I have to say this for the Internet versus a hardcover book - a blog like The Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog can display aspects of a hymn and associate it with others like it:
- Author
- All the verses in a large font
- Composer
- Theme
- Graphics.
The effect for mobile device users is to have The Lutheran Hymnal available at all times, often with the tune linked, sometimes with choirs singing it - or an alternate tune.
In the past, during the dark days of rationalism, hymns kept the faith alive.
If Lutherans have to lease Calvinist pop tunes and call it a hymnal, what does that do to the Faith? That shows the contempt of Lutheran leaders for their shrinking membership. At least the synods will go out with a lot of cash in the bank, like many a church with massive endowments, fat bank accounts, and no doctrine but the Devil's.
