Posted on 07/30/2013 5:30:30 AM PDT by Gamecock
I saw this over at Denny Burk’s blog today. Apparently the reason the Presbyterian Church USA doesn’t like “In Christ Alone (one of my favorites), is because of that unpopular, un-politically correct word, “Wrath.” As we’ve pointed out many times here at SUFTT, the more sin is watered down, the less we have of the true Gospel. In other words – no sin = FALSE gospel. The PCUSA has been going down a concerning path for quite some time now, and it appears that this is just another symptom of the problem the devil delights in: a departure from Truth to appeal to the world. Here’s the article: PCUSA rejects popular hymn “In Christ Alone”
Timothy George explains why the Presbyterian Church USA has recently rejected the hymn “In Christ Alone” from its new hymnal:
Recently, the wrath of God became a point of controversy in the decision of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song to exclude from its new hymnal the much-loved song “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. The Committee wanted to include this song because it is being sung in many churches, Presbyterian and otherwise, but they could not abide this line from the third stanza: “Till on that cross as Jesus died/the wrath of God was satisfied.” For this they wanted to substitute: “…as Jesus died/the love of God was magnified.” The authors of the hymn insisted on the original wording, and the Committee voted nine to six that “In Christ Alone” would not be among the eight hundred or so items in their new hymnal.
There is no surprise in this news. Although not all PCUSA churches are theologically liberal, the denomination by and large is. Liberalism and wrath go together like oil and water; they don’t mix. And historically speaking, one of them eventually has to go. When wrath goes, so does the central meaning of the atonement of Christ—penal substitution. At the end of the day, the cross itself is the stumbling block, and that is why the PCUSA cannot abide this hymn.
You can read the rest of George’s article here. You can read the lyrics below.
In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.
“In Christ Alone” Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music
he authors didn't allow the change.
good for them.
So they can't get away with something like what Rev. Schuller did with Amazing Grace. Good.
My church had a 10 page bulletin. We print them in there.
Yep. It’s too easy.
I honestly think in our era that hymnbooks are a thing of the past, and big expenditures for them is a waste of church money.
It’s true that sheet music can for hymns can be downloaded from sites such as Hymmtime.com and then printed in the bulletin. but I still make use of the hymn books—not only for the music, but for bibliographical information, scriptural references, etc.
In my opinion, the old hymn book will suffice for the old hymns, and multi-media will do all one asks for the newer songs.
So, imho, hymnbooks are a has-been.
More importantly, they are a way for a pastor in one of these brain-dead denomination to tell the hymn-committees to go suck on rotten eggs.
While we’re at it, let’s get rid of the pew Bibles as well. In this age of smart phones, Ipads and Biblegateway.com, who needs actual physical Bibles?
Does a bible and a hymnbook have the same divine inspiration and authority or is one different than the other?
I have no problem with bibles on ipads if that’s what the congregant wishes to use. I also have no problem with putting scripture on the screen. I really have no problem with folks’ bibles being digital instead of print.
There is nothing irreligious about that. It is simply a different media, and no different than a handwritten versus a printed copy.
My only caveat with the bible would be the desire to have a hard copy in case the electricity went kaput or some wicked government decided to wipe out all books or types of books.
I’m sorry, but I’m old school, and I still like hymn books. When we sing a hymn in the course of a service, I want to be able to read the notes, especially if it’s difficult to sing. I also want to see who wrote it and when it was written, and any scriptural references.
At home, I also have a collection of hymn books that’s growing.
I absolutely think you should be able to worship in the way that you choose.
I’m simply commenting on denominational hymnbook committees and how easy it is to tell them in our day to take a hike. Do what you want, committee, we just won’t use your book.
The music is far better than modern praise and worship. They are quite serious composers dedicated to accurate lyrics.
We need more like them.
“Does a bible and a hymnbook have the same divine inspiration and authority”
It does if you are using a Psalter.
http://www.amazon.com/Trinity-Psalter-Psalms-Words-Only-Edition/dp/1884527078
http://www.amazon.com/The-Scottish-Psalter-Including-Paraphrases/dp/1453856242
Ahhhhh...this is one of my favorite hymns. Oh well, I guess I won’t be attending a PCUSA church. ;O)
Imagine my relief!
**some wicked government decided to wipe out all books or types of books.**
Ten years ago I would have thought that is crazy talk. Today I’m not so sure....
**some wicked government decided to wipe out all books or types of books.**Ten years ago I would have thought that is crazy talk. Today I’m not so sure....
One of the reasons I am leery of the move to e-books. "Global search and replace", and all of a sudden your book doesn't say what it said a week ago.
The militant abortionists, gay mafia etc. say "what you believe against abortion, against gay marriage is not shared by all Christians -- see, look at the ECUSA" and these denominations are used as sticks to beat the rest of us
Similarly Moslems don't see our little differences -- we're all the same to them and they see us ALL as "homosexual accepting". Not a laughing matter
Not any added musical notes or instructions, and not any non-biblical text.
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