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Fifth-Rate Hymns
the subject of Christian deference and preferences in worship. That's right, ours is not the first generation in which followers of Jesus have struggled over style issues as they relate to the music used in corporate worship. FIFTH-RATE HYMNS When I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own, by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and wouldn't go to the churches and Gospel Halls; . . . . I disliked very much their hymns which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the merit of it. I came up against different people of quite different outlooks and different education, and then gradually my conceit just began peeling off. I realized that the hymns (which were just sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren't fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit. C. S. Lewis, "Answers to Questions on Christianity" from GOD IN THE DOCK: ESSAYS ON THEOLOGY AND ETHICS: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970. (Reprint edition, 1994) ISBN: 0802808689 [In another place, Lewis says that good taste in poetry or music is not necessary to salvation.] [Lord, give us grace to major on the majors. Forgive our "solitary conceit. Amen."] Have a great week. Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky carlstam@aol.com www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |