A Cappella Music: In the Public Worship of the Church, 4th ed.

by Everett Ferguson

Publisher:

Desert Willow

, 2013

Overview

In this well-researched book, prominent scholar Everett Ferguson argues that a cappella, or unaccompanied, congregational singing rests on good biblical, historical, and doctrinal grounds. Drawing from his extensive scholarly background, Ferguson combines his knowledge of Greek and Latin, ancient church history, and Christian fellowship to give meaning and context to his discussion of the power of a cappella music. Ferguson’s work is packed with insights for anyone interested in worship, music in the church, and church history.

The Logos Bible Software edition of A Cappella Music: In the Public Worship of the Church enhances your study of music in public worship. Scripture passages link directly to your preferred English translations and original-language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful topical searches help you find what other authors, scholars, and theologians bring to the conversation.

Key Features

• Provides historical context for Scripture relating to music in public worship
• Includes questions for discussion in each section
• Contains a glossary and selected bibliography

Contents

• Foreword
• Preface
• Chapter I: The New Testament Evidence
• Psallo: Its History and Meanings
  • The Linguistic Problem
  • Psallo in the Greek Old Testament
  • Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Greek Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha
  • Josephus and Philo
  • Psallo in the New Testament
  • Psallo in Early Church Literature
  • Questions for Study
• Context of New Testament Times
  • Temple Worship
  • Synagogue Worship
  • Philo on Music
  • Conclusion on New Testament Evidence
  • Questions for Study
• Chapter II: The Testimony of History
  • Singing in Christian Worship
  • The Non-Use of an Instrument
  • Allegorical Interpretations of the Psalms
  • Statements Favorable to Instruments
  • Interpretations of the Word “Psalm”
  • Condemnations of Instrumental Music
  • The Significance of Culture
  • Later History
  • Questions for Study
• Chapter III: Doctrinal Considerations
  • Nature of Worship
  • Spiritual Worship
  • Edification
  • The Classical Form of Church Music
  • Conclusion.
  • Questions for Study
• Ancient Authors and Works Cited
• Glossary
• Selected Bibliography
• Index of Biblical Passages
• Index of Jewish Literature
• Index of Non-Christian Greek and Roman Literature
• Index of Early Christian Literature
• Index of Subjects
• About the Author

Top Highlights

“The very term used in musical circles for unaccompanied singing sums up the evidence of church history. A cappella comes from the Latin by way of Italian and is used to mean ‘in the style of the church,’ ‘as is done in the church.’ The classical form of church music is unaccompanied song. To abstain from the use of the instrument is not a peculiar aberration of ‘a frontier American sect’: this was easily, until comparatively recent times, the majority tradition of Christian history. Virtually no one has said it is wrong to worship a cappella, whereas many have thought instrumental music in worship is wrong. It may not appear to be true today, but against the whole sweep of Christian history a cappella music is the truly ecumenical ground to occupy.” (Page 98)

“Conversely, psallo with the simple meaning ‘sing’ or ‘sing praise’ (‘sing the psalms’) is well attested before New Testament times.” (Page 12)

“Even more decisive for the meaning of Ephesians 5:19 are the Old Testament parallels: psallo en plus an instrument in certain passages in the Psalms (1 Sam. 16:16; Ps. 33:2; 71:22; 98:5; 144:9; 147:7; 149:3) meant to make melody ‘on the instrument named’ to the Lord. According to these parallels, if Paul has thought of psallo in the broader sense of ‘make melody’ or even ‘play,’ then he has specified the instrument on which the melody is to be made, namely the heart. These Old Testament parallels would also rule out the possibility of construing ‘in your hearts’ with ‘sing’ as well as with ‘make melody.’” (Page 26)

Product Details

• Title: A Cappella Music: In the Public Worship of the Church
• Author: Everett Ferguson
• Edition: Fourth
• Publisher: Desert Willow
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 142

About Everett Ferguson

Everett Ferguson (1933–) received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and served on the faculty of Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, beginning in 1962, where he taught church history and Greek. He is now professor emeritus in its College of Biblical Studies and distinguished scholar-in-residence. Although he retired from full-time teaching in 1990 to devote himself to research, he occasionally teaches a few classes at ACU. He is the author of many books, including Backgrounds of Early Christianity.