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Hello everyone!
I am a prolific hymnal collector, and I was just wondering if you think Hymns will make a comeback in most churches? Many I have been favor more modern CCM and choruses. I am concerned as I am sure many of you are about this, and want to discuss this with you all.
Thanks!
Comments
Re: Will Hymns make a comeback
I am a member of a Charismatic Christian congregation (specifically, a Calvary Chapel) that is, in fact, more literate than most in Christian hymnology. As an avid hymnbook collector myself, this makes me happy. Unfortunately, with the ascension of a new worship leader, the hymns have been left in the dust in recent weeks, especially considering the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. I am a worship leader in my young adult division, as I am literate in music, play guitar, and cab sing. I have wanted to make the hymns of old more accessible to this new generation, while still respecting the new kind of worship that is indubitably coming our way.
As for the topic at hand, I tend to think of it this way: in Isaac Watts' time, "hymns" as we know them today were frowned upon for the same reason modern hymn-lovers (including myself) view CCM. Before that, it was strictly musical renderings of the psalms, with no alterations. Now, we come to a new "era of hymnology", so to speak, with songs that reflect not only the time period from which they arise, but also the people by whom they are written and sung. I don't disagree: CCM is in many ways repetitive and often difficult to sing. However, there are some songs that I could not imagine my walk with Jesus being as it is without them, same as a number of "hymns" have. In this way, I don't think hymns in the sense of "four part harmonious choir or congregation singing with or without a piano or organ" will make a comeback, but I know that their rich language, memorable melodies, and simplicity will always appeal to future generations.
"As for the topic at hand, I
"As for the topic at hand, I tend to think of it this way: in Isaac Watts' time, "hymns" as we know them today were frowned upon for the same reason modern hymn-lovers (including myself) view CCM. Before that, it was strictly musical renderings of the psalms, with no alterations."
That is simply not true, especially as part of "the big picture."
You are talking very narrowly about Great Britain, which had been conquered by Calvinism as expressed in English Puritanism by Watts's time (the Thirty-Nine Articles are thoroughly Calvinist). But that is a very narrow view, even though it does impinge specifically on the US and other Anglophone countries.
But it ignores the far larger Lutheran tradition that comprises all of Germany, Scandinavia. Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, and parts of Poland, Moravia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and even Russia and the Ukraine. That's many millions of people who have never even heard of Isaac Watts.
ALL Lutheran churches are continuing to publish traditional hymnals, and congregational singing--a Lutheran tradition from the beginning--is in NO danger whatsoever, even though there are congregations calling themselves "Lutheran" but who have abandoned the Book of Concord in violation of ordination vows, baptismal vows, and Confirmation vows. So they call themselves Lutheran but are not. In such congregations they have abandoned even the Mass and Holy Absolution (private confession), so there is no realistic way that they can be considered Lutheran.
Those congregations have, characteristically, adopted what we call "Jesus is my Boyfriend" songs, so called because if you can substitute "boyfriend" for "Jesus" in the almost unbelievably pedestrian lyrics and find that the meaning of the text does not change, then you are in real trouble. And most such "praise and worship" songs these days are in that category.
Congregational singing and traditional hymns are being abandoned only by heterodox congregations. It's one of their defining characteristics.
And Christianity is far larger than the English-speaking world. Always has been.
Non-Calvinist hymns writers
Hello MrDarcy,
Based on your informed reply regarding some of the different lines of hymns/hymnals in Europe, I think you may be able to answer a question that I have. I am specifically interested in knowing about some of the better known hymn writers from the 1800s and early 1900s who were non-Calvinists. If you are familiar with some, I would appreciate if you could share their names with me. I have looked into it a little bit and think that perhaps Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley were not Calvinist. Thank you in advance.
Non-Calvinist Hymnals
Perhaps instead of the comment I recently posted, I should have instead asked if you could tell me the names of Non-Calvinist hymns books from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s? I am looking to get some old hymn books so I can enjoy reading and learning more old hymns, but prefer that they not be from the Calvinist tradition. Thank you!
Non-Calvinist Hymnals
Hi! It is awesome that you want to learn and read more old hymns, I love that so much! Might I suggest the Lutheran Hymnal, which was written in 1941? It is jam-packed with beautiful hymn texts that are worth checking out. They are also fairly common. :-)
Lutheran hymnal
Thank you for the reply and suggestion. It is interesting that different wonderful hymns have been preserved in different denominational traditions. I am going through a Church of God hymnal from the 1950s and have found some wonderful hymns that are not in any of my other hymnals. God bless!
Non-Calvinist hymnals
A bit late to the party, but if you're still looking for old non-Calvinist hymnals, any hymnal that came out of the Restoration Movement churches (Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ) would fit the bill. Churches of Christ are especially anti-Calvinist. Some of our newer hymnals aren't indexed yet, but Great Songs of the Church and Sacred Selections are a good place to start.
Looking to learn more about an old hymn book
Hello,
I am new to this website. In our post you mentioned that you are an avid hymnbook collector. I have an old pocket hymnal that I am looking to learn more about, if you have an suggestions for how to get information. The hymn book belonged to my adopted grandfather's mother, so it would have most likely been from the late 1800s, say 1860-1890, but that is just a guess. It measures about 3.5"x2.5"x2" thick. Most of the hymns are by Watts, Wesley, and Doddridge, with some by Robinson, Newton, Beddome, etc. The print is vey smal, but I am able to read it. It appears well used and likely recovered as there is no name on the front. The first couple pages may be missing. The first hymn is #3 "The Trinity" by Wesley. Would you know anything about this hymn book and whether they ever printed a larger edition. Thank you!
We need congregational singing!
In the Catholic tradition, congregational singing is a MUST as we believe that the Holy Mass is worship using all bodily senses. "Make your body a living sacrifice." Romans 12:1 That's the reason why our Sunday Mass has incense, an addition to candles and bells during weekday Masses. And so singing is staple. Everyone MUST sing. Everyone MUST participate as the Holy Mass is a sacrifice of both Jesus Himself, in the person of the presiding priest, and of the entire congregation. We are there to worship the Father through the Sacrifice of Jesus in the Holy Spirit. And so sacred music must be there. Unfortunately, like you observed, most choir directors prefer the mainstream gospel music which is difficult to sing with. I believe that this is simply due to lack of catechesis, which the Office of the Sacred Music at the archdiocesan level must address.
It's cultural.
I love the question and I love both preceding responses. I think it’s a cultural drama, as suggested by the Isaac Watts example. I love the hymns because I grew up with them and they are vital to my spiritual experience. But in a general way, as never before, the fading generation has failed to transmit its values. They lacked authenticity and the new generation has rejected their customs in every forum, including Christian music. The new Christian culture has invited the prominence of performance, entertainment, worldly influence and frivolity. Some of the CCM music is much better than other CCM music, but it is so difficult for older worshippers that they refuse to participate. If they attempt it, they are embarrassed and become satisfied to encourage their grandchildren. I haven’t seen a single example of a church defending the beloved hymns. Once standardized and put into notation, some of the CCM songs are beautiful and the repetition is controlled, but they still are not suitable for broad congregational participation. They are complex and make excellent material for a praise team or choir (what choir!). When God’s people are brought to their knees by persecution or some other difficulty there will be a revival of singable hymns with doctrinal depth and devotional validity. For now, popularity, technology, performance and entertainment value will carry the day in most churches.