"What has Christ to do with Apollo?":Unpacking the Apollonian and Dionysian Principles in Joseph Ratzinger's Theology of Music David Birkdale (bio) ABSTRACT The Apollonian and Dionysian spirits occupy a central role in the theology of liturgical music proposed by Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI). These terms highlight different priorities in music: the Apollonian represents reason, while the Dionysian represents primal emotion. Ratzinger holds that liturgical music should always be Apollonian, placing himself in a tradition that goes back to Plato. This article examines the history of this tradition, and argues against the Dionysian alternative proposed by Nietzsche and its current proponents, who regard the priority of the Apollonian spirit as essentially a form of European colonialism. Citing an example from Kongzi (Confucius), I show that the Apollonian spirit is not limited to Western thought, and allows for an experience of the Logos, a universal value. KEY WORDS Logos, Apollonian, Dionysian, Benedict XVI, music In The Spirit of the Liturgy, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) argues that liturgical music ought to conform to an Apollonian, rather than a Dionysian, principle. By applying these concepts to the liturgy, Ratzinger borrows terms from philosophy and places himself in a long tradition originating [End Page 57] in Plato's Republic. I claim that these terms highlight an important fault line between contemporary understandings of liturgy, and that only an Apollonian understanding of the liturgy allows full participation by worshippers. My survey of the history of these terms demonstrates that there is essentially a two-sided debate that plays out between the supporters of "Apollo" and "Dionysus." Ratzinger's Apollonian position, historically, is more mainstream, and finds heavy support in Plato as well as theologically in Erasmus, Romano Guardini, and others. On the other hand, we have a prominent minority opinion most fully expressed in Nietzsche, who argues against Apollonian dominance over the Dionysian and finds traction in contemporary proponents of a decolonized liturgy. While opponents of Apollonian liturgical music raise serious objections, their indebtedness to Nietzsche leaves them with a violent anthropology, of emotions against reason, which is particularly problematic in its liturgical expression. These terms, while European in origin, highlight a universal value: music that facilitates full participation in the liturgy, body and soul. To address Ratzinger's position, I will begin by outlining his use of Apollonian and Dionysian terminology before moving on to their roots in Platonic thought. Then, I will show how Nietzsche reinterprets the Apollo-Dionysus rivalry and applies it beyond music. Finally, I will examine some examples of theologians and others, including Jaci Maraschin, and Camille Paglia, applying the principles to liturgy. To answer, in part, concerns about liturgical colonization, I will highlight parallels in Confucian thought to point towards more effective cross-cultural dialogue and inculturation. Finally, I will argue that Ratzinger's use of these terms is correct, leads to an anthropology that rejects a violent relationship between emotion and reason, and opens the way for deeper participation in the sacramental mysteries. During his discussion of liturgical music in The Spirit of the Liturgy, Ratzinger argues for a "logikē latreia,"1 that is, worship [End Page 58] that is ordered by the Logos; literally, logos means "word," but in classical philosophy it refers to rationality, intelligibility, and mind. Theologically, the term invokes Christ as the Logos, the Incarnate Word, the word spoken by God in the very creation of the world, and the basis of all intelligibility and order. For Ratzinger, one of the ways to convey how liturgical music reflects the Logos is through the use of certain Platonic-Aristotelian terms, namely, Apollonian and Marsyan. He clarifies that the term Dionysian may be substituted for Marsyan, as this has been more common historically. Ratzinger argues that the Dionysian principle represents man's lower, primal instincts—a sort of unbridled passion, divorced from reason. On the other hand, the music of Apollo better reflects rationality and the elevation of the mind to truth, since Apollo was the god of reason. To Ratzinger, this represents an historical choice of humankind between two forms of music, and more broadly, two approaches to the emotions and reason.2 Plato's original position on this matter flows...
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