Music & Architecture in the Middle Ages

Psalm 104:31, “...may the Lord rejoice in his works”; God is glorified when Christians rightly find beauty in his creation through music and architecture. 

The medieval world emphasized the importance of monophonic singing and the use of science through measurement and architecture. The Church in the Middle Ages cautiously implemented (or opposed) new artistic forms, such as polyphony. However they seemed to idolize various art forms, such as architecture. 

Monophonic singing was prevalent in the Middle Ages, while polyphonic music and harmonies were thought to distract people from the words (Caroli, 27). It's helpful for modern Christians to learn from this point of tension in history; to recognize the hesitancy and reverence the Church showed towards embracing new forms of music and art. They were aware of the beauty that music could bring but also attempted to discern when it was not appropriate.

As the Middle Ages used music strategically to spur on a greater understanding of the prayers and doctrines recited, it was to “rightly touch” and “enlighten” the hearts through the Holy Spirit (Calvin, 365). The architecture was also to display the beauty of God through every aspect and measurement of the structural designs (Simson, 35). A dangerous assumption was that an “invisible power to draw the souls of men and to inflame them with divine love” was only present when music was recited the same way the Holy Fathers did (Caroli, 27), or only when the architectural design was specific, and that of heaven coming down to earth (Simson, 39). 

When too much emphasis is placed on the art form itself, there is an unhealthy idolization of the creation over the creator and intrinsic belief that God is limited to working only in restricted ways.

Christians in the Middle Ages had a fear of delighting in music. If people enjoyed the music, they believed the fundamental truths of the lyrics would be avoided (Caroli, 26). However, to contradict this belief, it is written in Psalm 104:31, the Lord himself takes delight in his creation. Through the later work of theologians such as Jonathan Edwards, it is precisely in our enjoyment of him and what he has given us, such as the beauty of music, that we are satisfied in God, and he is most glorified (Edwards, Volume 17: Sermons and Discourses).

Christians in the Middle Ages were careful to implement new art forms of music and architecture. It is helpful to learn from their vigilance as Christians today to proceed with caution. At the same time, we must be careful not to overemphasize/idolize the art itself above our Creator. We seek to build and create art that the Lord himself takes delight in.

Sources: The Crisis of Music in Early Modern Europe by Robert C. Legman