Dear Karen,

I think it is very difficult to answer this question in a few words. I am interested in this subject because I am currently studying the relationship between Christianity and dancing in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, so it is a very long running debate. As you said, there are two schools of thinking, but a lot of nuances too, and this is true for all the history of Christianity from its origins onwards. I think that even in contemporary ages you can find, on one hand, some Christians that say that a Christian should not listen to "profane" music (but what music? all music? the kind of music that sanctimonius people usually define as "satanic"? or something else?); but, on the other hand, you can also find some Christians that play "profane music" (but I think that there is not a real definition of "profane or secular music") in churches and this is approved by the Church hierarchy. Anyway, if I find some journal articles on this specific topic during my research I will let you know.

Best wishes.

Donatella

Thank you Donatella! Christianity for me is such a fascinating area of study. Yes, if you come across any articles that address the different schools of thoughts or the tensions within the church around this area, please forward them along.

Warmest regards,

Karen

I say yes, often there was to the same music with a religious text a secular text added by exchange - examples show the German Protestant hymnbook