Musical Offerings ⦁ 2024 ⦁ Volume 15 ⦁ Number 1 19 praise.”18 For Luther, the type of music was not as important as the text. He did not prohibit Catholic styles of music as long as the text or practice did not undermine reformed theology, but instead reinforced truth. For Luther, church music could follow the Catholic Mass tradition if the congregation was involved, and the content of the text aligned with scriptural principles. Martin Luther was certainly aware of the writings of Augustine, especially due to his background as an Augustinian monk.19 Although the connection is scant, there is evidence that Augustine impacted Luther’s writings. The first similarity is in how Luther and Augustine both reference music. “I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone.”20 This description of music as a gift is full of theological significance. Miikka Anttila expounds on this idea of a gift, and how frequently it is used in his discussion of Luther’s theology. Luther’s most recurrent statement about music is that it is a gift of God. That claim may not seem surprising on its surface, but is worth a closer examination. In ‘On Music,’ Luther states that music is a gift of God, not of men (donum Dei non hominum est) and in ‘Encomion musices,’ he praises music as the excellent gift of God (donum Dei excellentissimum). Table Talk21 includes even bolder statements: that music is a great gift and divine indeed (Musica maximum, immo divinum est donum), or a distinctive gift of God and close to theology (Musica est insigne donum Dei et theologiae proxima), and finally, the greatest gift of God (optimum Dei donum).22 18 Luther, Luther’s Works, 323. 19 A member of an Augustinian order, specifically the Hermits of St. Augustine, founded in 1244 by Pope Innocent IV. Augustinian monks followed the Rule of St. Augustine which contains instructions on religious life as notated by Augustine. 20 Luther, Luther’s Works, 321. 21 Martin Luther’s work containing recorded, informal conversations held with students and colleagues in his home. During these conversations, Luther presented his opinions on a diverse array of topics. 22 Anttila, 70.
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