When you hear someone bashing the hymns, you should take a good look at who is doing the talking.  Hating Christian hymns says something about a person’s life.  And it says more about them than the particular style of music they may prefer.

I must admit that I am easily attracted to much of the modern music.  Rock and rap, and many other kinds of music can get stuck in my head and just keep jangling there for days — even if I completely reject the message of the song.

My favorite music, however, tends to be classical.  The single greatest piece of music, for me, is Handel’s Messiah.  That one great work captures my soul every year, for about 3 or 4 months, at least.

And I love the old hymns.  A Mighty Fortress is Our God.  And Can It Be? It is Well With My Soul.  A Firm Foundation.  And a great many more than I can name here.

What draws me to these old hymns, and even to Handel’s Messiah, is not so much the style of music as the message itself.  Many of the old Christian hymns talk the straight talk of the Bible and the Gospel message.

I love the old hymns for the same reason I love Annie Herring’s Easter Song and the especially worshipful music of Rich Mullins.  The Spirit of God is moving in such music, speaking directly to the human condition and offering God’s answer to our needs.

There are many styles of music produced and enjoyed by Christian believers.  Some of it  is very modern, and some is very traditional in various ways.  All of it has a place that uplifts the Name and work of the Lord Jesus, pointing others to Him, and all of it has a place that expresses genuine worship.

The old hymns, like the Bible and the Gospel message itself, will always be a central part of true Christian life and worship, and of our witness to the world.  May we always be careful to keep our hearts and minds filled with God’s truth and love, and beware of any spirit that tries to draw us away from things that are pure and good and wholesome.