Hymns and Hypocrisy
24 March 2006

I know, I know. Someone is going to read this and take it the wrong way. So before you send me flame mail please try to understand where I’m coming from:

1. I love hymns. The theology in and stories behind hymns are amazing.
2. I think the church should sing them! They help plant images of truth in the hearts of people.

However, I find it striking how those who criticize churches for “not singing enough hymns” are often people who should be asked the hard questions that probe into their lives of “not being generous with their giving” or “not attending services regularly” or “not refraining from gossiping” or “not praying for the pastor” or…

There are certainly those in churches today who long for these hymns to be sung as they remember because they evoke fond memories.I totally get that. When I sing certain hymns, I too have certain memories elicited. When I talk with a person like this, I love to hang out with them and find out what makes that hymn special to them. I get that.

However, there are others who make this request in a tone that conveys the message of “You don’t care enough about Biblical truth to sing the right kind of songs.” In all my years of ministry, now, I can only find such requests funny. Funny? Yes, because it takes quite a lot of guts to be so arrogant, like a little kid demanding a better tooth brush, all the while he continues to gorge on the candy that’s causing his teeth to rot out of his mouth. I often want to look that person in the eye and ask them to sing a life song that is more obedient (Psalm 40:3).

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