Theology, Music and Time aims to show how music can enrich and advance theology, extending our wisdom about God and God's ways with the world. Instead of asking: what can theology do for music?, it asks: what can music do for theology? Jeremy Begbie argues that music's engagement with time gives the theologian invaluable resources for understanding how it is that God enables us to live 'peaceably' with time as a dimension of the created world. Without assuming any specialist knowledge of music, he explores a wide range of musical phenomena - rhythm, metre, resolution, repetition, improvisation - and through them opens up some of the central themes of the Christian faith - creation, salvation, eschatology, time and eternity, Eucharist, election and ecclesiology. He shows that music can not only refresh theology with new models, but also release it from damaging habits of thought which have hampered its work in the past.

‘It would be difficult to overpraise this book … it breaks new ground, it is both insightful and highly informed and it is written in a style devoid of the obscurity that often mars musicological reflection.’

Gordon Graham Source: Scottish Journal of Theology

‘A book that is wide-ranging, stimulating and full of insight.’

Source: Musical Times

‘ … a delightful exploration of the relevance of music for a variety of theological themes … Begbie has written an excellent book, illuminating both of music and theology. It offers a great deal of stimulation for others to explore a relatively little developed field.’

Stephen Carr Source: Theology

‘An impressive tour de force of great originality and insight.’

Source: Expository Times

‘It would be difficult to over-praise this book. It breaks new ground, it is both insightful and highly informed and it is written in a style devoid of the obscurity that often mars musicological reflection … the most substantial book ever written on these themes.’

Gordon Graham Source: Scottish Journal of Theology

‘This is a book for those with a more than passing interest in both music and theology. Though a demanding work, Begbie’s book expects specialist knowledge of neither, simply thoughtful engagement. It deserves a very wide readership because it offers an interdisciplinary study from two specialisms in both of which Begbie is a practitioner.’

Source: Theological Book Review

‘… a brilliant work of integration. A wide range of musical examples abound and the theological sources are extensive … if this subject is of any interest to you, I highly recommend it.’

Geoff Colmer