John Hodges in Chapel Today

(update: these lectures are now available at Covenant Theological Seminary's Resources page)As part of the Francis Schaeffer Institute Lecture Series, Professor John Hodges spoke in chapel today.

If his credentials were not impressive enough--conductor, lecturer, composer, teacher, and writer; conducting orchestras and choruses since finishing graduate studies in music at Indiana University in 1983; composed and arranged music for Second Presbyterian Church for 10 years, and conducted their choirs; lectures on the subjects of aesthetics, classical education, and music, and writes occasional articles for various publications on the arts; held the position of Associate Professor of the Arts and Culture at Crichton College where he taught classes in worldview, history of music and visual art, and reader’s theater; etc. etc.---

If his musical accompaniment of the worship team--leaving the podium to take up his guitar and bring forth a moving rendition of "Caedmon's Call"'s Shifting Sand(referral link)--

If his unfolding of David's desire for and satisfaction of the Lord's beauty (Ps. 27:4)--gazing with fulfilled contentment on the beauty of the Lord, and full, and resting; resting that explodes into song--

If his reflective theologizing on transcendental elements of creation--truth, goodness, and beauty; and the interpretive nature of music (as composition) that allows for, yes invites, critique on artistic criteria--

If his description of music as language--a unique syntax that communicates through the elements of rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, form and texture, reflecting the relationship between music and lyrics--

...the moment of glory came when--just before taking the stage--John's wife, Day, reached out from one row back to cup his hands in hers as if to say, "I am your prayer, Christ is your strength. Now...go get them!"

And how did he! Thanks John.

(This chapel message will be available to download from the Covenant Seminary alumni portal early next week).