The Reformation brought about a distinctively new culture, with the arts reflecting tremendously greater joy and meaning than before. Luther embraced the cultural music; Zwingly eliminated music; Calvin sought to sanctify it. Beza produced Calvin’s Psalter, which became an international songbook with 27,400 copies being printed in 1562 alone. One brilliant example of Reformation impact on culture is seen in Johann Sebastian Bach. He was an ardent Lutheran who would write on every piece of musical composition that he was satisfied with, S. D. G., which stood for Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). Bach sensed the glory of God ringing throughout creation and through his own music he designed to reflect the beauty and glory of God in a manner that would be most pleasing to both God and man.

The Reformation revived insight into the delightfully good news that the enjoyment of the arts was one way that people could taste the enjoyment of God. The arts came alive; culture was impacted.