I decided to feature this blog for a time, because the author (a member of the ever-growing Preus clan) has so much information about Lutheran hymn-writers. Look at the right column of that blog and read how many are featured.
Hymns are often confessions of faith written during a time of crisis. For that reason, the most significant verses are often butchered or omitted. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was changed by liberal editors so that people no long sang "offspring of the Virgin's womb." The new words, still found in many print editions, became "offspring of the chosen one." Methodists did that to their own founder's hymn.
Lutherans would never omit or change hymns by Lutherans, would they? WELS did that in spades, especially with doctrinal verses. Compare the great old hymns with the Christian Worship version. I guess CW was DUI - Designed Under the Influence.
The notorious Iver Johnson was another big asset on the CW team, in case they needed special hymns for The Counseling Shepherd, like "Embracable Ewe."
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Narrow-minded Lutheran has left a new comment on your post "Source for Lutheran Hymn Writer Biographies and Pi...":
"Now Praise We Christ the Holy One" (TLH #104)is missing from the LSB. Too bad, because it's a beautiful hymn. We wouldn't want too many hymns by Luther in a Lutheran hymnal.
Narrow-minded Lutheran has left a new comment on your post "Source for Lutheran Hymn Writer Biographies and Pi...":
I have to issue a semi-correction. TLH #104 didn't make the cut for the intermediate LW either.
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Daniel Baker has left a new comment on your post "Source for Lutheran Hymn Writer Biographies and Pi...":
The one that upsets me the most in CW is "What is the World to Me?" They took out the best verses of the hymn.
"Jerusalem the Golden" is also missing about 80 verses, but that started in TLH, so you can't really blame CW as much.
14 comments:
The one that upsets me the most in CW is "What is the World to Me?" They took out the best verses of the hymn.
Jerusalem the Golden is also missing about 80 verses, but that started in TLH, so you can't really blame CW as much.
"Now Praise We Christ the Holy One" (TLH #104)is missing from the LSB. Too bad, because it's a beautiful hymn. We wouldn't want too many hymns by Luther in a Lutheran hymnal.
When you take Confession and Absolution out of the liturgy (Morning Praise)...the sky is the limit!
I have to issue a semi-correction. TLH #104 didn't make the cut for the intermediate LW either.
LutherRocks,
The rite of Morning Praise (i.e. Matins) never had Confession and Absolution in it. In fact, the public rite of Confession and Absolution is a relatively "modern" addition to the Divine Service commonly used in Lutheran hymnals today.
I would say, "When Private Confession and Absolution fell into disuse in the Lutheran Church, the bottom fell out - or at least began to."
AC XI: "It is taught among us that private absolution should be retained and not allowed to fall into disuse."
AC XXV: "Confession (i.e. Private Confession) in the churches is not abolished among us;...on account of the great benefit of absolution, and because it is otherwise useful to the conscience, Confession (i.e. Private Confession) is retained among us."
Luther in the Large Catechism: "When I urge you to go to confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian.”
What happened?
Private confession would be covered well if pastors visited their members, but the lazy-bones will not do it. They are too busy attending conferences on how they will "grow their church."
Invented synodical work is also a time-burner and belly fattener.
Thank you, Predigtamt, for pointing out the decidedly unLutheran development of the Public Absolution in lieu of the private Sacrament of Repentance. Perhaps that's how UOJ developed. The pastor issues a blanket pardon on Sunday mornings, and admits everyone to the communion rail, without examining them. The next logical step is to conclude that everyone going must be forgiven of sin - ergo, we are forgiven apart from contact with the Means of Grace.
AC Article XXV: Of Confession.
1] Confession in the churches is not abolished among us; for it is not usual to give the body of the Lord, except to them that have been previously examined and absolved. ... Our people are taught that they should highly prize the absolution, as being the voice of God, 4] and pronounced by God's command. The power of the Keys is set forth in its beauty and they are reminded what great consolation it brings to anxious consciences, also, that God requires faith to believe such absolution as a voice sounding from heaven, and that such faith in Christ truly obtains and receives the forgiveness of sins.
GJ,
I have to disagree with you on:
"Private confession would be covered well if pastors visited their members,"
I just got home from a member visit. As valuable as member visits are, they are not the same, nor are they intended to be the same, as Private Confession. Do both - member visits and offer Private Confession -, but not at the same time. Private Confession will be offered at posted hours at my church during the Lenten season. No one will come, but that's OK. At least it's offered. Maybe it'll catch on after I'm dead.
Prediger, you misconstrued my statement. I did not say "it will be covered by pastoral visitation" as if that would be a substitute. Nor did I suggest merging the two, as you think I did.
In general, pastors are not visiting at all, so they are definitely not engaged in private confessional and absolution.
The worst offenders are the Shrinkers, but DP Buchholz says the other pastors are not any better. I cannot say, except I was taught to visit, especially the shut-ins and the hospitalized.
True pastoral work is 1) the worship service; 2) education; 3) visitation or confession.
If the pastors spent as much time on the three essentials as they did on politicking and meddling in other calls, new buildings would be going up everywhere.
GLJ, agreed.
- Predigtamt
Is my face red?
Not at all. Some people who post have a Black Belt in liturgical history.
Say hi to the Icha-widow for me.
"...have a Black Belt..." I love it! You crack me up!
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