The 'cognitive' and the 'emotive' component in Christian songs: Tracing the shifts in traditional and contemporary songs

Abstract

This research article is based on the author�s doctoral research into the question of quality criteria for Christian songs. In many Christian congregations today, the question of music is an emotive issue as the service and its music touch the heart of people�s faith life and shapes people�s theology. Of the many issues that were investigated in the dissertation, this article focuses on one question only, the question of the �cognitive� and the �emotive� value of the songs that are sung in a Sunday service. It will be argued that, in �good� songs, there needs to be a good balance between �cognitive� and �emotive� value. The general question is how to identify songs that can nurture faith and sustain people through life. Characteristic of such songs is, amongst many other criteria, a good balance between the cognitive and emotive value of the text and the tune. In the discussion, the author focusses largely on her own Lutheran liturgical and hymnological tradition as well as on the �Praise and Worship� movement which has a dramatic impact on churches all over the world. The author argues that finding songs that balance the emotive and the cognitive component is an effective way to bridge the divides on worship music within a congregation.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Within the discipline of hymnological studies, the article opens a ground-breaking new way to analyse and critique music used in worship with objective tools for analysis. This is, as far as the author knows, new for this discipline, and it also has an effect on other disciplines.

“We Need a Song of Hope”: Responding to the COVID-19 Informational and Psychospiritual Needs of Residents of a Gated Community in the Philippines

“…In our study, the respondents tended to draw inspirations from Christian songs. Christian songs that address cognitive and emotive states (Tonsing et al, 2015 ) may be attractive to Christians in times of crises. Some kinds of music may improve blood pressure (Sutoo & Akiyama, 2004 ), enhance positive emotional states (McCraty et al, 1996 ) and can be used to educate and improve knowledge about diseases (Yoshida et al, 2012 ) and facilitate relaxation (Krout, 2007 ).…”

The importance of understanding and making sense of Zulu traditional hymns as a symbol of expressing worship: Cognitive hermeneutics and hermeneutics of hymnody theories

“…This study is anchored within the cognitive hermeneutics and hermeneutics of hymnody theories. The cognitive hermeneutics theory was framed within the larger question of the importance of understanding and making sense of traditional hymns as a symbol of expressing worship (Tepe 2011;Tönsing et al 2015). George (2020) stated that:…”

“…However, there is an ongoing concern about gospel groups and musicians who continuously fail to grasp or deliberately ignore the traditional hymns' original meaning and purpose. Many scholars have documented that musicians should sing and place traditional hymns within the context of their underlying meaning and express authentic emotions that are essential to understanding the hymns' profound meaning and spirituality (Tönsing, Wepener & Vos 2015;Tshabalala & Patel 2010). Various historical, demographic, theological, economic and technological shifts influence how contemporary gospel groups and musicians interpret their music (Davies & Thate 2017;Ngema 2020).…”

“…Zulu traditional hymns are believed to have a powerful ability to move people emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Thus, hymns have a distinct role in expressing emotion and worship (Mzondi 2018;Tönsing et al 2015). Scholars agree that in the era of missionaries in South Africa, large social groups were not privileged enough to understand and read the Bible as it was written in foreign languages (English and Dutch) (Nkomazana & Setume 2016:48).…”

“…Although there is extensive literature on African traditional hymns (Masondo 2018;Mzondi 2018;Nkomazana & Setume 2016;Tönsing et al 2015), the existing literature only focuses on the history, content and structural approach to these traditional hymns. Furthermore, limited attention is given to addressing and discussing the importance of understanding and making sense of Zulu traditional hymns as a form of expressing worship.…”