I read with great interest the recent string of comments and debate regarding the attempts of some to revise many of our historic hymns with tunes that are more palatable to the ears of our younger brethren. My reading of this debate only confirms a more deep-seated conviction that much of the debate within our denomination - and within much of conservative Christianity - regarding worship style, is focused not on the elements and standards for worship, but on music style!

As I have discussed this issue with many brethren, there was little debate over the inclusion of historic creeds; prayers of confession, repentance, adoration and sustenance; singing of psalm, hymns and spirituals songs (of course, the debate is over what constitutes a spiritual song); and the sacraments. The debate usually digresses to argument over the question of music style - in other words, are modern expressions of music, such as jazz, folk rock, modern rock, even so-called 'new age' music, acceptable forms of music style for worship.

I cannot help but wonder whether David faced the same issue when he would introduce new Psalms to the people of Israel, with new tunes that were "modern"? Wonder what Martin Luther was thinking as he sat in his favorite 'gasthaus' and heard a familiar beer song that became the tune to His "Ein Feste Burg"? Certainly Charles Wesley must have been completely uninformed about "modern" music for his time as he composed the many hymns we sing today - because, if the same arguments presented in our present day against "modern" music were applied to David, Luther and Wesley - we would not have Psalms and Hymns.

I love to sing from the Psalter, from the hymnbook and modern worship music! My ears are more attuned to late 20th century music style, but find many of the lyrics from late 20th century Christian music to be vapid and devoid of content. The prospect of updating the music style of the hymns I love is both invigorating - and gives me a sense of hope that there may come a day when I can sing "How Great Thou Art" with my children and not hear them say, "Dad, this is boring!"

Tom McClelland
Batavia, Ill.
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