Hymn Talk

One of the distinct pleasures of the Christmas season is singing glorious advent songs. Christendom has reserved perhaps her best music for the veneration of the Lord’s incarnation. In this bonus episode, Zack and Alex profile some of their favorite Christmas Hymns.

Recordings:

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BQntjlBmc0

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_RRlNtAlKg

“All My Heart this Night Rejoices”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN2r_D664dU

“Once in David’s Royal City”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT3cfXd3Shk

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOF9JLJkPis

Charles Spurgeon is not only one of the most influential Baptists in church history, but he remains one of the most prominent evangelicals that has ever lived. Known primarily for his writing and preaching in London, he’s less remembered for his activism and mercy ministry. Thankfully, Alex has just finished a dissertation on this aspect of Spurgeon’s life. In this episode, Zack interviews Alex on the topic, and they also profile Joseph Hart’s hymn “Come Ye Sinners.”

The Lord’s Supper holds different levels of prominence in different church traditions. For Roman Catholics and many Reformers, Communion is the central feature of gathered worship. Yet many modern evangelicals in the free church tradition, particularly baptists, tend to have a lower view of the Lord’s Supper. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the biblical place of this sacrament in Christian experience. They also profile the hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”

Listeners will notice Alex’s audio is poor at times. This was due to technical difficulties that will be improved for future podcasts.

Evangelicalism has historically been called the “religion of the heart.” Evangelicals have always proclaimed the indispensability of a personal attachment to Jesus. Such “heart religion” has always led to the writing of biblically rich hymns that foster a vital relationship with the Lord. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the intersection between hymns and the heart - namely, how Christian singing nurtures personal devotion to Christ. They also discuss John Wilbur Chapman’s hymn “Jesus, What a Friend of Sinners.”

Psalm 67 celebrates the saving power of God to the nations and the praise rendered to Him for his salvation. The glory of God has always been the ultimate goal of missions. As John Piper has helpfully argued: “missions exist because worship doesn’t.” In this episode of Hymn Talk, Zack and Jimmy (a missionary to South Asia) discuss the intersection between missions, worship, and congregational singing. They also discuss the 13th century hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

A robustly biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit is vital to Christ-centered worship. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the indispensable ministry of the third person of the trinity. They also profile the hymn “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.

Catechisms, creeds, and confessions are wonderful tools given to the church to defend the faith. These liturgical elements aid Christians in maintaining unity, adorning our worship, and connecting us to saints of the past. Sadly, creeds and confessions are thoroughly neglected in the free church tradition. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the value of catechisms, creeds, and confessions. They also profile the hymn “Christ our Hope in Life and Death.”

Scripture teaches that God governs and ordains all things that come to pass. This truth is typically presented in the Bible to instruct and encourage God’s people. Yet Christians tend to think little about God’s providence. Zack and Alex discuss this topic along with the hymn “Whate’er My God Ordains is Right.”

Every song in gathered worship should render praise to God. Doxology should be the governing principle through each element of worship. Yet we believe it’s appropriate for certain songs to strike a pronounced note of praise in a worship service. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss how to best understand songs of praise. They also review the hymn “Praise to the Lord the Almighty.”

In an age when “nothing is sacred,” how should Christians try to convey the majesty of God in worship and congregational singing? Zack and Alex discuss this topic along with Reginald Heber’s hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.”