Hymnals Still Have a Place in Modern Churches

[KenH]

“Theology will suffer as hymnals fade off the scene, as the rich repository of theological teaching contained in the old hymns will be lost. The language in some hymns may be an obstacle for some, but the lyrics in those old hymns teach the faith far better than most of the praise choruses that dominate contemporary services. The old hymns were carefully crafted with theology at the forefront—the hymns presented doctrine; they told the saving story of sin and grace.”

https://www.realclearreligion.org/a...l_have_a_place_in_modern_churches_110209.html

 

[StefanM]

I think the damage has already been done, if the hymns are the backstop for theological atrophy.

One thing about today's praise and worship music is that it is very heavily God-focused. The lyrics aren't exercises in theological exposition, but they are lyrics that orient the singer toward God--like musical prayer.

Many of the older hymns do a much better job of telling stories or providing more detailed theology, but it's not the same experience to sing about God as it is to sing to God.

I'm not saying it should be all praise and worship from today's radio. I do think there probably should be a balance, and I like when worship leaders incorporate time-tested hymn lyrics into their songs. But we won't be able to go back to the hymnal, IMO.

 

[Reformed1689]

I think the damage has already been done, if the hymns are the backstop for theological atrophy.

One thing about today's praise and worship music is that it is very heavily God-focused. The lyrics aren't exercises in theological exposition, but they are lyrics that orient the singer toward God--like musical prayer.

Many of the older hymns do a much better job of telling stories or providing more detailed theology, but it's not the same experience to sing about God as it is to sing to God.

I'm not saying it should be all praise and worship from today's radio. I do think there probably should be a balance, and I like when worship leaders incorporate time-tested hymn lyrics into their songs. But we won't be able to go back to the hymnal, IMO.

The hymns point to God as much, if not more, than the mind-numbing songs of today.

 

[Reynolds]

“Theology will suffer as hymnals fade off the scene, as the rich repository of theological teaching contained in the old hymns will be lost. The language in some hymns may be an obstacle for some, but the lyrics in those old hymns teach the faith far better than most of the praise choruses that dominate contemporary services. The old hymns were carefully crafted with theology at the forefront—the hymns presented doctrine; they told the saving story of sin and grace.”

https://www.realclearreligion.org/a...l_have_a_place_in_modern_churches_110209.html

I hate to admit I agree with you on something.

 

[Shoostie]

The centuries of Christianity has produced a great number of awesome hymns. My church use stock the pews with the Psalms tweaked for singing, which was also awesome. But, now, churches sing "praise and worship" garbage produced by effeminate and secular-minded writers, especially produced by the Pentecostals at Hillsong church.

 

[Alcott]

Hymnals Still Have a Place in Modern Churches

True. My church has gotten rid of the hymnals, but not the hymn racks.

 

[KenH]

I hate to admit I agree with you on something.

You shouldn’t assume you are agreeing with me. Yes, I like hymnals. I also like some contemporary Christian songs by artists such as Hillsong, Lauren Daigle, Chris Tomlin, et al.

 

[Reynolds]

You shouldn’t assume you are agreeing with me. Yes, I like hymnals. I also like some contemporary Christian songs by artists such as Hillsong, Lauren Daigle, Chris Tomlin, et al.

I like contemporary. I think it should compliment, not replace, traditional.

 

[Reformed1689]

Lauren Daigle

Really? You can't stand Trump but you approve of Daigle who approves of LGBT? Not to mention her songs often are filled with theological inaccuracies? And don't even get me started on Hillsong.

 

[Reformed1689]

I like contemporary. I think it should compliment, not replace, traditional.

I used to like contemporary. But 90% of contemporary today is just straight trash.

 

[Reynolds]

I used to like contemporary. But 90% of contemporary today is just straight trash.

90 percent is. That still leaves plenty of good stuff.

 

[KenH]

you approve of Daigle

As I previously wrote, I like some of her songs. Personally, I can like a song performed by an artist without getting into personal details about the artist. I personally don’t like to get into details about artists, of any genre. We are all fallen human beings and we all disappoint in various ways. Salvation is by grace, not merit. If it were by merit, as Mark Twain famously said, we would be kept out of Heaven and our dogs would go in.

 

[Reformed1689]

As I previously wrote, I like some of her songs. Personally, I can like a song performed by an artist without getting into personal details about the artist. I personally don’t like to get into details about artists, of any genre. We are all fallen human beings and we all disappoint in various ways. Salvation is by grace, not merit. If it were by merit, as Mark Twain famously said, we would be kept out of Heaven and our dogs would go in.

Double standard. You ignore personal life of artists, but you can't ignore the personal life of a President?

 

[KenH]

Double standard. You ignore personal life of artists, but you can't ignore the personal life of a President?

An artist doesn’t have his finger on the nuclear button with the ability to turn the earth into a smoldering cinder.

 

[Reformed1689]

An artist doesn’t have his finger on the nuclear button with the ability to turn the earth into a smoldering cinder.

They have worse, they have the captive ear of their fans and the ability to shut the gates of heaven and lead the path to the gates of hell with poor theology and unbiblical views.

 

[KenH]

They have worse, they have the captive ear of their fans and the ability to shut the gates of heaven and lead the path to the gates of hell with poor theology and unbiblical views.

Get this straight, fella - I don’t give two flicks of a horse’s tail, what you think. To quote the Chief of Staff to your hero: “Get over it.”

 

[StefanM]

They have worse, they have the captive ear of their fans and the ability to shut the gates of heaven and lead the path to the gates of hell with poor theology and unbiblical views.

I'm not advocating for poor theology in music, but do the artists really have that sort of power?

 

[Reformed1689]

Get this straight, fella - I don’t give two flicks of a horse’s tail, what you think. To quote the Chief of Staff to your hero: “Get over it.”

Yeah, you clearly want to continue in your double standards.

 

[Reformed1689]

I'm not advocating for poor theology in music, but do the artists really have that sort of power?

Of course they do.

 

[KenH]

Yeah, you clearly want to continue in your double standards.

Get over it.