Music has often been a "hot
potato" in the life of the Christian church, and the subject
may never have been more controversial than during the past fifty
years.
At one end of the spectrum, there are those
who tell us that the only words that should be sung in the church
are those forming the Old Testament Psalms -- and that they should
be sung without any musical accompaniment. At the other end, there
are those who say that any kind of music -- rock, pop, jazz, punk,
country and western, rap, or whatever 'turns people on' is perfectly
legitimate for use in worship and evangelism.
Dan Lucarini never approached the first of
these extremes, but he came within touching distance of the second,
and it is from his deeply involved experience of the modern music
scene, secular and otherwise, that this book is written.
The author's honest sharing of his own
spiritual and musical journey prepares the way for his assessment of
what he sees to be a major problem in today's church -- and makes it
more difficult to deny that he in on to something.
This book will undoubtedly raise many
hackles, but Lucarini's direct and uncompromising style is harnessed
to a gracious spirit concerned with nothing else but God's glory.
This is nowhere more evident than in his warm and wise treatment of
the subject of worship and ministry.
John Calvin once wrote, "We know by
experience that music has a secret and almost incredible power to
move hearts." The reformer was right -- and we should therefore
give its use in the life of the church serious and God-centered
attention. I pray that this book will help us to do so.
John Blanchard
|
