The basic beliefs of most Christians have been formulated more by
the hymns they sing than by the preaching they hear or the Bible study
they pursue. Certainly one's disposition toward, or away from right
belief is subtly but indelibly influenced by the hymns one repeatedly
sings. [Harry Eskew and Hugh T. McElrath, Sing with Understanding
(Nashville: Broadman Press, 1980), p. 59. Used by permission.]
Hymns have had more to do with Christian instruction and thinking
than anything except the Bible itself.2 [Kenneth O. Jones, “Hymns
and Theology,” The Hymn, 12, No. 2 (April, 1961), p. 2.
Used by permission.]
. . .it is scarcely open to question that hymns have reflected and
affected the beliefs of those using them. Sometimes the connection
has been explicit. . . More often it has come about simply as people
sang what was on their minds. To note what people choose to sing,
indeed, is to learn a good deal about what they believe.3 [Hugh T.
Kerr and David A. Weadon, “Hymns and Theology: A Case Study,”
Reformed Liturgy & Music, 18, No. 1 (Winter, 1984), p. 23.
Permission requested.]
Theology, good, bad, or indifferent, is present in all hymns, making
it important to identify just what we are upholding when we sing.
The beliefs involved may be affirmed or denied, explicit or implicit,
intentional or incidental, eloquently or crudely formulated. In any
case, all hymns make some kind of theological statement; they have
something to say about God, the divine character and purpose, the
nature and destiny of human life, the way of salvation, human responsibility
before God, and related matters. When we are voicing concerns as ultimate
as these it is important that we pay attention to the content of our
words.4 [John Webster Grant, “The Hymn as Theological Statement,”
The Hymn, 37, No. 4 (October, 1986), p. 7. Used by permission.]
Hymns convey theology and consequently through the singing of hymns
(in connection with power of music to link ideas with emotion) theological
ideas are subtly conveyed to the singer. This is done either consciously
or subconsciously. Consciously, it is done when people intentionally
sing the hymns which overtly express what they believe. In this context,
hymn singing can be equated to an offering of sorts in the spirit of
Hebrews 13: