Your So- Called "Baptist Hymnal" is Questionable.
Why call it "Baptist Hymnal" when most of the Hymns on the Hymnbook were either written, composed, or arranged by protestants? Most of the Hymns you sing in your so- called "Baptist Hymnals" were from Methodist, Lutheran, Wesleyan, Episcopalian, Classical Music Composers, or Calvinists. Some of the writers are Calvinist, Unitarian, or they embraced the doctrines opposite from the Fundamental doctrines of the Baptists.
Therefore, what kind or genre of church music do you prefer to use for worship or listen for personal enjoyment? Songs such as "Dwelling in Beulah Land" and "In the Garden" were not written by a Fundamental Baptist songwriter, but many Baptists use such songs in their worship. But there are Contemporary, Praise and Worship songs, and other genres that were composed by Baptists with sound doctrine.
There are issues, questions, and clarifications in terms of standards in choice of Music at church that every pastor must put their hearts and minds on. Julia Ward Howe for example was an Episcopalian and Unitarian on her view of God. And she was problematic in her marriage and was against equality. She wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and it was not written for church hymn or worship, but for political reasons during the Civil War. (Check on Wikipedia). Obviously, many conservatives and Fundamental Baptist churches use her songs or hymns for worship. I did and I still enjoy singing the hymn.
If Christian churches will set a standard for music, which of the following would it be? Is it just fine to use the protestants' hymns? Or do you have to know who the writers are, and their view of God, the Scriptures or their Statement of Faith? Will we be more conscious and firm on the tempo or genre or must be more doctrinal?
Speaking of church music with sound doctrines; notice the hymn- "The Church's One Foundation" on its first stanza on third line it says; "From heav'n came and sought her To be His holy bride…" Remember Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost as recorded in Luke 19:10, and as we all know that the Lord Jesus Christ was not born to die for the church but for the lost. The church is not lost… This is Calvinism, and this is not doctrinally sound, and not Scriptural.
To be sarcastic and dogmatic on music is not a good plumbline for church's standard of Christianity. Here is another hymn that is not Biblically right. Check on "Come, Thou Almighty King". On the third stanza it says; "Come, Holy Comforter, Thy sacred witness bear In this glad hour! Thou, who Almighty art, Now rule in every heart…" The Lord will not and does not "rule the heart" of the godless, atheists, or unbelievers. (Colossians 3:15). God rules the Universe, but He is outside of every heart of man who refused to accept Him as their Savior and Ruler of their heart, therefore God can't be in their hearts.
Don't get me wrong, I love hymns, but sometimes it freaks me out while singing at church when I analyze and compare what the song says, as to what the Bible says.
I'm sure many of you love the hymn "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder". A doctor/pastor friend of mine pointed this out to me when we were in California, and I was standing next to him at the church service. He said this is doctrinally wrong. Then I figured out that the hymn's message sounds like the writer was talking about the Rapture, but he was not. Notice the first stanza, first line; "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more…" The writer was talking about the Second Coming and the End of the World. "Time shall be no more…" that would be the Millennium Kingdom of Christ or the One Thousand Years reign of Christ.
Setting a standard on Church's music must be with careful scrutiny especially with its Biblical message and not be concentrated on the genre or tempo. The use of instruments is the most erratic way in setting a standard for your church music.
I don't believe in "Baptist Music Heritage" or "Baptist Hymnal", because all my life as a pastor and a Christian; most of the hymnals I sang at church were not "Baptist" in origin. Rock Music is the only genre for me that is unacceptable during worship, that's the only one that is outside of my preference.
Enjoy your preferred Christian music and spiritual songs or hymns if it draws you closer to our God.
Ely Roque Sagansay Minister/Author
Taylor, Michigan
