Music—God’s Mysterious Gift

“This book is a concise yet profound explanation of how music affects the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian communities, covering both the natural effects of music by itself and the extraordinary potential of music coupled with the word of God.”


—Joseph Herl, professor of music, Concordia University





“A detailed, multi-disciplinary study of music from a Christian confessional perspective, this book explores music as God’s gift through music theory, physiology, history, and culture. A substantive book worth the time and effort it takes to read.”


—Paul Westermeyer, professor emeritus of church music and seminary cantor, Luther Seminary





“In Music—God’s Mysterious Gift, James Brauer, Lutheran theologian and musicologist, takes a fresh look at how the power of music and the power of God’s word combine to provide meaning in the Christian life. By exploring the science of musical perception, elements of music, and music in both Old and New Testament contexts, Brauer provides new insights into how the Christian might use God’s gift of music wisely.”


—Daniel Zager, librarian emeritus, Sibley Music Library, Eastman School of Music





“Debate swirls around the church’s use of music. Surmounting this necessitates theological foundations. So with Music—God’s Mysterious Gift. James Brauer provides a theology of music: ‘holy music serving a holy Lord sustaining a holy people.’ Second to God’s word, music is a profound gift in the Creator’s trinitarian story leading to Jesus. Shared with all cultures, music has the divinely given, word-laden, creaturely inventive power to bind us to God and one another. Explore God’s mysterious gift.”


—Kent J. Burreson, professor of systematic theology, Concordia Seminary