It was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God

by Ned Bustard (Editor), Keith Getty (Editor), Shai Linne

What does it mean to be a creative individual in the world of music who is a follower of the creative God? It Was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God strives to answer that question through a series of essays which offer theoretical and practical insights into music making from a Christian perspective.

Genres: Music, Christian

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2013

About the author

I have written a number of books including Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups, History of Art: Creation through Contemporary, the Legends & Leagues geography series, and Squalls Before War: His Majesty’s Schooner Sultana. I am the owner of World’s End Images. I am on the board of ASCHA and on staff with CIVA. In my spare time I am the creative director for Square Halo Books, for whom I edited the book It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God and Bigger on the Inside: Christianity and Doctor Who. I recently illustrated the Saint Valentine the Kindhearted for IVP Kids. Find me on Amazon and buy all my books through Hearts & Minds Bookstore.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of essays ranges from the practical (writing, touring, listening) to the theological (use of instruments in worship, mission) to the expressive (jazz, world music, suffering, creativity). There's easier down to earth essays, more technical essays, and many in between. Overall this exposes the musician or those interested in musical thought and expression to a variety of subjects and a variety of authors/perspectives applicable to a Christian (or even someone who isn't) who happens to be a musician looking to be faithful and improve their craft whether the context is the local church, the college conservatory, or the local pub.

[Darby Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few chapters in this one (Bethany Brooks' was my favorite), but it was such a mixed-bag mishmash that it got to be a chore to read after a while... mixed bag like mixing M&M's and Skittles and then eating a handful.

[Angus Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

V good collection of essays; some are inspired, some not, as you’d expect. Almost all of them made me glad to be a musician!