Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 960 pages
• Published by: Northwestern Publishing House June 1993
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0810004224
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0810004221
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 2.3 pounds

Reader Reviews
This innocuous, maroon-covered charmer was published specifically to meet the needs of the Milwaukee-headquartered Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a smallish denomination only about five percent the membership of the two largest American Lutheran affiliations combined. It doesn't pass the politically-correct acid-test of other 1990s hymnals (Did it omit "Onward, Christian Soldiers"? Did it include "Spirit Song"?). No, it doesn't have "Spirit Song." Not even "How Great Thou Art," which seems pretty shocking for a hymn which was translated from Swedish in the Fifties and has been showing up, translated, into all kinds of American hymnals since then--especially those with a heavy German/Scandinavian heritage close kin to the WELS denomination's *Christian Worship.* But really--that's beside the point. To this reviewer it isn't a matter of what it lacks; there are plenty of middle-of-the-road hymnals out there but this one is relevant and appropriate to WELS members and clergy. The volume contains catechisms, confessions, creeds and service liturgies like the Eucharist. It's chock-full of hymns from Northern Germany and Scandinavia and considered as a bearer of heritage is certainly no more provincial than the current (1982) Episcopal hymnal, which bears even fewer of the best-known American hymns in favor of multiple versions of English tunes. And for the rest of us, the more I look at the Hymnal, the more intriguing it can be. *Christian Worship* is a non-compromiser in its stance on its specifically Lutheran viewpoint on theology. By means such as fresher (and frequently more contemporary and accurate) translations from the German or minor alternative phrasing to text, the reader/singer will encounter subtle nuances more in accord with Martin Luther's doctrine of "Salvation Through Grace by Faith" specifcally that demonstrate that the process of salvation is, under Lutheran doctrine, less automatic and autonomous ("cheap grace" is the slur term) than were often seen to be the case in later Wesleyan/Methodist interpretations of salvation. For example, the last line of verse one of "Rock of Ages" ends in most mainline hymnals with "Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure." The WELS version leaves no doubt that salvation is not something like a consumer good that can be ordered: "Be of sin . . . Cleanse me from its guilt and power." At this point I must say that other hymnals from other similarly-sized Lutheran denominations and affiliations in the Upper Midwest have their own take (or poetic license, if that metaphor isn't too presumptuous) in terms of theological guidance. For example, what is in the United Methodist Hymnal's version of "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" as "Let us find that second rest," winds up in the *Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary* from Mankato, MN as "Let us find Thy promised rest." (At this point, I've exhausted my theological knowledge ;) .) Here's where it must be said that using alternate translations or even scrapping traditional in favor of alternative lyrics (if properly indicated as such) is no sin, not legal, intellectual or theological. These are matters of very old expressions of faith, not copyrighted Rogers & Hammerstein tunes. The public domain rules the old, old hymns. The bound volume itself is very, well stitched, very "flippable" and easy to use, and with all the best back-of-the-book reference techniques. Pity it seems not to be on acid-free paper or else it would last a lot longer than its 62-year-old parent. Nonetheless, a bargain. If WELS members are more than pleased with the 1993 hymnal, from what I know I quite agree. From my own situation and all mental trifling aside, I can think of situations in which congregations outside the fold might want to use such a dignified hymnal. (An appreciation of Lutheranic or Scandianavian/ German heritage certainly helps, of course.) Such a close-bound congregation might see the WELS hymnal as preferable to the type of hymnal catering to the burgeoning "unihymnals" deliberately marketed toward more rootless, homogenized or surburban fellowships--there are tradeoffs pro and con, of course. Not a Nordic? Anyone with an interest in general liturgy or musicology would do well to take a look at the unique contributions of style, liturgics, heritage and outlook found in this handsome, distinctive and well-wrought tome. ... .