Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions, Volume 1: From Asia Minor to Western Europe
Overview
Hymns and the music the church sings are tangible means of expressing worship. And while worship is one of, if not the, central functions of the church along with mission, service, education, justice, and compassion, and occupies a prime focus of our churches, a renewed sense of awareness to our theological presuppositions and cultural cues must be maintained to ensure a proper focus in worship.
Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions is a 60-chapter, three-volume introductory textbook describing the most influential hymnists, liturgists, and musical movements of the church. This academically grounded resource evaluates both the historical and theological perspectives of the major hymnists and composers that have impacted the church over the course of twenty centuries. Volume 1 explores the early church and concludes with the Renaissance era hymnists. Volume 2 begins with the Reformation and extends to the eighteenth-century hymnists and liturgists. Volume 3 engages nineteenth century hymnists to the contemporary movements of the twenty-first century.
Each chapter contains these five elements: historical background, theological perspectives communicated in their hymns/compositions, contribution to liturgy and worship, notable hymns, and bibliography. The mission of Hymns and Hymnody is (1) to provide biographical data on influential hymn writers for students and interested laypeople, and (2) to provide a theological analysis of what these composers have communicated in the theology of their hymns. We believe it is vital for those involved in leading the worship of the church to recognize that what they communicate is in fact theology. This latter aspect, we contend, is missing—yet important—in accessible formats for the current literature.
- Provides biographical data on influential hymn writers
- Presents a theological analysis of what these composers have communicated in the theology of their hymns
- Examines contributions to liturgy and worship
Part 1: First to Ninth Centuries
- Hymns and Creedal Worship in the New Testament
- Psalms in the Early Church
- Liturgical Patterns and Calendars
- Syriac Song in the Early Centuries
- Latin Song in the Early Centuries
- Byzantine Song in the Early Centuries: From Kantakion to the Canon
- Gregorian Chant through the Centuries
- Trinitarian Hymns in the East and West
- Insular and Carolingian Hymns
Part 2: Tenth to Thirteen Centuries
- Hymns, Sequences, and Tropes in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries
- Hymns and Sequences in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries
- Hymnody of the Western Religious Orders
- Music and Hymnody in the Late Byzantine Period
- Marian Hymnology in the East and West
Part 3: Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
- Western European Vernacular Song through the Early Renaissance
- Pre-Reformation German Vernacular Hymnody
- Guillaume Du Fay
- Josquin des Prez
- English Liturgical Composers in the Fifteenth Century
- Orthodox Song in post-Byzantine Times
Top Highlights
“The greatest contribution of the kontakia to liturgy and worship lies in the use of biblical exegesis in what is called a ‘homily in verse.’” (Page 74)
“The Church, in her duty to protect people from heresy, had to approve hymns which were used in worship” (Page 70)
“This investigation will focus upon the role of the Psalms in the early church, covering roughly the period from AD 30 (Pentecost) to AD 476 (fall of Rome).” (Page 16)
“how to relate traditional beliefs and practices to their understanding of Jesus, revealed as the Messiah” (Page 17)
“Sabbath keeping was related more to refraining from work and meeting together as a family unit” (Page 17)
- Spiro Antonopoulos
- Richard Barrett
- Kimberly Hope Belcher
- Susan Boynton
- Alexandra Buckle
- Stephanie A. Budwey
- R. Scott Connell
- Margot E. Fassler
- Peter Gavin Ferriby
- Tala Jarjour
- Heather Josselyn-Cranson
- Rachel McNellis
- Anthony Ruff
- Christopher Ruth
- Jim Samra
- Dimitrios Skrekas
- Paul Westermeyer
- Mel R. Wilhoit
A remarkable group of scholars provides a perceptive set of essays to orient students to the riches of Christian hymnody throughout the first twenty centuries of Christianity. What a remarkable testimony this is to the Spirit’s work in and through composers and poets throughout the centuries.
—John D. Witvliet, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary
- Title: Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions, Volume 1: From Asia Minor to Western Europe
- Editors: Mark A. Lamport, Benjamin K. Forrest, and Vernon M. Whaley
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Publication Date: 2019
- Pages: 366
- Resource Type: Introduction
- Topic: Hymnody
Mark A. Lamport (PhD, Michigan State University) is a graduate professor in the United States and Europe. He is coeditor of Encyclopedia of Christianity and the Global South (2 vols., 2018); Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation (2 vols., 2017); Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States (5 vols., Selected: “Notable Books of 2016”); Encyclopedia of Christian Education (3 vols., Winner, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Adult Books, 2016).
Benjamin K. Forrest (EdD, Liberty University) is Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean at the College of Arts and Sciences at Liberty University. He is coeditor of A Legacy of Preaching (2 vols., 2018), Biblical Leadership: Theology for Everyday Leaders (2017), and Biblical Worship: Theology unto the Glory of God (forthcoming).
Vernon M. Whaley (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Dean of the Liberty University School of Music. His publications include, Exalt His Name (2018), Worship Through the Ages (2012), The Great Commission to Worship (2011), and The Dynamics of Corporate Worship (2001).