Sacred Music: Its Ethical Formation, Approaching through Jeremy S. Begbie

Sacred Music: Its Ethical Formation, Approaching through Jeremy S. Begbie

Andres S. TANG

Firstly, this paper introduces the analysis of the temporal structure of music by Jeremy S. Begbie. The basic “tension-resolution-equilibrium” in various levels of a piece of music constructs the temporality of music, which enriches the dynamic quality of the rhythm and melody with a telos or direction. Secondly, by exhibiting the unique temporalization of Christian life through the device of the Christian year, this paper advocates that the church music performed in worship corresponds to the temporality of the Christian faith seen in the twin foci, Christmas and Good Friday/ Easter, as well as the link between these two events –– the Advent. Both of them are characterized by the spiral forward movement of time. Thirdly, such a unique Christian temporality re-created in worship helps to nurture and shape the ethical virtues of Christians, namely, following God's time by waiting in patience and hope. All creatures are going to grow into themselves in their own God ordained time. Christians are able to learn this through the church music performed in the worship so as to be different when viewing and practicing their lives in this way.