New directions in music and theology

Abstract

This short article surveys one small but important debate taking place in Christian music theology regarding the arts and divine revelation. Jeremy Begbie’s theology through the arts allows for music’s revelatory testimony within the context of Scripture, doctrine and Christian history. David Brown and Gavin Hopps’ notion of the extravagance of music argues for music’s ability to break down doctrinal and scriptural limitations, where being open to the divine mystery through spiritual musical experience can replace the need for religious revelation through Scripture or the Church. I conclude that both camps start with theological concepts that shape the outcome of their arguments.