Music, Theology, and Exegesis

I just finished The Art of Exegesis: An Analysis of the Life and Work of Martin Hans Franzmann by Pastor Matthew E. Borrasso.  

 I was at first intimidated by this book's title, which is somewhat of a misnomer.  Martin Franzmann was a theologian and a college professor.  He's famous for a lecture series called The Art of Exegesis.  But the book isn't a textbook on exegesis.  It's about Franzmann's work, his influence, events that influenced him, and his approach to God's Word. 



Besides being a theologian, Franzmann was a hymn writer, and he authored one of my family's favorite hymns, Thy Strong Word.  He also translated many hymns from German into English.

And being both a hymn writer and a theologian, Franzmann incorporated the idea of "music" into his theology in a way I'd never considered.

Whether it is Exegetical, Historical, Systematic, or Practical, there is a temptation to let "divisions become separate compartments of study, not clearly and organically related to one another and to the whole." (page 18)

Our aim is to keep theology whole, that mind and heart, according well, may make one music. (page 18)

This idea of bringing unrelated topics together reminds me of the university.  A university, by definition, has a diversity of subjects and areas of study, but the subjects are brought together in unity.  

I like that Franzmann advocates a theological "unity within diversity" and calls it "music."  God's word is the greatest "writing" we have.  It's beyond the words on the page, and it's abundant in meaning and beauty.  And Franzmann understood and articulated the beauty and "music" of God's Word.  

I have three takeaways from this book:

1.  Franzmann's passion for God's Word convicts me on the importance of Bible study and of listening to preaching.  God brings people to truth through His very Word.

We can teach men languages, and we can teach them history...we cannot "teach" them to deny themselves and follow the Good Shepherd...For here God Himself must take over, and He does take over. (page 44)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  Romans 1:16

2.  Franzmann had things he called "PSHA!"   

...there are things not worth a person's time; as such, one must be willing to dismiss those things...time should be spent on the things that see the biblical text as life-giving. (Pages 51-52)

I'm going to remember and use this one, as I find myself getting caught up in "PSHA."

3.  Franzmann lived through many conflicts - including conflicts within his own church and between church bodies.  The book portrays him as disliking the controversy, and working to bring peace while remaining faithful to God's Word.  

We also live with conflicts, both within Christendom and within our own churches.  In these conflicts, we should neither compromise nor be too harsh.  I'm convicted to remain in prayer and keep my faith and trust in the Lord who brings all things to His glory.

Thanks, Pastor Borrasso.  It's valuable to read about the lives of influential Christians.  I was inspired by many aspects of your book.