Calvin, Singing, and African American Praise Service

Very few African American Baptists realize how indebted we are to Calvin and the Protestant Reformation for many of our cherished beliefs. Those who know a little about Calvin have a narrow view of him, and see him as overly cerebral, stuffy, cold, and too intellectual. On the surface Calvin's Institutes, seems to be monstrous and too heady for the average Joe or Jane Christian. Not so. It is full of sharp intellect, yes; but also Calvin's personal winsomeness shines.

One aspect of Calvin's theology that is often overlooked is his theology of worship. Obviously Calvin is consumed with the doctrine of God in the Institutes, and his theology of worship emanates from this. Two things are important to consider regarding Calvin's theology of worship: first, God is sovereign and must be worshiped; and second, God commands how he is to be worshiped. Within this, reverence and humility in worship is a necessity and commanded as I wrote of last week.

With this stated, Calvin's remarks on singing reflect the above mentioned emphases. In Book 3 Chapter 20, Section 32, Calvin states that singing must "be tempered to that gravity which is fitting in the sight of God and the angels" because singing helps us to pray. Elsewhere, Calvin would assert that singing is a second type of prayer. Anyone would say that there is a humility and reverence inherent in prayer; therefore, Calvin recognizes that such should mark singing since it is a type of prayer.

If such would be applied in African American church circles, a great reform would occur. This reform would dismantle much of the performances characteristic of singing in African American churches. Some may argue that it is our culture to sing with such bravado and passion, but is it biblical? No Christian would argue that zeal and emotion should be left out of our corporate praises, but it is wrapped up in reverence and humility. Paul commands Christians to sing with the spirit and the mind. This assumes a type of sobreity in praise, and also a type of moderation. That's the key. Moderation. Calvin states, "when this moderation is maintained, it is without any doubt a most holy and salutary practice." Is this cultural? No, it is biblical. It is worthy of following and applying in African American worship.