[Charles Henrickson]

Today is the 400th anniversary of the birth of the great hymn writer, Paul Gerhardt (1607-76).

[StrictTime]

It says a great deal about Christianity’s trivialization in the last 400 years that a retiring bishop of the Church of England recently informed an interviewer he considered it his greatest accomplishment to have purged this choral [Now Thank We All Our God] – the basis of a wonderful cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach – from the hymnals in his diocese. The significance of the cross clearly eluded this supercilious prelate.

I don't understand this. Really. Why would that be something to be so proud of? What on earth is wrong with church leaders today?

Contemporary Christian "praise songs" are so banal, repetitive, and devoid of theology, that I for one relish the hymns found in our "old" Lutheran hymnals. Contemporary praise songs also completely miss the mark when it comes to what the article refers to as "Trotz und Trost", because we as poor, miserable sinners need encouragemet through the storms of life, not just get-happy platitudes.

Thank you for this post!

[Charles Henrickson]

Ping.

[bcsco]

Thank you, Pastor, for the ping. I've copied the post into Word for archive purposes. I too agree that old liturgy and hymns are the best. I wish our congregation would return to them. Perhaps we will, as we may be seeking a new pastor. I will certainly voice my opinion should the time arise.

Jim

[lightman]

Lutheran hymnody Ping!

Keep a Good Lent!

[Honorary Serb]

It says a great deal about Christianity’s trivialization in the last 400 years that a retiring bishop of the Church of England recently informed an interviewer he considered it his greatest accomplishment to have purged this [chorale, "Now Thank We All Our God"] – the basis of a wonderful cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach – from the hymnals in his diocese. The significance of the cross clearly eluded this supercilious prelate.

The stinking feminazis who put together the new ELCA "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" have either eliminated or "altered" into effeminate pablum so many great Lutheran chorales--as well as Wesleyan and Anglican classics. And now that feminazi/peacnik/heretic hymnal and liturgy book has been shoved down our throats in our Blue State synod, whether we want it or not!!!!

It is the feminazis who are responsible for 95% of the decline of American Lutheranism in the past several decades--as well as the decline of many other American denominations. (Even Roman Catholicism has not entirely escaped their degrative influence.) And it is they who have made the senseless obsession with "gays" and their "rights" in the churches possible. And yet many people in the churches, especially in Blue States, do not recognize that there has been a decline.

Feminazis should be ashamed of themeselves, and repent! However, they are proud of their dirty-work instead.

[stayathomemom]

In a sense, Gerhardt’s “small martyrdom” foreshadowed the confessional struggles in Prussia a century and a half later when King Frederick William III forced Lutherans in his realm into a union with the Reformed, an event which led to the emigration of confessional Lutherans to America and ultimately the formation of the LCMS.

This is when my mother's side of my family came from Germany.

I checked CW and see that there are 18 of his hymns in it. Some are favorites of mine but there are a couple I don't believe I have ever heard!

P.S. Catherine Winkworth is amazing!

[Charles Henrickson]

I’m scheduled to be interviewed this afternoon (4:00-4:30 Central) on the Issues Etc. radio/Internet program, on the topic, “Paul Gerhardt: A Hymn Writer For You.”

http://kfuoam.org/ie_main.htm

There’s a link there to listen live, and tomorrow the archive will be posted.

[martin_fierro]

What makes Gerhardt so unique is his ability to describe the reality of the Cross in elegant meters.

Ich bin ein good hymner.

[MinuteGal]

We SING the power of the Lord
Who bade the mountains rise
Who spread the flowing seas abroad
And built the lofty skies

We SING the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day
The moon shines, too, at His command
And all the stars obey

We SING the goodness of the Lord
Who fills the earth with food
Who formed His creatures by a word
And then pronounced them good.

One thing I love about the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church is the fact that we SING.

We SING all those old, melodic verses with their quaint but inspirational, comforting words. What more powerful hymn, both words and music, is there existant than Luther's battle hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God....A Trusty Shield and Weapon"?

The traditional noels we sing on Christman Eve and Christmas morning services warm the heart and bring back memories of holidays past and loved ones passed on.

I''m SO blessed in belonging to a conservative church that SINGS all the great hymns in its religious history.

Leni

[PJ-Comix]

My favorite hymn is by Homer "Schmidt" in Lillies of the Field. Sidney Poitier's character, not his voice. I think the guy who wrote it (for the movie) is the same guy who sang it.