is Associate Professor of Communication and Media at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687645646
• ISBN-13: 978-0687645640
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 1.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary report, but lacking otherwise, August 25, 2009

By 

M. Stopka "Michael (333)" (Henderson, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship (Paperback)

I chose to purchase this book on account of the "VIEW NOW" feature on Amazon, which usually gives me a pretty fair chance to know what the book is about. The dazzling cover sure helped also. But, the majority of the content turned out to be empty stats on specific songs in Contemporary Christian Music. I was hoping for a message, as the first part of the title suggests, but it turned out to be much more geared towards the latter half of the title. For those desiring to dissect specific, popular, ACTUAL songs and lyrics in CCM, this is definitely the book for you. For instance, if a pastor isnt sure on playing specific songs like "Breathe" or "You Are My Life" in church, the book may prove of some value. But, if you are looking for a Biblical pro and con evaluating contemporary musical worship, its effects, origins and it's core value to Christians, I suggest you look elsewhere. Put it this way, the book focuses in on how a "donut" tastes, if it is sweet or sour, if it makes you cry or makes you happy, which is good to know, but fails to convince one whether or not that donut is healthy in the first place.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars contemporary praise and worship music, January 2, 2008

By 

J. L. Krauss - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship (Paperback)

The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship
Brian Walrath and Robert Woods have brought together a series of essays on contemporary worship music. The ten essays are authored by knowledge-
able people from a variety of disciplines. The author of each section of the book gives a broad and honest appraisal of the history and the impact of contemporary Christian music.

The book gives the reader the feeling of attending a seminar on the subject of Christian music where the presenters deal with various aspects - both positive and negative - of contemporary Christian music and the influence of this music on the church.

The Message in the Music will be a great help to music students and to those who teach in the field of Christian music. Pastors, worship leaders, theologians, and writers and producers of Christian music will find this book a valuable resource. The book would also be very effective for small group discussion.

I found the book a very good read and most inspirational and informative.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and Informative, January 20, 2008

By 

Over the Hill (Palm Springs, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship (Paperback)

This well edited publication put into words what I had often felt: something was missing or awry in our contemporary church music. The best part is that each author offered constructive criticism and suggestions. This should be in the hands of worship leaders and pastors across the country in all types of churches. What a gift to the Christian community!