Comments on: Hymns, Theology and Spirituality

By: Ursula Bennett

Ursula Bennett — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:14:08 +0000

In the end, I believe that all anointed music will stand the test of time and there are songs written today that still might be sung in 100 years if the holy Spirit has inpsired them.
Ian White is another good modern one, he sings the psalms in quite various contemporary styles.
Many blessings
Ursula Bennett

By: wayne pelling

wayne pelling — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:12:01 +0000

I grew up in the Churches of Christ and every Sunday night before the 7pm service there was a 10-15 minute Song Service. The hymns regularly sung were “THERE IS A FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD and also AND CAN IT BE. My father, who had a fine tenor voice regularly lead the Song Service and whenever I hear those hymns I immediately recall his singing them.
I also enjoy the 2nd Chapter of Acts, the Paul Coleman Trio and who can forget the late great Larry Norman’s WHY SHOULD THE DEVIL HAVE ALL THE GOOD MUSIC??
Wayne Pelling

By: Grant Wedale

Grant Wedale — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:21:51 +0000

Steve Bricker: “…thin, popular contemporary offerings.” I agree. For the “oldies” & anyone else seeking meat in music over milk, the Hymnmakers CD series seems to be the last bastion of tuneful theology in music.

The Salvoes used to theologise pub dittys….now it seems worldly music styles help to dumb-down Christian theology.

Grant Wedale

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:54:42 +0000

Thanks Iz

I will have to check some of these out, time permitting.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Iz Ruzic

Iz Ruzic — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:33:57 +0000

Graham Kendrick – ‘Meekness and Majesty’, etc.
Iz Ruzic

By: Iz Ruzic

Iz Ruzic — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:20:40 +0000

and Stewart Townend -’How deep the Fathers Love’
Iz Ruzic

By: Iz Ruzic

Iz Ruzic — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:21:05 +0000

Have a listen to some of the songs by Keith and Krysten Getty – modern hymn writers who write songs with substance.
It’s not all bad!
Iz Ruzic

By: Iz Ruzic

Iz Ruzic — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:58:38 +0000

It’s true that there are many modern worship songs that are trite, and just plain boring, but lets not forget that the hymns from yesteryear which we find wonderful and inspiring are probably only a small selection of hymns that were written. There is also a whole truckload of uninspiring dirges. I know because I have sung a number of them and have gone to sleep singing them! You just have to look at some of the titles: ‘tell mother I’ll be there’, ‘give me that old time religion’, or what about that old sentimental favourite -’the old rugged cross’-nice tune, but just sentimental nonsense. And what about some of the tunes? certainly not all are equally inspiring. Yes, I like old hymns too, but I’m selective. I also like some modern worship songs, but again, I’m also selective. I do think though, that as far as artistry goes, you just can’t beat the poetry of some of the old hymns. I am not so sure about the advice of Tozer. I think it may not be too wise to immerse oneself in mystics as there is a lot of experience and not much theology. Also, the puritans are a hard read. I don’t think I would recommend any new christian reading the puritans. Even as a mature believer, I have found their work at times quite difficult to get into. There is certainly alot of good there, but for the modern christian, not easy stuff! Don’t forget, they wrote in a time when people were hung strung and quartered, burnt at the stake, etc. for the whiff of heresy.
Iz Ruzic

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:24:17 +0000

I am with you David and Malcolm.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Malcolm Lithgow

Malcolm Lithgow — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:20:14 +0000

Bill,

I’ve become so concerned about the lack of theological content in modern worship (and in our church in particular), and my daughter’s suffering from that lack, that I’ve just started the practice of singing along with hymns on CD (well, on computer now) in our devotion. I find I simply can’t worship when my mind isn’t engaged along with my voice and emotions.

My daughter loves Michael Card’s Hymns, and we also enjoy the wonderful hymns on the 2nd Chapter of Acts CDs, Wow Hymns, Jars of Clay’s Redemption Songs, all sorts of Christmas albums (particularly Rebecca St James’s), and, of course, any of Sons of Korah’s fantastic albums of the Psalms set to music.

Given how good many of these arrangements are, there’s really no reason for churches to be avoiding hymns, I believe.

Malcolm Lithgow