Foundations of Christian Music: The Music of Pre-Constantinian Christianity (American Essays in Liturgy)

Early Christianity was largely an auditory society--hearing was believing. This book explores the auditory environment of first-century Judaism and the essential role of music in Christianity until the time of Constantine. This guide is essential for all who work with contemporary liturgical music because it examines the unifying, expressive role of music at a time when "full, active participation" in liturgy was the norm.