Christian music Quote by N.T. Wright
““I find it impossible, therefore, to imagine a growing and maturing church or individual Christian doing without the Psalms. And that is why (to be frank) a fair amount of contemporary Christian music has worried me for some time. The last generation in the Western churches has seen an enormous explosion in “Christian music,” with hundreds of new songs written and sung, often with great devotion and energy. That is wonderful; like all new movements, it will no doubt need to shake down and sift out the wheat from the chaff, but one would much rather have all these new signs of life than the sterile repetition of stale traditions. Until very recently, though, the kind of traditions from which this new music has emerged, traditions that think of themselves as “biblical,” after all, would always have included solid doses of psalmody. If that has changed, the sooner it changes back the better, with, of course, all the resources of fresh musical treatments upon which to draw. To worship without using the Psalms is to risk planting seeds that will never take root.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Surprised by Hope, N.T. Wright, 2008
The author argues that the Psalms are essential for a vibrant Christian worship and identity, and that neglecting them risks a shallow faith.
In simple terms: Psalms are vital for healthy church life.
Reintegrate Psalms into worship.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- church services
- personal devotion
- songwriting workshops
- seminary curricula
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern music honor ancient Psalms?
- What risks arise when worship ignores Scripture?
If Psalms are over‑used, they may become rote and lose impact.