Songs and hymns with good theology

[Crabtownboy]

What songs and hymns do you believe contain good theology.

To get the discussion started, what do you think of the theology in "The Wedding Song?" There are several quotes from scripture in this song that is sung at many weddings.

 

[Jon-Marc]

All of the old hymns that have been around a while, before we got all these man-made religions with messed-up theology.

 

[Berean]

There is a Fountain
When I survey the Wonderous Cross
What a friend we have in Jesus
& many many more

 

[jaigner]

All of the old hymns that have been around a while, before we got all these man-made religions with messed-up theology.

Actually, there are a number of older texts that have theological error or contain shallow theology.

Fortunately, most of them have been dropped from the common repertoire because of this, but some still exist, more the shallow kind than the erroneous kind.

"In the Garden" is the first one I can think of. People get all up in arms because they think that song is "pretty" or something, but it affirms almost nothing distinctive about Christianity.

Most of the ones that would qualify are from the gospel hymn vein.

On the other hand, hymns with good theology:

There Is a Fountain
The God of Abraham Praise
And Can It Be
Holy, Holy, Holy
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
O Worship the King
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

and there are many more

 

[Humblesmith]

Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners, reconciled.

I try to use this one to teach reconciliation every Christmas.

 

[Berean]

Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners, reconciled.

I try to use this one to teach reconciliation every Christmas.

Where in the scripture does it mention angels singing other then where they will not sing along with the saints in the song of redemption

 

[annsni]

All of the old hymns that have been around a while, before we got all these man-made religions with messed-up theology.

I certainly wouldn't say that all of the old hymns are theologically sound and I certainly wouldn't say that there were no man-made religions with messed up theology while they were being written.

 

[jaigner]

Where in the scripture does it mention angels singing other then where they will not sing along with the saints in the song of redemption

This is pretty nitpicky. This hymn has beautiful theology. Check out verse 2.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time, behold him come,
Offspring of the virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see,
Hail th'incarnate deity.
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

 

[Berean]

This is pretty nitpicky. This hymn has beautiful theology. Check out verse 2.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time, behold him come,
Offspring of the virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see,
Hail th'incarnate deity.
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Merely asked if there was scripture to substanuate angels singing. I love Victory in Jesus about the angels singing the old redemptation story.

 

[RAdam]

Merely asked if there was scripture to substanuate angels singing. I love Victory in Jesus about the angels singing the old redemptation story.

Actually it says:

"I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory"

Not that the angels are singing the old redemption story, but that he has heard about the angels singing, and he has heard about the old redemption story.

 

[Jerome]

This hymn has beautiful theology. Check out verse 2.

And how about verse 3:thumbs:

Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace !
Hail the Sun of Righteousness !
Light and Life to All he brings,
Ris'n with Healing in his Wings. . .

 

[saturneptune]

I think "When I Survey the Wonderous Cross" has some of the most beautiful lyrics that I know of. It forces one to take a long look at the cross, the Lord upon it, and ponder what He did for us.

 

[Jon-Marc]

Actually, there are a number of older texts that have theological error or contain shallow theology.

Yes, I thought of two after I replied that has words contrary to what the Bible says. Well, most of the old hymns are good then. With people of different religions writing songs these days, you have to be really careful. I sang some songs for years before realizing (or being told) that some of the words were incorrect.

My favorite is and always will be "How Great Thou Art." I have sung that many times over the decades as a solo. My favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night."

 

[PastorGreg]

I have pointed out to our church a lot of the sloppy theology in some of the "good old hymns." Don't think any of the authors were heretics, probably just mroe concerned with meter and rhyme than with theological accuracy. Obviously, this is a huge mistake. For example, the pantheism of "Immortal, Invisible" (in all life thou livest). Of course, this trend does not come close to the blatant shallowness of most modern "Christian" music. There are, however, also some great theological songs being written now like, "In Christ Alone," and "How Deep the Father's Love."

Other errors, besides the obvious in almost all Christmas carols, are things like "Glorify Thy Name" in which the Holy Spirit is encouraged to glorify Himself, which we're told in Scripture He will not do.

 

[jaigner]

I have pointed out to our church a lot of the sloppy theology in some of the "good old hymns." Don't think any of the authors were heretics, probably just mroe concerned with meter and rhyme than with theological accuracy. Obviously, this is a huge mistake. For example, the pantheism of "Immortal, Invisible" (in all life thou livest). Of course, this trend does not come close to the blatant shallowness of most modern "Christian" music. There are, however, also some great theological songs being written now like, "In Christ Alone," and "How Deep the Father's Love."

Other errors, besides the obvious in almost all Christmas carols, are things like "Glorify Thy Name" in which the Holy Spirit is encouraged to glorify Himself, which we're told in Scripture He will not do.

It seems to me like a bit of a stretch to suggest that line of "Immortal, Invisible" is panthiest. There is a definite truth to that line, one that certainly does not mean, "all things are god."

Plus, talking about good theology, ponder the line, "Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee."

 

[PastorGreg]

It seems to me like a bit of a stretch to suggest that line of "Immortal, Invisible" is panthiest. There is a definite truth to that line, one that certainly does not mean, "all things are god."

Plus, talking about good theology, ponder the line, "Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee."

It's not a stretch at all. That line says that God lives in every raccoon, blade of grass, crab, squid, cat, squash, etc. That's pantheism or at least animism.

 

[jaigner]

It's not a stretch at all. That line says that God lives in every raccoon, blade of grass, crab, squid, cat, squash, etc. That's pantheism or at least animism.

Since the thrust of the hymn is about the omnipotence and omniscience of God, I would think it is talking more about God's omnipresence and being present in a creation that reflects God as Creator. And it's in comparison to the rest of the stanza, "We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree / And wither and perish - but naught changeth Thee."

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

Since the thrust of the hymn is about the omnipotence and omniscience of God, I would think it is talking more about God's omnipresence and being present in a creation that reflects God as Creator. And it's in comparison to the rest of the stanza, "We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree / And wither and perish - but naught changeth Thee."

Run a search for Laura Story's new song, also called "Immortal, Invisible." Not much ini common with the hymn, but the words are powerfully strong.

 

[Pastor Larry]

For example, the pantheism of "Immortal, Invisible" (in all life thou livest).

What??? Read the verse. The verse is talking about the fact that God is the giver of life, and all life is coming from God. It's not talking about pantheism in any sense.

 

[percho]

One of my favorites is The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Verse 5. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

Are these Christmas or Easter lilies?