Let's sing hymns!

I just got back from the community hymn sing at Southern Seminary. Keith and Kristyn Getty, who wrote the contemporary hymn "In Christ Alone", co-led the evening. It was a wonderful time filled with heartfelt hymn singing from children of God in this local community. I must give a hearty "amen" to the Gettys' passion for hymns. They gave two reasons, I'm sure there's more, for why it's good to sing hymns. One is that hymn singing is a tool for teaching people our faith. We sing what we know. Second is hymns can be sung in every generation. Saints of old have written theology and emotion-filled hymns centuries ago and we still sing them today. People like the Gettys are writing hymns, not targeting the contemporary pop culture, but for everyone, young and old.

In this CCM (contemporary Christian music) generation, people forget that singing is also a means of teaching. Someone has once told me that the criticism on CCM has been too harsh. Her point is, what is wrong with people expressing their feelings through songs? That's a valid point. People are entitled the right to express their emotions through songs for sure. However, in my personal opinion Christian music has swung too far to the side of emotionalism. When we sing, we are bound to have emotions (hopefully). But what is stirring these emotions in us? Lines like "I worship You" "Lord, I love You", "I praise You, Lord" can be repeated numerous times in a song. But who are you worshipping? Who is this God you are giving praise to? Why do you love the Lord? You can be singing those lines again and again and feel the emotion of "worship", and yet never have a firm grasp of the God who is the Creator of heaven and earth, the sovereign King, all-wise, etc. You can keep "praising" Him because that's what Christians are supposed to sing and say, or because you feel the emotional urge to praise, and yet never realize the gravity of the sin Christ bore on the cross and the severity of the penalty He undertook, that is, separation from God the Father. You can sing of your love for the Lord. But do you realize His love for us that is so severe and holy, that He even gave His only Son for us?

We do not teach the congregation enough through singing. Songs in a worship service are not just there. They are supposed to be there so people can be fed spiritually with God's word throughout the service. Oh I hope to see that the songs that stick in people's mind are ones that are filled with God's truth that provokes genuine affections within us for Him, for who He is.

It's Easter season. There are tons of songs out there remembering and celebrating the cross, death of Christ and His resurrection. Here is a hymn written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend that has deeply touched my heart and reminded me of the gospel of Christ. May it encourage you to look to Christ, meditate on His love ultimately manifested in the cross.

The Power of the Cross
words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

O, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day;
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

(chorus)
This the power of the cross;
Christ became sin for us.
Took the blame, bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the cross.

O, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awsome weight of sin.
Every bitter thought,
Every evil deed
Crowning Your blood-stained brow.

(chorus)

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life
Finished! the victory cry.

(chorus)

O, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death,
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love!

This the power of the cross;
Son of God slain for us.
What a name, what a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.