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Category Archives: Music
Unhappy, but joyful
I’ve been studying the Psalms lately, the church’s original hymnal. I’ve also been studying Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony—the composition itself, and its reception history—particularly its “Ode to Joy” theme. So I’ve been thinking a lot about joy, and the struggle for … Continue reading
“Blest Be the Lamb” by Sojourn
Sojourn Community Church is a nondenominational multicampus church in Kentucky that has a thriving music ministry. Out of it has come nine albums, which can be purchased on the church’s music site, or wherever tunes are sold. Here’s just one … Continue reading
Posted in Music, Theology
Tagged agnus dei, behold the lamb of god, blest be the lamb lyrics
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Roundup: Eden in art, transgender children, public schooling, new Exodus movie, and John Williams parody
“Back to Eden: Contemporary Artists Wander the Garden”: This new exhibition at the Museum of Biblical Art in Manhattan is on view through September 28. It features eighteen artists, many of whom work in nontraditional media. “I Am Ryland: The … Continue reading
Roundup: “Blessed,” qualities of a good church, Methuselah, paternity leave, and sorrows like sea billows
Every once in a while on this blog I like to point out articles or videos that I consider neat or insightful. Here are a few I came across this week. “They Feel ‘Blessed’” by Jessica Bennett: “There’s nothing quite … Continue reading
Posted in Music, Theology, Uncategorized
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Stop making fun of “Kumbaya”
“Kumbaya” began as the sincere plea of a generation of African Americans for God’s intervention, but since entering popular culture in the 1950s it has become a metaphor of naive optimism or corny camaraderie and thus a term of derision, … Continue reading
Posted in Music
Tagged african american spirituals, geechee, gullah, kumbaya hippies, origin of kumbaya, what does kumbaya mean
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“O Christ, What Burdens Bowed Thy Head”
I love discovering old hymns of the faith and incorporating them into my private worship. I’ve realized only in the last few years how vast the trove is, and I’m grateful for contemporary musical artists who sift through it, dusting … Continue reading
A Brief History of Chocolate Jesus
Jesus and chocolate. I love both. So when I heard the song “Chocolate Jesus” for the first time last week (on a podcast about religious kitsch), it sounded yummy. The song is satirical, but as I listened to it, I … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Controversial Art, Jesus Kitsch, Music, Pop Culture
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“Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy”: A Song for Epiphany
Tomorrow (January 6) is the day on which the Western church commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. Here’s a song to pump you up for the celebration! It’s written by Lanny Wolfe and performed below by … Continue reading
Posted in Music
Tagged the star of bethlehem, the three magi, the wise men, when they saw the star
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“Mary’s Lullaby (Tonight You Are Mine)”
Text by Bertha Anderson Kleinman (1877-1971). Music by Wanda West Palmer (1930-). I discovered this song on The Lower Lights’ latest album, Sing Noel, which released this week. Their rendition, with three-part harmonies and guitar accompaniment, is lovely indeed: reverent, … Continue reading
“The Lord Is My Shepherd” (19th-century hymn)
This hymn, based on Psalm 23, was written by Scotsman James Montgomery (probably best known for his Christmas carol “Angels from the Realms of Glory”) and published in 1822. The above performance is by The Lower Lights (whom I’ve featured … Continue reading
Posted in Music
Tagged he leadeth me, james montgomery hymns, the good shepherd, the lower lights
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The Jesus Question 