Strange Lyre: Conclusion
A good theologian once drew me a diagram of the progress of Christian doctrine and Christian history from the apostles to our day. He drew… Read More »Strange Lyre: Conclusion
Articles on Hymnody
Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship
We began this series by making the claim that Pentecostalism has quietly (or not so quietly) colonised Protestant worship, even in those churches and groups… Read More »Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship
The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity
A polarized debate goes on between different stripes of Christians over the place of experience in Christianity. One side asserts that experiential faith (what the… Read More »The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity
Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship
An easy error for a historian to commit is to equate or link events or movements in history that are similar, while ignoring or underplaying… Read More »Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship
Discerning the Christian Imagination: Consensus and Canonicity
Determining if a poem, hymn, musical piece, novel, devotional work, painting or other work should be considered a helpful work of Christian imagination is mostly… Read More »Discerning the Christian Imagination: Consensus and Canonicity
Discerning the Christian Imagination: Analogies and Proportion
If Christians should grow in their ability to discern superior Christian works of imagination, how should they do this? Must every Christian pursue some kind… Read More »Discerning the Christian Imagination: Analogies and Proportion
Christian Imagination is Not Imaginary Christianity
Christian imagination is not a term that will immediately draw approving responses. These days, Christianity is on the back foot anyway, and anything that sounds… Read More »Christian Imagination is Not Imaginary Christianity
“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
The man had heard the stories, but he hardly dared to believe that they were true. A Teacher from Nazareth was said to be able… Read More »“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
“O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
As a young man, Scotsman George Matheson (1842–1906) exhibited a quick mind and a fervent devotion to the Lord. He began to train for the… Read More »“O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
We Rest on Thee
British poet Edith G. Cherry (1872-1897) contracted polio at a young age and dealt with severe health struggles all through her short life. Yet after… Read More »We Rest on Thee
Hoping Through the Darkness Before Dawn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
How is it that one of the oldest and best-known Christmas carols asks for the Messiah to come, when in actuality He has already done… Read More »Hoping Through the Darkness Before Dawn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Thanksgiving During a Plague: Martin Rinkart (1586–1649)
When the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) engulfed northern Europe, Christians in Germany suffered under the terrors of war, famine, and plague. As a new pastor… Read More »Thanksgiving During a Plague: Martin Rinkart (1586–1649)
Hymns sifted in Satan’s sieve of suffering
In the midst of difficult days, it is helpful to learn from those saints who have endured hard times before us. We are self-centered enough… Read More »Hymns sifted in Satan’s sieve of suffering
Roots of Evangelical Worship: The Wesleys and Methodism
What today we might call “evangelical worship” stems from many different influences, some of which I have been highlighting here over the past couple of… Read More »Roots of Evangelical Worship: The Wesleys and Methodism
Affect or Effect
The difference between affections and emotions is seen in what art is used in worship. Since worship uses art, worship leaders can use it in… Read More »Affect or Effect
Singing and Making Melody
In both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, Paul commands gathered believers to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, thereby “singing and making melody to the… Read More »Singing and Making Melody
Why Hymnals?
I was recently asked to fill out a survey for pastors about their use of hymnals. Their final question was: “If you DO use hymnals… Read More »Why Hymnals?
Hymns Ancient and Modern for a New Generation
In 1861 a hymnal was published in England that would set the standard for all hymnals to follow: Hymns Ancient and Modern. This significant hymnal was… Read More »Hymns Ancient and Modern for a New Generation
A Parable About Pop Music in Church
Christian 1: So I hear you have a problem with lollipops? Christian 2: Lollipops? No, I think they’re just fine. Christian 1: But you apparently… Read More »A Parable About Pop Music in Church
Tozer on great Christian poetry
In the preface to his Christian Book of Mystical Verse, A. W. Tozer writes, The hymns and poems found in here are mystical in that they… Read More »Tozer on great Christian poetry