An interesting observation from Calvin’s Stapert’s study of musical thought in the early church [see review here]:
I have quoted above James McKinnon’s characterization of their [the church fathers] polemic against it [some of the pagan music that surrounded them]: their response is characterized by ‘vehemence and uniformity.’ That uniformity is especially striking considering how different those writers were in other respects. Whether they were Greek-speaking or Latin-speaking, pre- or post-Constantine, conciliatory or antagonistic toward pagan learning, lifelong Christians or converts—whatever their background or personality, they agreed that Christians should distance themselves from some of the music of the surrounding culture.
Calvin R. Stapert, A New Song for an Old World: Musical Thought in the Early Church
Chuck Bumgardner says
Yes, that is striking, isn’t it? You just might think that they understood something that most Christians by and large don’t understand anymore. Part of that is that they had a different take on the communicative possibilities and power of music, I think.
Brian says
I agree completely on both counts.