Such a beautiful modern hymn from this milenium, regardless of who is singing it...Newsboys, Owl City, or the original hymn from Keith Getty & Stuart Townend (2001.) I love church music of all kinds: hymns, contemporary praise, etc. I think the value of the old hymns is more in the historical and educational value. The modern praise choruses tend to be more suitable for worship and are more accessable for the masses of unchurched, where the old hymns come across as a Bible lesson in song, and can serve to carry us through Spiritual pain, as heart balm. I see the value of educating our children about the history of Christian music, even if they, or we, are not musically gifted. Music, after all, is a gift for even those of us whose only instrument skills are the CD Player and mp3.
I think the biggest error Christians make is in expecting the "Church" to do the entire work of evangelism, ministry, and education; both to the lost and to our children. It's like in school, where we send our children to be taught, but we understand hopefully that we are expected to oversee homework ourselves. Christian Education starts at home. Whether it be Christian Musical History, Bible memorization, Study, Prayer, or Bible reading, nothing will be caught that is not taught. This is not to negate the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals who are truly taught by their relationship with Christ and develop a Spiritual foundation in God's Word without people to teach them. It does happen. But, do you want to wait and see, when your kids are grown, if they will be one of those few who teach themselves about Christ? I didn't think so.
I think the biggest error Christians make is in expecting the "Church" to do the entire work of evangelism, ministry, and education; both to the lost and to our children. It's like in school, where we send our children to be taught, but we understand hopefully that we are expected to oversee homework ourselves. Christian Education starts at home. Whether it be Christian Musical History, Bible memorization, Study, Prayer, or Bible reading, nothing will be caught that is not taught. This is not to negate the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals who are truly taught by their relationship with Christ and develop a Spiritual foundation in God's Word without people to teach them. It does happen. But, do you want to wait and see, when your kids are grown, if they will be one of those few who teach themselves about Christ? I didn't think so.
