"The illusion of Christian vocal groups, that a sacred text makes a piece of music "religious," dominates the transitional structure no more than does autonomous music" (Van der Leeuw 220).
Van der Leeuw believes that music has become a servant of the Church and of the world. Is there a difference between religious music and spiritual music? Religious music is designed to worship God. It is made for communication between us and God. Van der Leeuw also says, "To us a chorale tune seems particularly religious. But it is not "spiritual" (220). He is saying that the words do not make a song religious, it is the melody. A melody that "awakens the consciousness of the wholly other; of what is perfect" (221). One of my favorite songs is called "Embracing Accusation."
Embracing Accusation
It is a song written by a Christian band called Shane and Shane about how we should embrace what the devil accuses of us: not being good enough for God. But the devil doesn't tell us the most important part: Jesus saves. It is a powerful song not only because of the words, but also because of the melody. The end of the song is a beautiful piano melody. Listening to the lyrics makes me think of God, but during this piano part is when I feel most connected with God. It reminds me of His beauty. To me this is religious; this is spiritual.
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