Comments on: Consistency in Hymn Selection

By: clearly

clearly — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:21:18 +0000

Melinda, good to hear from you! Please greet Jason for me…we still remember a great time in Steamboat!

BTW, Emiley and I have been doing a lot of networking and evangelism in area coffee shops:)

By: Melinda Clark

Melinda Clark — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:39:21 +0000

I agree with not singing patriotic songs as the Body of Christ, gathered to worship Him. We’ve never thought that fit. We also avoid “Coming Again” (can’t you just hear the “oom-pa-pah” on the chorus?), “Like a River Glorious” (can’t agree with the Keswick theology it reflects), the original version of “So Send I You” (can’t stand singing such a glum view of a life invested in serving Christ, not to mention that the author repented of her original words and rewrote the song), “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” (don’t agree with the amillennial theology), most of the songs that dwell on sunshine or bells ringing in my heart (haven’t found either one in Scripture yet), and “Hold the Fort” (the picture of believers cowering behind the walls waiting for deliverance doesn’t match the picture in Matthew 16 of believers storming the gates of hell; so if we do sing this song, Jason changes the chorus to “Storm the gates, for I am coming”). That’s just the beginning; it’s amazing how many poorly written, theologically anemic songs fill our traditional hymnody. I’m glad you’re working through the process of choosing rich songs for your church.

By: Jeremy Horneck

Jeremy Horneck — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:19:10 +0000

You’re probably going to disagree with me on this, but I could do with removing all the patriotic songs from Christian hymnody.

By: clearly

clearly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:08:29 +0000

Josh, I had no clue the song mentioned Mary’s prayers — wow. Thanks for this piece of research:)

By: Joel B.

Joel B. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:46:38 +0000

Blast from the past…Lol…It isn’t thaaaat long ago In any event yes you do need to come out and visit. But its great to hear things are going so well for you and yours and His!

By: Josh Akerberg

Josh Akerberg — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:23:55 +0000

Dave,
While I’ve never really thought much about “The Churches One Foundation” one song that I do not like is “Faith of our Fathers” There are many refrences in the song to RCC theology, including what WAS the final stanza of the hymn.

“Faith of our fathers, Mary’s prayers
Shall win our country back to Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
England shall then indeed be free.”

The entirety of the song reflects little on the truths of God and who He is. Rather this historic faith that we lean on. The song mentions nothing of the saving power of Jesus, which, considering point of the song (strong faith) I believe is a pretty important omittance.

By: clearly

clearly — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:05:58 +0000

Joel B,

Hey man — you’re a blast-from-the-past. Reminds me I need to get out to Lifepoint, I miss everyone and am excited about what God is doing there!

I too love that song!

By: Joel B.

Joel B. — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:58:03 +0000

I’m a dispensational mushy Calvinist or as I dreadfully say it (believe like a Calvinist, live like an Arminian), in any event, there are a few hymns I do not care for, such as “In the Garden.” But many even ones that are a little weak on theology I love…and some just need a verse not song to correct it’s problem. I do think some hymns are way better than others. A favorite being the 2nd verse of There is a fountain!