Theory and Practice

I remember the first time I heard the phrase "theory and practice."  It was my freshman year as a music student and one of our textbooks was called "Music in Theory and Practice."  Much of collegiate education focuses on a balance between the "theoretical" (the philosophy, history, and nuts and bolts of something) and the "practical " (the day-to-day, hands-on, in the moment use of something).  I'm sad to report that both in collegiate and my graduate classes, for the most part, it was heavy on the philosophic and light on the practical.

I have recently thought about these two words again in light of our worship experience and how polarized we are about elements within it, whether it be traditional music vs. contemporary music OR reverence vs. celebration.  In some ways, when you break these hot-button debates down, there is a "theory vs. practice argument" in place here as well.

Traditional hymnody appeals to the intellectual side of what we do, or the "theoretical" side.  The same can be said for those that desire a more quiet and reflective atmosphere in worship.  Reflection stimulates thought, and this thought is what helps us ponder, philosophize, and engage our intellect.  These are valid and Biblical things.

Contemporary worship songs are lyrically and musically designed to engage on a more emotional level.  Our emotions reflect the "here and now" of our who we are.  We can get emotional over nostalgic things for sure, but for the most part, our emotions are a very "practical" thing.  They are in the present and are reactionary to our immediate surroundings.  Thus, charismatic music, celebratory songs, and mantra-ish repetition (hear me: not necessarily a bad thing) engage the emotions, and are a loose parallel to the "practical" side of this comparison.  Guess what - also valid and Biblical parts of our worship experience.

I don't think we give Mark 12:30, known as the greatest commandment, it's full emphasis of the balance of loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  This is especially true when we become critical of one of the two "sides" I've mentioned.

So, just like trained classical musicians like myself should be theorist and practitioners, in our worship we should worship God, in theory, and in practice.