Singing Out of the Same Hymnal?

Paleo Protestant Pudcast

At the end of the previous recording, co-hosts, Korey Maas (Lutheran), Miles Smith (Anglican), and D. G. Hart (Presbyterian) were talking about expectations for being a good Anglican, Lutheran, or Presbyterian. One consideration not often in the equation is singing in worship. When a church member not only shows up for the service, but pulls out the hymnal and sings along with the rest of the saints the song selected by the pastor or priest, is he or she making any kind of show of devotion? The answer "yes" is plausible if only because a worshiper could easily not sing and no one would object.

This time the interlocutors get personal and talk about which hymns and Psalms are their favorites along the way to talking about the Anglican, Lutheran, and Presbyterian traditions of congregational singing. Listeners may be surprised to hear about the importance of Psalm singing, the relatively recent innovations of introducing hymns, and the difference that speaking German or English makes to a Protestant communion. One book about the history of hymnody in North America mentioned was Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land.

Follow Dr. Smith and Dr. Hart on Twitter. Dr. Maas is hopeless.

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