John Frame, Contemporary Worship Music

Last week I was asked if there is a book that analyzes modern music the way that classical music has. The question was part of a conversation centered on the validity of certain musical styles for worship. Although I still can't think of a book that dissects and analyzes modern music--the closest I know about are books on modern songwriting, per se--I do know of a book that makes a sound scriptural case for using modern pop music in worship: John Frame's Contemporary Worship Music--A Biblical Defense.

Frame was a professor of mine when I was at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Fl. He's an accomplished theologian and tireless author. He is also very fair in dealing with those he disagrees with. In CWM he reviews Marva Dawn's Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down and the writings of other current theologians who stand firmly against the use of modern musical (read: "pop") idioms in worship, like D.G. Hart.

Frame is a classically trained musician, and I think prefers this style over against most others. But his bottom line is sola Scriptura. In fact the final paragraph in the chapter on quality, Frame says:

My concluding message for both advocates and critics of CWM is this: back to the Bible; sola Scriptura. If our major concern in worship is to follow Scripture, then we will be saved from both sterile traditionalism and unedifying innovation.

The book is very helpful for pastors and worship leaders who are experiencing the pains that change in musical expression in worship inevitably brings. Chapter 2, entitled "A Theology of Worship: Some Basics" is especially important for leaders in the church.

CWM, along with Frame's In Spirit and Truth, are must reads. Thankfully, they are both thorough without being technical.