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George Frideric Handel- a Famous World Christian

On April 13, 1742 Handel's Messiah was performed for the first time. It happened in Dublin. This oratorio was criticized as blasphemous because it treated the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as theater. When it was performed at Westminster Abbey, however, the same work was called sacrilege because it was a theatrical work performed in a church. Sometimes you can't win. Handel eventually arranged to perform the Messiah as a fund-raiser for the London Foundling Hospital. This was well received and it became an annual event. The lyrics of the Messiah are lifted straight from the King James Bible. 

Handel was born in Germany in 1685. In 1727, he became a naturalized British citizen. That same year he accepted a commission to compose a coronation anthem for King George II. Again Handel took inspiration from the Bible - this time from the coronation of Solomon. Nathan the prophet and Zadok the high priest officiated at Solomon's coronation. Hence Handel called his anthem Zadok the Priest. Listen to it here. This anthem has been played for every British coronation since 1727. 

Handel died in London on April 14, 1759. He was 74 years old. 

Who has not heard or sung the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah? 

To understand the references in the lyrics that Handel wrote in both of these works requires biblical literacy. To understand Handel and his work takes a basic introduction to the tenets and history of Christianity. To understand much of Western art, literature, music and history - our humanities- takes a basic education about the Christian religion. 

This is why the Kentucky Faith & Public History Education Project exists - to provide educational resources for K-12 public school students about the Christian religion and its history particularly in Kentucky. All of our resources are carefully produced according to the Kentucky State Social Studies curriculum standards and inquiry process. All that we provide is intentionally prepared using objective, secular, non-devotional language. We are diligent to use primary documents and historic images and artifacts that allow students to think about and draw their own conclusions.

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