Luther's theological understanding of the essence of music: music is a gift of God

Abstract

Compared with his peers and successors of the Reformation, Luther had a more positive and tolerant view of music. " [Music] is a gift of God and not of man" is the cornerstone of Luther's music view and also his theological understanding of the essence of music. Luther's theology of the essence of music is quite original and closely related to Luther's understanding of grace, gift, and creation. In Luther's view, God created the world and all things through the world and all things speak and self-interpret himself, the universe and all things emit their own sound and harmony, that is, their music, God through his gift to share his divinity and eternal power. This article attempts to explore the theological origin and meaning of Luther’s famous musical theology proposition from Luther’s creation theory and the theological understanding of grace and gift, as well as the manifestation and acceptance of musical gifts as genius and creativity.