After all, when the purpose of Christ’s presence on earth is ripped from its eternal context and placed firmly within (and relegated to) the world of “social justice” and earthly systems of oppression, there’s little that church offers that, say, the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Occupy Wall Street, or a subscription to Mother Jones can’t also supply. In fact, it’s likely one of the key reasons for the steep decline in mainline churches.
#Words to in christ alone full
The importance of rejecting substitutionary atonement is tough to overstate, with ramifications across the full spectrum of spiritual, social, and cultural engagement. This is the essence of the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, and mainline protestantism is increasingly rejecting it in favor of a doctrine that places Jesus not as Savior in the orthodox sense but more as an example of love and nonviolent resistance, Gandhi on divine steroids. Or, as the Prophet Isaiah prophesied: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” God’s wrath against sin - our sin - was atoned through Christ’s sacrifice. In orthodox Christianity, sin demands sacrifice. The core of the dispute is the mainline break with orthodoxy on the very nature of God and mission of Jesus. In Christ alone grew first out of an excitement to write hymns that would help twenty-first century Christians sing, know, and embrace the incredible truths of the Lord in fresh language, and second out of a frustration with the lack of depth in the songs that were being sung in many churches (in this sense, it was a kind of protest music). The reason? The PCUSA Committee on Congregational Song objected to the lyric that proclaims “Till on that cross as Jesus died/The wrath of God was satisfied.” The Committee proposed an alternative: “Till on that cross as Jesus died/the love of God was magnified.” Getty and Townend refused the change, and the Committee voted to exclude the song.
So it was with some sorrow that I read yesterday in First Things that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to exclude the song from the church hymnal. And it’s a beautiful song, covered by countless Christian artists. It avoids shallow promises of earthly comfort in favor of the ultimate comfort - no matter our earthly destiny - found in Christ.
While the entire hymn is outstanding, the last verse was particularly meaningful: Called “In Christ Alone,” it bucks the contemporary worship trend of shallow, emotional lyrics in favor of a theologically rich presentation of the Gospel. When I was in Iraq - especially as casualties mounted, and the IED menace seemed overwhelming - I took great comfort in a contemporary hymn written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
#Words to in christ alone how to
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.What do hymn choices tell us about a denomination? A lot, it turns out.įirst, forgive me for a bit of a personal reflection. When fears are stilled, when strivings cease What heights of love, what depths of peace The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: In Christ alone my hope is found,įirm through the fiercest drought and storm.
The Getty/Townend song should not be confused with the similarly titled song "In Christ Alone" co-written by Don Koch and Shawn Craig, originally recorded by Michael English on his self-titled debut solo album Michael English, and many others. It has become very popular and has been the subject of many cover versions and many language translations. The song is commonly known as "In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)" and "In Christ Alone (I Stand)" taking verses from the song. The theme of the song is the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and that he is God whom even death cannot hold. "In Christ Alone" is considered a Christian credal song for belief in Jesus Christ. The music was by Getty and the original lyrics by Townend. The song, with a strong Irish melody, is the first hymn they penned together. In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found A Charge To Keep I Have A Communion Hymn For Christmas A Mighty Fortress Is Our God A Sign Shall Be Given A Wealth of. "In Christ Alone" is a popular modern Christian song written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, both songwriters of Christian hymns and contemporary worship music in the United Kingdom.
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