First, it comes in many styles, and has for several decades. Christian rap. Christian country. Christian rock. Praise and worship. Urban gospel. Southern gospel (add your style here). Many of us like some songs from each of these formats.
But for several years now I have seen that young Christians (of my children's generation) are drawn to the textual richness of hymns. There's something about the "hymn form" that seems to allow for expanded reflection and poetic artistry. We could argue about the technical definition of a hymn, but we'll leave that for another forum.
A very good recent song that "feels like a hymn" is IN CHRIST ALONE, by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (copyright 2001, Thankyou Music). Of the Christian songs written in the past ten years, this is one of the few that may survive to be used for 100 years or more.
Indelible Grace ( www.igracemusic.com ) is another mini-movement worth noting. College pastor (and skilled musician) Kevin Twit has led a number of Nashville musicians (including Jars of Clay) to create 21st-century musical settings for great old hymns (some of them very obscure). The result is at least six compact discs that surprise and delight me.
I see that Gary Chapman operates a website ( www.ahymnaweek.com ) that seeks to publicize these old public domain hymns to a new audience as well.
The hymn-poems of Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley and Anne Steele are not essential ingredients of Jesus' Good News. But they are delightful creations that can enrich our times of worship and private devotion. GO HYMNS!
No comments:
Post a Comment