With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our Worship [Paperback]

Reggie M. Kidd (Author), Robert E. Webber (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

With One Voice examines the theology of song in worship and looks at how music is used to relate to God. Whatever the style, song has the power to bring believers into the company of the Savior himself and allows them to participate in the very redemption of all creation. Between these pages, worship leaders, church musicians and all churchgoers will discover not just the history of song in worship, but why beleivers continue to sing in worship today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From David and Jesus to Bach and the Blues Brothers

Wait. What do the Blues Brothers have in common with King David? The connection lies not simply in the fact that they are all musicians, says author Reggie Kidd, but in the reasons they sing in the first place.

With One Voice examines the rich heritage of the music of God's people to show how song is woven into Scripture's story, carrying believers into deeper relationship with God and with his purposes in redemption.

More than a mere ornament of worship, music brings the worshiper into the company of the Savior. Through this exploration of music and song, join Jesus as he sings the lament of Psalm 22 on the cross and then conducts the "great assembly" upon his resurrection. On the way, discover Christ in the voices of David, Paul, Bach, the Blues Brothers-and possibly yourself.


"With One Voice reaches deep into the history and theology of Scripture to show what it was like to sing from the heart to God and how that experience can be ours today." - John Frame, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

"Reggie Kidd blends heart and mind beautifully. He makes me seriously consider history and theology, but he also brings me to the core of worship, my heart before God. This is a great book."-Cliff Young, Caedmons Call

"Reggie Kidd unfolds a vibrant, multicolored tapestry of faith-building, life-shaping artistic expression."-Carl Stam, director, Institute for Christian Worship, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

About the Author

Reggie Kidd (Ph.D., Duke University) is professor of New Testament and dean of the chapel at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He also is the worship director at Orangewood Presbyterian Church in Maitland, Florida, and serves as a faculty member for the Institute of Worship Studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801065917
• ISBN-13: 978-0801065910
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Singing With Jesus, October 15, 2005

By 

Carla Waterman - See all my reviews
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This review is from: With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our Worship (Paperback)

We sing for Jesus. We sing to Jesus. What I particularly appreciate about "With One Voice" is Kidd's rich examination of what it means to sing with Jesus. In this book Reggie Kidd gives us a window into the kind of worship in which we all participate, whether our song is, as he says, more reminiscent of Bach-elegant and refined, "Bubba"-simple and anonymous or the Blues Brothers-passionate and on a mission.

But this book is no mere "come together for Jesus' sake" reflection. "With One Voice" is not advocating a unity from below where we try really hard to appreciate music in the church that we don't particularly like... for the sake of the Kingdom, of course. Rather, Kidd takes us deeply into Psalm 22, and helps us to hear Jesus' voice as He has sung and is singing all of our songs-whether refined or raw, controlled or full of passion. In worship we all join Jesus as He sings.

At another level, I found this book to be an expression of the very reality Kidd is writing about. For Kidd himself has several voices that all sing with Jesus. The theologian sings with his mind, the artist sings with illustrations from music, art and literature, and the man sings with honest moments from his own journey. They blend together beautifully, and for me there were moments when, even while reading, I began to hear that other voice.

This is not just a book for worship leaders. It is a book for worshippers.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Theology of Song, November 11, 2005

By 

Gary W. Peil (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our Worship (Paperback)

It is a rare privilege to read a book and feel that you have a deep personal connection to an author that you have never met. Occasionally, after preaching a sermon I will have someone come forward and say, "I feel like you were preaching to me today." After reading Reggie Kidd's new book, With One Voice I can say, "I feel like he was writing to me." Perhaps this connection was due to the fact that I have always had a profound interest in the place of music in the Church's worship. Maybe the connection was at a deeper level, because one of the inspirational voices behind Kidd's book was the teaching of Dr. Edmund P. Clowney, and I am also one who was fortunate enough to sit under Dr. Clowney's teaching while I was attending Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville. Or it's possible I connected with this book simply because it is obvious that the author and I listen to (and like) much of the same music. Upon further reflection however, I am convinced that the connection that I felt with this book was because Reggie Kidd did such a masterful job of painting a picture of Jesus Christ as the Singing Savior, the true leader of authentic worship no matter what style it might take.
In the first chapter of With One Voice Reggie Kidd states, "Christian belief is necessarily sung because when we sing it we own it better, because we just can't help ourselves, because singing puts in the company of the Savior himself." With these words Kidd sets forth his thesis that song is not an ancillary or optional component of the Christian faith. It is deeply woven into the very fabric of our theology and practice. Unfortunately much of the contemporary discussion about worship music has not focused on this element, but instead has become sidetracked on issues related to style and instrumentation. Kidd does not fall into the trap of rehashing the same old arguments surrounding the "worship wars" in the church, but instead succeeds in elevating the conversation to the level of recognizing the voice of the Singing Savior no matter what the genre.
The symphony of the gospel is in the movement from lament to victory. Kidd shows us how David was well aware of this song and structure in the organization of the hymnbook of Israel, the book of Psalms. In addition, Kidd examines Psalm 22 as a prototypical Psalm that not only captures this movement from mourning to triumph, but also serves as a prophetic hinge that reveals to us the singing of our Savior, even from the cross. In the final four chapters of With One Voice, Kidd shows how the song of the gospel is necessarily communicated in a multiplicity of genres ranging from classical, to folk, to pop. No matter where your personal musical tastes might be most comfortable, Kidd makes a compelling case for expanding those personal tastes to allow for the incredible breadth of the song of our faith. Kidd's speaks across all three musical genres not as a mere observer, but as someone who deeply resonates with the profound insights that each musical style has to offer. He seems to be as comfortable discussing Mendelssohn or Bach as he is discussing Bono or Caedmon's Call.
With One Voice is an important book for pastors, worship leaders and theologians to read, but it is also a wonderful book for anyone interested in song, worship, or connecting on a deeper level with our Singing Savior.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leader and lay person alike will find much in this book to think about, October 12, 2005

By 

Emily H. Williams (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our Worship (Paperback)

Kidd writes from a rich inner landscape of worship about his experiences as a worship leader and worshipper in several different contexts. His anecdotes and examples are intimate and personal, his treatment of the Scriptural passages is engaging and accessible, and his love for his Savior is evident throughout. People who are interested in thoughtful worship, whether from the leadership point of view or that of the `person in the pew,' will find much in this book to enrich their minds and hearts.

Of particular interest are his descriptions and discussion of the various musical types or styles that are in use in worship services. Classical ("Bach"), folk ("Bubba") and whatever is culturally `current' ("The Blues Brothers") are his categories, and these are doubtless familiar to anyone who has experienced worship in a diverse setting. Kidd's reflections on the place for each of these sorts of music and the importance of recognizing all of them in the Voice of the Singing Savior are compelling as we consider our own church environment of worship. Following the lead of the Lead Singer, Jesus, is the most important thing - and our Lead Singer sings in many ways.

I found this book moving, enlightening (the discussion of Psalm 22 in relation to worship was particularly so) and engaging in a way that many books about worship are not. I was moved to worship as I read this book, I did not merely read about worship.