tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479522624285168644.post6258691836375043756..comments2012-03-16T16:28:09.586-07:00Comments on Mission 127 Adoption Story: A Heritage of HymnsRevSnoopyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06853570497596747358noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479522624285168644.post-32973922775552938962012-02-24T18:31:09.188-08:002012-02-24T18:31:09.188-08:00As a follow up, I do think that God cares little o...As a follow up, I do think that God cares little over style. If He did the Africans, Asians, Latin Americans, and others would need to worship as we do or us as them. Style is relitive to church personality and cultural diversity. Thanks again.RevSnoopyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06853570497596747358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479522624285168644.post-63072588462136779592012-02-24T18:28:11.447-08:002012-02-24T18:28:11.447-08:00I appreciate your comments. My use of the word &qu...I appreciate your comments. My use of the word "silly" is in reference to the fact that people argue over it. In the church we should be unified as those in Acts 2. In light of eternity the discussion over hymns and more modern songs is very unimportant. My point is that both are valued and both have a place in the church. I thank you for you opinion.RevSnoopyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06853570497596747358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479522624285168644.post-57875076924256044162012-02-24T13:24:52.803-08:002012-02-24T13:24:52.803-08:00Greetings from Wordwise Hymns. Your blog caught my...Greetings from Wordwise Hymns. Your blog caught my eye because of the reference to Fanny Crosby’s beautiful gospel song, “Draw Me Nearer.” I posted an article on it this morning.<br /><br />From all you’ve said, I’m sure we are Christian brothers, and your obvious love of our traditional hymnody is encouraging. However, you may need to give some thought to your statement that the debate between hymns and non-hymns “is really a silly discussion.” It seems to me that could impugn anyone who differs with your point of view.<br /><br />Just out of curiosity, I checked the dictionary’s definition of the word “silly.” Among other things, I was informed that it means: weak-minded or lacking good sense; stupid or foolish; absurd; ridiculous; irrational. Ouch! Is that really what you think about any of God’s people who don’t share your opinion?<br /><br />I’ve studied our hymns and gospel songs for about fifty years. I write about them regularly, in a weekly newspaper column, as well as on my blog, and in books that are either published or on the way. I’ve also hosted two radio programs, and taught a couple of college courses on the subject. I tell you these things not to boast, but simply to indicate that I have given the matter a great deal of consideration.<br /><br />There are many churches, including the one my wife and I presently attend that, out of conviction, reverse what you describe for your own church. (“We do not do a hymn every service.”) In our case, we use mostly hymns, with an occasional more contemporary song or chorus. As you note, our treasury of hymns is part of our Christian heritage. Churches that ignore the hymn book, or remove it from the pews, are missing a great deal. There is a spectrum of doctrine and a depth of devotion in those songs that is rarely matched today.<br /><br />Further, are you really sure that “God doesn't care in what style we worship as long as we worship Him for who He is”? That relegates the style to merely a matter of taste and preference, but I’m not so sure we should do that. Sometimes, “what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Lk. 16:15). When Israel had thoughts of adopting some of the worship style of the heathen in their worship of Jehovah, the Lord’s response was swift and severe (Deut. 12:29-31). <br /><br />It’s a form of the old argument that the end justifies the means. But there are many examples in the Word of God illustrating that it often does not. Nadab and Abihu were struck dead by the Lord for using “profane fire” on the altar of incense (Lev. 10:1-2). “Fire is fire, what’s the difference?” some might say, just as some today might say “music is music.” But music is a language all on its own, and if it’s saying something different from what the words are saying, the result can be confusion. Factors such as historical context, and association are also important, among a number of others.<br /><br />Well, I may have already overstayed my welcome. :-) Just wanted to give you another point of view. God bless you in your ministry for the Lord.roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435373461292769832noreply@blogger.com