Flipbooks

SINGING & LISTENING IN THE DIVINE SERVICE THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP THEOLOGY OF MUSIC A Lutheran theology of worship emphasizes what is primary and of first importance: in the Divine Service, we receive God's richest gis—forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life in the very presence of Christ. In the waters of Holy Baptism, God "claims us as His own" (LSB, p. 268) and, in the words of the Small Catechism, "works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe" (Baptism, Second Part; LSB, p. 325). In the Lord's Supper, we receive the true body and blood of Christ "under the bread and wine" for the "forgive- ness of sins, life, and salvation" (Sacrament of the Altar; LSB, pp. 326, 327). The Word of God, which permeates the Divine Service, is "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). The Holy Spirit works through the Word: "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith" (Third Article; LSB, p. 323). In the Divine Service, through Word and Sacrament, God is the gracious giver of priceless gifts— forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life. Those gifts from our merciful God are primary. We receive those gifts and subsequently offer our thanks and praise, which is secondary. This Lutheran theology of worship "puts first things first," emphasizing God's life-giving gifts to His redeemed creatures, rather than our acts of praise, which sometimes are mistakenly con- ceptualized as the sum total of worship. Excerpt from Lutheran Music and Meaning © 2023 Daniel Zager, pages 108–10, published by Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. 10 Lutheran Life

• Cover