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This Lutheran theology of worship is the basis for a Lutheran theology of music. In this theolog- ical understanding of music, proclamation of God's saving Word through music is primary. Luther iden- tified language and music as God's gifts to be used in conjunction with one another for proclaiming the Word of God. Moreover, Luther understood that we praise God by proclaiming His Word. Thus, all of our music making in the Divine Service— sung portions of the liturgy (whether by congregation, pastor, or choir), hymns, choral and vocal music, instrumental music based on hymns—has this extraordinary pro- clamatory function. As Norman Nagel observed in his introduction to Lutheran Worship (1982): "The rhythm of our worship is from him to us, and then from us back to him. He gives his gifts, and together we receive and extol them." Earlier in that same intro- duction, Nagel noted: "Music is drawn into this thank- fulness and praise, enlarging and elevating the adora- tion of our gracious giver God" (LW, p. 6). As the Lutheran theology of worship serves as the basis for a Lutheran theology of music, one can observe a significant parallel. In this theology of wor- ship, the focus is squarely on God's gifts to His crea- tures. In this theology of music, the focus is squarely on the musical proclamation of God's Word, the good news of the Gospel. Just as Lutheran worship is not about us but rather about what God has done for us, so, too, Lutheran music is not about the musicians, or even about the aesthetic beauty of the music, but it is primarily the proclamation of God's Word and secondarily the creatures' sacrifice of thanksgiving (see Psalm 116:17). As Nagel wrote: "Music is drawn into this thankfulness and praise," and, we might add, music is drawn into the very proclamation of the Gospel—Luther reminding us that proclamation and praise are inextricably connected. That a Lutheran theology of music is based on and grounded in this Lutheran theology of worship makes all the difference in terms of what music means in the Lutheran Divine Service. Music in Lutheran worship is not only about expressing joy, though that is a part of what music may accomplish within the varied con- texts of liturgy, Church Year, and lectionary. Music in Lutheran worship is not merely an accompaniment to times of reflection or meditation, though that is a part of what music may accomplish within the con- texts of liturgy, Church Year, and lectionary. Music— particularly by way of hymns, vocal/choral music, and hymn-based instrumental music—takes on specific theological meaning in Lutheran worship. That is a distinctive characteristic of Lutheran music, one that congregational singers and listeners do well to regard and understand, and one that Lutheran pastors and church musicians will always seek to nurture. • Continue reading Lutheran Music and Meaning. You'll see how Lutheran Music extends beyond the page to a full and powerful proclamation of God's Word. Find this title and others in this issue at cph.org. LUTHERAN MUSIC AND MEANING MUSIC IS DRAWN INTO THE VERY PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL—LUTHER REMINDING US THAT PROCLAMATION AND PRAISE ARE INEXTRICABLY CONNECTED. Lutheran Life 11

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