A Good "Gospel Song"

My wife and I are visiting her family in New Hampshire this week. This evening I spent some time playing and reading through an old hymnal (my mother-in-law has a whole bookshelf full of old hymnals). Several hymns caught my eye and made me wonder why we don’t sing them more regularly. The depth of theology and biblical allusions of these texts far surpass many of the "lighter," testimonial-type, "Gospel songs" we often sing.

I don’t have a problem with those types of songs, but I do think a good balance is necessary. Just as the Christian life should not be all theology with no experience, so it should neither be all experience with no theology.

If I must have a "testimonial" song, then I would choose the texts of John Newton in a heartbeat. Listen to John Newton’s testimony of God’s salvation.

In Evil Long I Took Delight
John Newton

In evil long I took delight, unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight, and stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree, in agonies and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me, as near His cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath can I forget that look:
It seemed to charge me with His death, though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt; it plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood had spilt, and helped to nail Him there.

A second look He gave, which said, "I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid: I die that thou mayest live."

I do believe, I now believe, that Jesus died for me;
And through His blood, His precious blood, I shall from sin be free.

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Tim 1:15).

Comments

Scott Aniol said…
I wouldn't describe this as a gospel song, but you're right, it is very good.

The definition of gospel song is, of course, very fluid. It's interesting to hear what people define it as. Would you define gospel song as simple a song of testimony?
Mark Perry said…
Actually, Scott, this may come as a surprise to you, but I haven't really lost much sleep over the definition of a gospel song. :-)

I suppose if I was forced to expend some energy to figure out a definition, I would probably classify most congregational church music as either a "hymn" (praise or thanks to God for who he is) or a song of testimony (what God has done for me). Obviously, there would be some overlap. I guess a "gospel song" in my mind would fall into the second category.

Anyway, I kinda figured the "musicologists" would swoop in on that "gospel song" reference. You did not disappoint (and it didn't take you long, either!). :-)
Unknown said…
It is true that many religious lyrics are poorly written and that they major on experience to the expense of doctrine. The author of http://ccmlyrics.tripod.com/ provides many examples from the CCM industry.

Wella I feel good, good, good
Wella, I feel good
Oh yes my Lord
Because there's somethin'
'Bout the Spirit of Jesus
That makes me feel good
Good, goo-oo-ood, good

—Acappella

I've been thinking through this idea that some songs are fluff and that we should have more doctrinal songs—especially as it applies to our hymnals. I tend to agree but am not sure the pendulum should swing as far as has been suggested by some.

Do not the psalms speak about experience? They are written better and automatically command our respect as inspired text, but as you read them, some have the same characteristics as contemporary praise and worship lyrics: repetative phrases, talking about my experience, emotional praise, etc.

I hope that contemporary writers will write better lyrics. There is a need to return to doctrinally based lyrics. There is also a place for those speaking about experience. But, it seems to me, that if we write off lyrics which speak of experience, we might inadvertantly write off some of the biblical psalms.
Mark Perry said…
Andy, maybe there is a balance: if we allow doctrine to explain and govern our experience, then songs written about our experience wouldn't be a problem. I think the problem with "experiential" songs is that they can be extra-biblical or even anti-biblical at times.

I am in no way discounting the validity of songs based in personal experience. Like you said, the Psalms are filled with the songs of a heart overflowing with love and praise to God. Excellent point.

But perhaps we ought to make more of a point of allowing doctrine to govern our experience. Instead of assuming that what I feel is automatically right (since I felt it!), I should ask myself if these feelings are in line with God's Word. I think that John Newton's song here does that, and does it well.
Unknown said…
I agree. Experience can reflect bad doctrine.
Scott Aniol said…
I need to do a blog about this some time, because views like mine are often caricatured in a way that implies that I don't approve of testimonial hymns. On the contrary, hymns of testimony that reflect right doctrine are great!

I guess I view the defintion of gospel song more from a historical standpoint. If we take gospel song literally, it would have to be those congregational songs in the style of Sankey and Bliss, not merely hymns of testimony.

All that to say, I judge hymns based on whether they say something biblically profound, and this applies to strictly doctrinal hymns, praise hymns, or hymns of testimony.

Yeah, I jumped on this; I guess it's a little bit of a soft spot. I just recently heard that the word on the street is that I disaprove of gospel songs. This is a true statement, but only if you define gospel song how I do! :)
Scott Aniol said…
BTW, I wrote a paper on the gospel song here.
Mark Perry said…
Scott, I read your paper-- very interesting. I guess I have always evaluated "gospel songs" on the basis of their biblical content (or lack thereof).

I certainly wouldn't see simplicity or "singability" as detrimental to a hymn. Almost every hymn tune that has survived the test of time has been easy to remember or "catchy" in some sense.

And simplicity in the text is actually a virtue, unless it gives way to imprecision. Being simple, yet precise and accurate-- now that is a challenge.

I guess all that to say that I don't see the necessity of eliminating the "gospel song" as a genre from my church's musical vocabulary (although I would pick and choose carefully). At the same time, I don't have a problem with someone excluding that genre either.

Scott, after doing that research, do you ever wish you could have some of the music you have written back? :-)
Scott Aniol said…
In a word, yes. :)
Mark Perry said…
I know there are some sermons or lessons I gave that I might like to have back too. :-) Live and learn!