Music
The universal human response to music reveals the mathematical structure of beauty and our orientation toward transcendent order—the Logos made audible.
Music and Transcendence
Music moves us in ways that defy evolutionary explanation. Darwin called music 'the most mysterious' of human faculties.
Music serves no obvious survival function—yet all cultures have it. Perhaps music exists because we are made for more than survival. We are made for worship.
- Emotional Power: Music evokes profound emotions—joy, sorrow, awe, transcendence. It bypasses reason and speaks directly to the soul.
- No Survival Value: Music serves no obvious evolutionary function—yet all cultures have it. Steven Pinker called it 'auditory cheesecake'—but this trivializes its power.
- Spiritual Experience: Music can induce experiences of the sacred and transcendent. 'He who sings prays twice'—Augustine.
- Sehnsucht: Music evokes longing for something beyond—Lewis's 'inconsolable longing.' We are homesick for heaven.
Sacred Music
Music has always been central to worship. From the Psalms to Bach's Mass in B Minor, music lifts the soul to God.
Christianity produced the greatest music in human history. Gregorian chant, polyphony, Bach, Handel, Mozart's Requiem—all were created for the glory of God.
- Liturgical Tradition: From Gregorian chant to Bach—Christianity produced the greatest music. Bach signed his works 'Soli Deo Gloria'—to God alone be glory.
- Psalms and Hymns: Scripture commands singing—music is integral to faith. 'Sing to the Lord a new song.' The Psalms are the hymnbook of Israel.
- Heavenly Worship: Music anticipates the eternal worship of heaven. Revelation describes the 'new song' sung before the throne.
- Incarnational Art: Music is spirit made flesh—invisible meaning in audible form. Like the Incarnation, it bridges heaven and earth.