Our Hymn Writers and Their Hymns
The people of God have always had cause to sing, and who has more reason to sing than the one who knows the Lord Jesus Christ, the joy of sin forgiven and the certainty of a life to come? Throughout the Old and New Testaments, believers marked God’s mighty acts of deliverance in song. Hymns based on the great themes of the Christian message have their own unique ministry to mind and heart, renewing faith and hope in God especially in days of spiritual decline and apathy. In this work, Faith Cook traces the development of the Christian hymn from the early period of the Christian Church to the present day. Biographical sketches of a number of our best-known writers from the past figure here. We are also introduced to some of the lesser-known poets such as Paul Gerhardt, Samuel Crossman and Samuel Medley. Love for God and the great truths of the gospel shine out through the words of these men and women of faith. More than this, we also discover how their individual personalities and circumstances are reflected in the hymns they wrote.We can only stand amazed as we read of the demonstration of their faith, often in the face of severe persecution and hardship, which has been so wonderfully expressed in verse. It is our privilege to have available to us the lives and work of such gifted writers to enhance our worship. Their words stir us up, both as congregations and personally, to express our thankfulness to God.One day the whole redeemed church of the Lord Jesus Christ will join in one great anthem of praise to his glory
Publisher: Evangelical Press
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781783971480
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Faith Cook was born in China, the daughter of OMF missionaries, and now lives in Derbyshire, England. She is married to Paul, who has served as a pastor to churches in Northallerton, Shepshed and Hull in England. They have five children and nine grandchildren
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As a song leader I've read several 'hymn stories' collections before and they tend to be 'history-lite' vignettes - sort of 'Chicken Soup' for hymns - that fit nicely into a busy Sunday worship service schedule. But there was little information about the hymn writer's life or times. Not this book! It is about hymn writers first and then covers their great hymns of the faith. This book excels above other books because of the depth and breadth of biographical and historical material included. Faith Cook is an excellent biographer with several books published and she has applied that skill here in her indepth portrayals of English hymnwriters such as Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley and John Newton. She takes us deep behind the hymn writer's pen to learn what made them tick. Her chapter on William Cowper, his struggles with depression and how John Newton mentored him through it, is alone worth the price. Now when I sing There is A Fountain Filled with Blood, I can understand so much more and it enriches my praise to God. The book also reminds us that great hymn writers were sacred poets who were dedicated to writing carefully chosen words of praise for our Lord and lived exceptional devotional lives for Christ. They were not pop musicians trying to fit lyrics as an after-thought into the latest musical groove. We would do well today to follow this proven formula. Highly recommended for every pastor, music minister and modern hymnwriter, for church and religious school libraries, and for personal reading by all who aspire to understand and enjoy the great English hymns within the actual context of the hymnwriters. Daniel Lucarini