The Relevance of Hymns in Contemporary Society

by Steve Turley

Do hymns still have relevance in our contemporary culture? Many people don't seem to think so. More and more, churches are turning to contemporary praise songs as their sole musical expression of worship. But I believe there is a discussion much needed in the church about the significance of this shift.

The justification of this shift tends to focus more on style than substance. The discussion ought not to center on taste, that is organs vs. synthesizers, Sunday finery vs. casual wear, etc. A person does not become a fan of country music through an argument. The discussion must center on the content of the music and its relation to us as the recipients of God's Word in the modern world.

The significance of hymns is their clear expression of the knowledge of God. This God to whom we are singing is identified and completely distinct from all other gods and faiths. Contemporary praise songs, conversely, tend to focus more on our affections towards God. Theological confessions tend to take a back seat to shorter and simpler expressions of personal praise.

Now, why does this matter? It has great significance. A Muslim, for example, cannot sing a hymn and really mean what he is singing. That is because he would be professing statements that directly contradict his Islamic doctrine. However, a Muslim can sing many contemporary praise songs and never utter a contradiction of his faith. This is because contemporary praise songs tend to focus on our affections for God, as opposed to doctrinal distinctions.

"(Allah), is an awesome god,
he reigns from heaven above with wisdom power and love,
(Allah) is an awesome god."

But a Muslim cannot sing "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross", or,

"The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord
She is His new creation by water and the Word
From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride
With His own blood he bought her and for her life He died."

Obviously, we are not saying that we must discard contemporary praise songs. The point is discarding hymns completely for contemporary praise songs is dangerous, since contemporary praise songs tend not to define the God to whom we are singing. And if there is no doctrinal distinction, then our Christian faith looses its identification and character.

This needs to be thought through. Churches should not avoid the blending of hymns with contemporary praise songs. Our God is both the God of Mount Sinai and the Christ who put His arm around the woman at the well. For the one, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" codifies the event. For the woman at the well, "I Love You, Lord" speaks beautifully.

Let us joyously sing to our Lord and Savior, who is distinct and set apart from all peoples, all philosophies, and all other gods. For as we sing and profess our faith unto Him, we ourselves are set apart from the world, in His presence, and there we love to be.

Return to the Article Index.