I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

We were discussing with our worship team last Sunday the imperative need to sing “Battle songs” as a congregation and teach our kids these great songs of the faith. It struck me that one of the tragic consequences of the jettisoning of the physical Hymnbook in the place of the efficient “screen” is that entire genres and themes of the Christian life are lost. The most obvious is the loss of Eschatologically driven Victory and Battle songs, which the old hymn books contain and of which a good hymnbook includes many songs.

 

Why is this? Because the era during which hymn books were replaced (the 1990s-2000s) is also one in which the “spirit of the age” is the Therapeutic self. Therefore, songs of this age have a propensity towards the feelings, towards the here-and-now, towards the inward, and the churchs’ music, now only in the hands of the worship coordinator and the CCM playlist, is tragically out of balance (at best) having discarded manly, Christian warfare lyrics, for the new songs which reflect the moralistic, therapeutic deism dominant today.

 

Adding to this loss, I have come to realize that I have to look to another era for CCM music and even children’s Christian battle songs, which are rarely being produced today:

*I may never march in the infantry

*Onward Christian Soldiers

*The Battle Belongs to the Lord (Petra)

*Get on your knees and fight like a man (Petra)

*The Champion (Carman)

*Alien Youth (Skillet)

*anything by Stryper

 

Christianity is not an inward religion and Christ Jesus did not come to be our therapist. Christianity is Victory. Our life is a battle. Our march is toward the restoration of his Kingdom. The enemies are real. Our election and hope are secure. He is coming back.

To this end, and with the help of “Hymns of Grace”, we have made an effort over the past couple of years to re-introduce the great battle and victory songs weekly into corporate worship, songs which appeal to Creation mandate and our calling, as well as our sure hope. Our children love these manly, battle songs. Here are a few of the many offerings from our hymnal.

*A Mighty Fortress

*When Trials Come

*A Mighty Fortress

*When Trials Come

*For all the Saints

*Am I a Soldier of the Cross

*Rise Up, O Men of God

*Crown Him with Many Crowns

*All Glory, Laud, and Honor

*Come thou, Almighty King

*Lead On, O King Eternal

*Jesus Shall Reign

*O Church Arise

*Onward March, All Conquering Jesus

*Soldiers of Christ, Arise

*Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers!

*Thine is the Glory

*Ye Servants of God

 

Here is my application challenge: Would it not be worth investing a few dollars to reintroduce a physical hymn book back into your congregation, with a short and long-term view to the discipleship of the church?