A Heathen's Journey With Sacred Music | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Heathen's Journey With Sacred Music

Bach and brimstone.

21
A Heathen's Journey With Sacred Music
breadwine.org

One of my most vivid musical memories was when I heard the opening of Johann Sebastian Bach’s "St. John Passion" for the first time. An oratorio that dramatically tells the story of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus according to John’s Gospel, it is a visceral, disturbing, and galvanizing piece of work, beginning with a churning ocean of low strings, pierced by high oboes like the thorns of Christ’s crown, and culminating with a great wall of sound when the chorus cries, as a drowning man cries for rescue, “Herr! Herr! Unser herrscher!” (Lord! Lord! Lord and Master!). I found myself immediately enthralled, and I quickly fell in love with the work, relishing its drama and pathos.

I think that sacred music has a special way of bringing out a deeply emotional and passionate side of composers, especially composers like Bach. Both the man and the music are immersed in Lutheran theology to the very bones, and almost all of his vocal music was written to fit around the Lutheran liturgical calendar, including the "St. John Passion." At the time I first heard it, I was a committed Christian and turned to this piece again and again as a consolation and an exploration of the trials and tribulations of living a Christian life-- I found great solace in it. Over the course of the next couple years, however, I realized that I had to take a different approach to the music that I’d held so dear to my heart.

Like a ton of bricks, many issues in my life, interactions and conversations with friends, coming out of the closet, reading and thinking on my own, etc., caused me to gradually lose my Christianity. Consequently, when I went back to some of my favorite sacred music, I still enjoyed it, but some of the content began to be quite troubling, particularly when these pieces talk about topics like judgement, sin and hell.

Take George Fredrick Handel’s iconic oratorio "Messiah," for example. With a text by Charles Jennings taken from both testaments, it’s performed at countless churches and concert halls every Christmas and Easter, and is enjoyed by classical music fans of all faiths for its jubilant, impeccably structured choruses and its ravishingly gorgeous arias and duets, but, in reference to those who reject Christ’s gospel, it has this to say:

“He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn, he shall have them in derision

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron

Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel”

Another example comes from Bach’s Cantata No. 115, a work very concerned with fear of the impending judgement, which says in a melancholy aria for the alto soloist:

“Oh, sleepy soul, how? Do you still rest?

Arouse yourself now!

Judgment might abruptly awaken you

and, were you not aware,

envelope you in the sleep of eternal death.”

Listening to these pieces made me re-think my opinions on some of this music that, for all of its genius, preaches that the loving creator of the universe has a special pit reserved for those who choose to believe differently about him to perish and burn in fiery torture for all eternity (an aspect of Christianity that I’d rather forget). As any former Christian can tell you, the fear of hell is very real, and causes a lot of unnecessary anxiety for those who wish to explore other belief systems, and for some people, the fear of an imaginary hell can make their lives on earth hellish for their whole lives. Even though I wasn’t a Christian for a very long time, and haven’t been for over a year now, I still occasionallyhave second thoughts and am made anxious by a fear of a judgement I don’t even believe in. It should be obvious that Christian composers should espouse standard Christian doctrine, but I kept having a gut feeling that this attitude is not something like imagining my favorite composers espousing, and it is not at all becoming of the joy, the passion, and the spiritual depth of their music.

This bothered me a great deal until one day I put on a Bach playlist on 'Spotify,' and I listened to the beloved aria “Erbarme dich” from Bach’s other great Passion, the "St. Matthew." After Peter’s threefold denial of Christ, the alto soloist sings a heart wrenchingly-melancholy aria. “Have mercy for my tears’ sake” it says, “Look how my heart and eyes weep bitterly”. As I sat in my dorm room I found myself carried away by the dark, melancholic timbre of the alto soloist, coupled with the graceful, soaring violin obbligato that is always just out of the singer’s melodic reach-- representing a moral and spiritual ideal that we strive for, but, because of our human nature, can never grasp, and can only call despairingly “Have mercy! Have mercy!” along with the soloist. I sobbed like a baby. Anyone who's heard this piece before, don't try to tell me you haven't.

In that moment I realized that by listening to this aria as a non-Christian, I gained a deeper appreciation and gratitude for what Bach has to say than I ever had when I professed the faith. This aria is more than just a piece calling on God for salvation, it is a plea to be heard, to be forgiven, to be consoled, to be understood, things that penetrate our being far beyond the levels of doctrinal outlook, and into the core of our human needs. To me, Bach and Handel aren’t writing about religion, about Christianity, or even, necessarily, about God. They are portraying for us the everyday existential struggle of crying out desperately for meaning, purpose, and love in a world which is unyieldingly and radically refuses to answer.

We shouldn’t view this music as not a preaching tool to frighten its listeners through Christian dogma; it’s too sincere, too engrossing, and too smart for that. Instead, it is an invitation to look at how the artists who made sense of their answers to their questions, and who challenge us to take this music and see how we can use it to help us, maybe, begin to find answers to ours.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774479
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

188
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

College Life: As Told By Bob's Burgers

If there's anyone who understand the struggles of college, it's the Belcher family

868
Bob's Burgers

College is a time of gaining independence, exploring new things, and copious amounts of Netflix. If you're like me, you often find yourself laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the situations you find yourself in. Here are ten times Bob's Burgers accurately captured college life.

1. What you're pretty sure your upstairs neighbors do at 3am every morning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Why Theater Kids Are the Greatest People Ever

Supportive and spontaneous human beings are the best.

657
Theater Kids

Throughout school, the theater department has always been my go-to place with go-to people when I need advice, a dance party, or just someone to listen to me vent.

You never know what's going to happen when you're dealing with theatre or what kind of characters you'll encounter. We have too much fun doing anything! One time in my senior year acting class, we spent an entire class period watching Bob's Burgers, and it was the greatest class period ever.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments