Where did all the old hymns go?

 

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:

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see”.

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 III