Where did all the old hymns go?
I originally published this article in the old Examiner.com back in 2018. I wrote for them as a Christianity Reporter. I hope you enjoy.
As a baby boomer, old sixties
rocker and bona fide member of the Jesus Freak movement, this Christian pastor/writer
has always admired and enjoyed the contemporary Christian music movement and
utilization of “praise music” within Christian worship services.
Recently however, while with
other Christian friends (one being a fellow pastor and counselor) we all began
singing the “old hymns” and what fun,
memories and inspiration it brought.
These great hymns of faith by Martin Luther,
Fanny J. Crosby, Charles Wesley, St. Francis of Assisi, Stuart Hamblin, Stuart
K. Hine, B.B. McKinney, Joseph Scriven, Isaac Watts and of course, John Newton
cross not only decades, denominations but centuries, cultures and countries. There
is simply nothing like them or which can be compared to them.
You might not be familiar with
the authors but you probably know the hymns they wrote by their titles: “A Mighty
Fortress is our God”, ”Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me”, “Blessed Assurance Jesus is
Mine”, “How Great Thou Art”, “It is No Secret What God Can Do”, “Glory to His
Name”, “Blessed Redeemer, Jesus is Mine” “Just as I Am”, “All Creatures Great
and Small” and most everyone’s favorite, “Amazing Grace”.
Recently while visiting a local
church which this writer has attended often and enjoys the worship, preaching
and music, it suddenly struck me that not only does this church but most
churches no longer sing the old hymns and even if they do, it is some weird,
far out, almost unintelligible version which just doesn’t seem quiet as
worshipful.
Now don’t get me wrong, the Bible
says to sing a “new
song” which is wonderful and brings allot of joy and the contemporary
praise worship brings inspiration to many but there just doesn’t seem to be
that spiritual impact of humility and holiness which the old hymns bring.
Even a sampling of Christian
television brings nearly the same results of no old or traditional hymns.
So the question for this writer
is, “Where have all the old hymns gone?” It almost seems as though the
proverbial “baby has been thrown out with the bath water”.
The answer could be as simple as
there is a new generation seeking a new form of worship and praise to God but
the reason could be more extensive.
The Bible has far more to say
about the worship of God than the praise to God. Some people with the best of
intentions get the two confused and even use the terms interchangeably.
Worship is “reverent honor and homage paid to God” while Praise is “the act of expressing approval or admiration”
It seems the reverence aspect has
almost been forgotten and left out.
Yes, it is true that there are at
least two Old Testament books dedicated to “praising God”: the book of Psalms
and to a limited extent Proverbs but that is only two out of sixty-six Biblical
books and both of these books also have a lot to say about the emphasis of worship
and not just praise.
Not long ago, this writer even
visited a main line denomination church and to my surprise, even they were
singing only praise songs; they didn’t even have hymnals in the pew hymn racks
any longer. It amazes me that the term “hymn” or “hymnal” isn’t even used any
longer.
Today, the term used with regard
to music in the worship service seems to always be “praise songs”.
It seems that sometimes these
“praise songs” sound like anything but praise.
Ten years ago as “Praise Worship”
was sweeping the globe in our churches, the songs were milder, mellower and
sweeter with the likes of Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patti, Andre Crouch and Dino
but as time moved forward it seems the music has taken a twist to simple noise
and repetition with little actual music. It is as if you have heard one praise
song, you have almost heard them all.
A recent visit to a local
contemporary church had me wondering what I had just witnessed as praise music.
The congregation didn’t even seem to participate and at times appeared almost
stunned by the praise band’s performance and the praise leader’s direction.
This is not a promotion to end
praise worship or praise singing, in fact to the contrary. Praise worship on
occasion can be a wonderful experience.
For the sake of our children and
generations to come however, it might be a good idea to reinvigorate the
worship experience with some of the old hymns which teach many of the great
truths of God’s word while at the same time demonstrating through music love,
honor and respect as well as some basic theological and doctrinal principles
which simply aren’t found in today’s praise songs.
After hundreds of years, there have
yet to be any Christian music written which can even come close to the words of
John Newton:
As for the praise songs of today,
only time will tell if any of these songs will last the test of time.
As yet (even though this
pastor/writer loves many of the praise songs), none of the praise songs of
today contain any doctrinal or theological truth, short changing our young and
possibly preventing a positive future for the church.
Jesus said, “Worship
God by serving Him”, in fact Jesus never even talked about praising God.
This is not to say Jesus would have opposed praise but rather he was more
concerned with those of us as believers sharing the gospel with others.
As you attend church this Sunday remember to
not only praise the Lord but worship Him also.
One more thing, as a musician
myself, praise bands might need to remember that loud doesn’t mean you’re good;
in fact, good musicians sound just as good with reduced volume.
© 2018 Dr. Lee W. Outlaw
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