THE OLD HYMNS

This may ruffle feathers, which is not the intent. 

I recently read a post on a social media platform that said, “As hymnals fade, theology also suffers. The rich repository of religious wisdom contained in hymns will be lost. The old-fashioned language of hymns may strike people as unusual, but their text teaches the Christian faith far better than most of the praise choruses that dominate contemporary services. Old hymns were crafted carefully with theology at the forefront. The old hymn presents parts of doctrine clearly and beautifully conveys the gospel story of redemption.” This sentiment is oft repeated and circulated across multiple social media platforms. 

Let, me begin by stating, “I love the old hymns,” which is to say, many of the hymns in the printed hymnal which the Baptist use. In fact, my favorite Hymn is also my favorite song, "It is Well."  These classics reinforce the teaching of Scripture and speak to our hearts.

I love so many of the old hymns. By not singing the Old Hymns of Sunday morning are we losing religious wisdom? Or is it the lack of Biblical preaching, accountability, Bible reading, real discipleship, scripture memorization in the modern Christian or modern church which is the cause! Is it that we have become increasingly a traditionalist church and less and less Christian as a church? Traditionalism disguised as Christianity is idolatry, isn't it?

I love the old hymns but do there really teach doctrine and the Christian faith or do they simply affirm what scripture says? Is it ok to believe they do both? A person with no scriptural exposure and real discipleship will find no affirmation in neither the old nor the new hymns and songs. I hear the argument for the old hymns regularly and have found that when pressed most who prefer the old do not enjoy the old hymns for the doctrine but for the memory tied to something or someone in the past, we long “for the good old days” and will cling to it as a “reminder of Granddad’s Church.” It is more sentimental than doctrinal.

I love the old hymns and agree that they often beautifully present the gospel story. And when you read the stories behind them you see that these hymns sprung up as a response to a genuine understanding of salvation. This salvation which is based on scripture and most often reflected amazing life changing moments. Those writers were incredibly careful to be clear, and they shared a clear understanding of those life changing moments. The young person who does not read scripture or is not being discipled will not find a clear understanding of doctrine in the old hymns alone, the same is true of the older person who does not read scripture and is not being discipled. They too, will not see doctrine in the new if they are not being discipled. This is not because the old hymns or the new hymns do or do not contain truth or solid doctrines, but because the reader (hearer) does not recognize truth or doctrine. Our faith comes by hearing, but that hearing is from the word of God, not a simple melodic paraphrase of it or the poetic expression of one’s salvation experience. I am sure that there have been individuals saved while listening to a hymn, but the Gospel as preached, shared, taught from the Word of God is the typical cause. In fact, I would guess that if someone has been saved while listening to a Hymn, it is also, because someone used God's Word to lead them before hand or used God’s Word to clarify the salvation. 

I love the old hymns. To say that all “new” or “contemporary” praise, worship, hymns are substandard is really missing the mark. “All Creatures of Our God and King” the classic hymn was written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225 as a poem. “Amazing Grace” was written in 1779 by John Newton. How many other “hymns” where written since or in the time between them? No doubt there were some hymns written that were less than theologically accurate. What happened to the songs written that were not theologically sound? In this same time, there have also been many amazing songs written. The cream always rises to the top. Horatio Spafford wrote, “It is Well” (1873, a contemporary hymn) during the most heartbreaking time in His life. And it carried, the deep emotion of the moment, but also carries a high view of God. Horatio Spafford wrote in a modern style (for the time) and the arrangement was a contemporary tune, which reflected the times. This view, these words, this tune came from a deep understanding of the attributes of God, based on God’s Word during the most painful time for the writer. 

I love the old hymns, but I love scripture more! What is our refusal to teach a new generation sound doctrine really saying? Far too many Christians and Churches are not willing to make a Doctrinal stand or defend truth. We allow our sensibilities to compromise the gospel to save the feelings and preferences of individuals. We have convinced ourselves that all sharing of the truth must be "nice". We are selling this nice approach as the only way to reach the world. After all, we cannot force our view on anyone! So, to be seen as nice we fail to stand up for truth to avoid conflict with the lost. Are we telling a new generation of believers that they cannot have the same relationship with God as those writers of the old hymns? Can a new generation have a relationship that can be expressed in song? Can they have a relationship based on Biblical Truth? Are we telling the next John Newton that he cannot write a truly God honoring, doctrinally sound praise to the Lord, one which reflects truth as it has impacted their life? Can they not take the challenges of life head on like Horatio Spafford did, and express the deepest emotions in song? Did God stop moving in his people to write hymns after 1225? 1779? or 1873? If we are not raising up a new Horatio Spafford or John Newton that is on us! If we are not standing up for scriptural inerrancy and absolute truth, we are failing. 

I love the old hymns, they move me, speak to me, and make me think, rejoice, and praise. However, they do so, not because of the style or tune. They impact me not because they remind me of my grandmother, even when some do, but because they reflect a truth about God that I recognize from scripture. 

We know that one hymns can reflect the truth of scripture better than another. Even in a church hymnal, one song may be more enjoyable than another. And if one song is a scripturally sound, but less appealing that is a preference. And having a preference is fine but we should call it just that. It is fine to enjoy a hymn because it reminds you of Grandma, or the days of old, but at that point it is not a hymn, it is a song that you prefer. A hymn is a religious song or poem of praise to God. Sadly, we have relegated hymns in our hymnals to being songs of remembrance for our families, our heritage, or a culture.

The contemporary church does not need to bring the old hymns back, nor does it need to avoid them. It also does not need to over emphasis the new and avoid the old. However, the contemporary church does need to bring Scripture back. Where scripture leads to truth, when truth is found, a heart may rejoice. The Church needs to make Scripture the benchmark, guide, reference, and standard. The church must hold those who Pastor, teach, and lead to the standard of scripture, not to the personal preference of an individual or group. If the church would return to scripture (return to God), disciple the people with scripture, and teach the attributes of God from scripture it just might be possible that someone, someday might write a hymn as good as Amazing Grace!