The words - “See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down” are sung, as Marcus says, without any need for musical instruments, and are so much more powerful for it. But the older hymns, including ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘When I survey the Wondrous Cross’ are so powerful as to put the hairs on your face on end. Yes, I love some of the contemporary classics that Hillsong have put out in recent years, especially the melodically rich ‘Magnificent’ and the euphoric, greeny-grey chords of ‘Eagle's Wings’. Harry Hughes: Contemporary Even though I put down ‘contemporary’, my heart was still torn.
#Instruments of the passion of christ movie full#
For those of us who are put off by the old hymns, it’s important that we realize the necessity of incorporating the full Gospel message. So, in my opinion, we need to work out a way of breaking this false dichotomy of the old hymns versus the “new” ones. One artist who did this well was Keith Green, who used the Scripture that defined many of the old Christian hymns, while managing to engage with the youth culture of his time. Contemporary and edgy music with a doctrinally sound, thought-provoking message. I think the best choice is the perfect blend of the two. There’s no real substance in the lyrics and it rarely confronts the modern culture with the full truth of the Gospel message. In some cases, this is pretty well-founded. On the other hand, you could argue that contemporary Christian music is just mimicking the world too much. What’s more, there’s a perception that in order to appreciate the old hymns you have to be just that: old. Well, the problem with some of the old hymns is that they are so steeped in doctrine that a contemporary audience cannot always relate. On the other hand, you have the younger Christians who appreciate the more contemporary, less word-heavy kind of music. You know, the doctrinally rich, uncompromising, Christ-centered songs which your grandparents know all the words to. On the one hand you have the old hymn lovers. Listen Favorite hymn: 'Before the Throne of God Above' Adam Brennan: A mix There seems to be a bit of a false dichotomy in the Church nowadays. I think there’s something in us, as the saints of God, lifting up just our voices in unison to declare truth, and that is what hymns are all about. With the availability of instruments widespread, our contemporary worship songs are hardly ever sung without the aiding of instrumentation. Many were written without any musical arrangement, so adopted the melodies of contemporary songs of the day. Probably the greatest thing about hymns is that they can be sung acapella without any real need of instruments. It is this heartfelt cry, alongside sound doctrine, which make hymns extremely powerful. Using all of that tragedy, he penned a hymn that is still regularly sung today due to its reassuring lyricism. The writer of ‘It Is well’, Horatio Spafford, lost his business in the Great Chicago fire and his four daughters died at sea travelling to England. Like most songs, hymns have backstories, some of which are truly amazing. Hymns make me want to go away and research the lyrics and find the history and biblical basis behind them. I will concede they can become lost behind the complexity of ye olde English, but that’s what I love the most. Hymns have some of the most encouraging and passionate words you will ever recite. Though it’s nice to have songs with the contemporary musical arrangements we’re more accustomed to, it’s all about the content, so for me, the lyrics are the most important part. Marcus Jones: Hymns As much as I love the contemporary stylings of Hillsong and Bethel, nothing beats a good ol’ hymn. It is about what gives our wonderful God most pleasure: our heart and intentions. It is not about my preferences, or dislikes. But remember, no matter which point of the spectrum your preference lay, hymns, songs, music is just a means to an end: worship to God. So, which do we prefer? Here are some thoughts from fellow believers about their choices and views. With the rise of Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) in the last 50 years or so, the previous popular choice for corporate worship time, hymns, have become less prominent in some circles. As Christians, our whole lives should be a living sacrifice of worship to God, but undoubtedly, praise and thanksgiving through song play a significant role (just look at Psalms). Worship is in an extremely vital component of the Christian life.