Why do Lutherans Sing? Lutherans, Music, and the Gospel in the First Century of the Reformation

Abstract

Martin Luther regarded music as a crucial instrument to communicate the Gospel and the Reformation message. From the outset of his Reformation, a distinctive Lutheran musical tradition was fostered in electoral Saxony, its dependent territories and neighboring principalities. A review of contemporary records from the second decade of the sixteenth century to the turn of the seventeenth century enables the assessment of the role music played as an educational and theological tool in the life of Lutheran communities: the School Ordinances of electoral Saxony and neighboring principalities show the incorporation of music as a key curricular requirement in Lutheran education, while the Statutes of Lutheran choirs [Kantoreien] illustrate how theologians, educators and musicians closely worked together to shape Lutheran communities centred on music-making, in order to reform worship, further the Reformation message and to create community cohesion.T HE establishment of an enduring choral tradition is one of the hallmarks of the Lutheran Reformation. One of the key motivators for the development of such a distinctive devotional tradition that placed music and singing at the center of its worship and teaching was undoubtedly the personal affinity Martin Luther had for music. 1 He not only was a competent singer, hymn writer, and composer, but also strongly believed that music was an ideal means to come to know and proclaim the mystery of

Music as a Means to Spread Martin Luther’s Message

“…Wherever it may be helpful and beneficial, I should gladly have it rung out by all bells and played on all organ pipes and proclaimed by everything that makes a sound." 24 Andreas Loewe describes that Luther wanted the young generation to be excited about God's Word, and he saw all forms of artistry as a means to accomplish this goal. As a result, many people were "making the Word of God known through their skills; organists and town pipers found ways of accompanying singers in praising God."…”