Is there a problem with “How Great Thou Art?
Are the words and melody of “How Firm a Foundation” now longer true and beautiful? Must we set aside the great hymns of the faith and replace them with “Who put the bop in the Bible shee-bop shee bop?” And “Ram-a-lam-a-ding-dung for Jesus.” Now that we have “Christian” rock, rap, reggae, and jazz, can “Christian” Budweiser be far behind? Must “What a Friend We have in Jesus” be replaced with “The Dude upstairs is so cool, doo whoppa, doo whoppa doo?” And now that we have “Christian” heavy metal, acid and (get this) Christian New Age, can “Christian” Marlboro’s wrapped in New Testament parchment be far behind.? And what of the people who write these new songs? Once upon a time, hymns were written only by the greatest of composers and the most devout of Christians. Compare that with Michael W. Smith, who, “at the same time he was penning gospel songs, he was also using marijuana, LSD and Cocaine.” (Wall Street journal, 9-11-91, page A-11) “I’m a singer, not a preacher…I’m not looking t
