Older believers have been conditioned to "say it right." So let me first say, yes, there are some great new songs around. The music and the words both. And many people truly worship accompanied by these new tunes & lyrics.
Now let me tell you how I really feel.
Since the "established" church seems to have trouble with the old
hymnbooks, this old dinosaur I see in the mirror every day sings out of one, often, in private. Yes, I confess, I love even the
poetry of these songs. I was raised on them, what can I say? There was majesty
and beauty and downright sense to the words.
Take this one. Now, I have never sung it in my life, couldn't whistle the tune if
I tried, but while skimming through the book ("Hymns of the Christian
Life", 1936! -before even my time) countless times, I have once more run
across this song. I decided to do a "read only." Oh my, I was
touched so deeply... Check out these words:
1. Jesus and shall it ever be, a mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee Whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days?
2. Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far let evening blush to own a star;
He sheds the beams of light divine o'er this benighted soul of mine.
3. Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend on Whom my hopes of heaven depend!
No; when I blush, be this my shame, that I no more revere His Name.
4. Ashamed of Jesus! Yes, I may when I've no guilt to wash away,
No tears to wipe, no good to crave, no fears to quell, no soul to save.
5. Till then, nor is my boasting vain, till then I boast a Saviour slain;
And O may this my glory be, that Christ is not ashamed of me.
OH how wonderful those words of Joseph Grigg! I can only imagine that Henry
Oliver's tune enhances the beauty. Because that's how the old songs were, for
the most part. Great lyrics, supportive music. Not the other way around.
Here's a suggestion for Mother Church, the Body of the Lord Himself. If we
so desire novelty for our youth, let's teach them some of these great
"old" songs that they have never heard. To them, they will be new. To us they will be
precious. And we'll all be happy.
Suggestion two, while I'm on a roll. The Church was not created for the
world, but for the saints. Let the Church remain holy and draw "all
men" to Christ through the preached cross. Let the saints feel comfortable
in their own home. The world has its own home.
Music that appeals
to the flesh is of the world. Music that effects bodily changes is fleshly.
Music that makes me want to cover my ears is an offense. Music that, like
alcohol and tobacco, takes some "getting used to" needs to be
re-considered, before ears are polluted and too many people will not
even want to go to a church that does not rock.
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