Answers
By BGEA Staff • February 28, 2024 • Topics: Worship
Q:
Why are churches so inclined to bury the old hymns of the church and take up new chants that don’t move the heart to compassion? When I go to church, I want to experience church, not a rock concert with strobe lights and smoke. My teenagers say that I am old fashioned and can’t move with the times. I’m not sure it’s wise to move with the times when I see the deception of our times.
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
The book of Psalms is the Bible’s hymnbook. It will show what it means to walk with God in prayer and praise. We must not lose sight of the great musical heritage that preaches the Gospel message. God raised up men and women whose musical and poetic gifts enriched the lives of God’s people and opened the hearts of millions to the Gospel. The hymns and songs of the faith still have a powerful and rich message for us.
Sadly, songs like “Rescue the Perishing, Care for the Dying,” disappeared along with the hymnal; its theme has disappeared from many hearts. Those who are spiritually perishing need to hear the Gospel. The old hymns were written by men and women who came through terrible suffering and penned lyrics that have spoken to many people down through the years.
Paul and Silas sang their song of praise at midnight in a rat-infested jail in Philippi, their feet in stocks, their backs raw from the jailer’s whip. But their patience in suffering and persecution led to the conversion of the prison warden.
The church is a storehouse of spiritual food whereby the inner person is fed, nourished, and developed into maturity. May we always lift up the Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
