I have been working this semester on creating a first draft of an open textbook on The Bible and Music and have the draft shared online so that I can use it with students to gather feedback in the course that inspired it and for which I am, in the first instance, developing it (although I obviously hope it will be more broadly useful). I am grateful to the PALSave initiative of PALNI, the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana, for their enthusiastic support for this initiative and for open educational resources more generally.
https://www.palni.org/2021/03/23/palsave-textbook-creation-grants-awarded-to-faculty-textbook-authors/
See also the article in Inside Higher Ed on adoption of open educational resources.
I am glad that Del Case of Wheaton College in Massachussetts (right, not that one, the other one) was able to make a guest appearance in my class to talk about Jesus in popular music. He will be giving a series of talks in June on that topic: “Jesus Is Just Alright: What Pop Songs About Jesus Can Teach Christians Today.” He also has an event coming up sooner, the afternoon of April 15th, on Psalm 57: “In the shadow of your wings: Musical Bible study on the Psalms.” Del Case also wrote about sacred choral music at the Grammys and asked what shadows sound like.
There is a lecture, “Christianity and Opera: Grace, Faith, and Miracles,” to be delivered by Desirée Mays, coming up April 2oth. That event is organized by St. Thomas Church in New York City.
The Bible and Chinese Church Music
https://talesoftimesforgotten.com/2021/04/07/heres-the-meaning-of-the-symbolism-in-lil-nas-xs-controversial-new-music-video/
History and story Psalms, too long for liturgy?
Michael Bird reflects on Psalm 23
Bob MacDonald wrote about Psalm 7, Psalm 8, Psalm 9-10, Psalm 13, Psalm 33, Psalm 71, Psalm 72, Psalm 78, Psalm 89, Psalm 118, and Judges 5. See also his Locrian mode in Psalm 69? (with follow-up); available performances; and composing during the pandemic.
John Squires blogged about Psalms 122-124, Psalms 125-127, Psalms 128-130, and Psalms 131-134.
Gates’ The Black Church includes significant attention to music
A meditation on jazz during Lent
Ancient Greek Music in Performance
Symphony of a Thousand Millennia
Bible Translation: Scripture as Literature
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