circa 1775: John Newton (1725-1807), English clergyman, hymn-writer and abolitionist.
As a young sailor John Newton was prone to drunkenness, profanity, and myriad forms of irresponsible behavior. He converted to Christianity in his mid-twenties yet accepted a position as captain of a slave ship, sometimes conducting Bible studies onboard. After leaving the slave trade he became a pre-eminent figure in the Anglican Church, well known for his sermons, letters, and over two hundred hymns, including the venerable ‘Amazing Grace.’ In later years he became a prominent figure in the British abolitionist movement and a powerful weapon in the fight that would end the slave trade and, ultimately, slavery itself in the British Empire.
Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell are two of the most iconic theatre and film productions of the past fifty years that are based on the life and death of Jesus Christ. They portray a Christ that resonated with the culture at the time, and exposed two very different views of the Messiah, views that are as relevant today as they were when first produced. Continue reading Jesus Christ, Timeless Music Star→
The writers and stories behind ten of our most beloved and influential hymns.
Contestant sings hymns on way to winning The Voice 2015 season
All Creatures of Our God and King – St. Francis of Assisi A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – Martin Luther Doxology (Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow) — Thomas Ken Christ the Lord is Risen Today — Charles Wesley Amazing Grace – John Newton Battle Hymn of the Republic – Julia Ward Howe Blessed Assurance – Fanny Crosby Jesus Loves Me — Anna B. Warner Great Is Thy Faithfulness — Thomas O. Chisolm Take My Hand, Precious Lord — Thomas Dorsey
From St. Francis of Assisi’s, ‘All Creatures of Our God and King’, to Thomas Dorsey’s ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’, hymns written to the glory of God have encouraged, sustained and uplifted people of faith for hundreds of years. Here are the stories and writers behind ten of the most beloved and influential hymns written for the glorification of Jesus Christ.
All Creatures of Our God and King Words: St. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226 English translation: Henry Draper, 1855-1933 Music: From a German hymnal in 1623, the Geistliche Kirchengesang
All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon with softer gleam! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
St. Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni Bernardone into a wealthy family in 1282. After serving as a soldier and engaging in behaviors and indiscretions that ultimately proved unrewarding, he experienced a spiritual awakening, and dedicated his life to serve Jesus Christ. He renounced his father’s wealth, and proceeded to live out in the open, in nature, if you will, dressed in rags, working for, and sometimes even begging for food. [1] A group of young men joined Francis. They traveled the countryside preaching the Gospel. St. Francis would go on to found the Franciscan Order of Friars. A female follower created the ‘Poor Clare’ order of nuns.
“Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan.”
Amid a driving rain Air Force One touched down in Havana, Cuba on the afternoon of Sunday, March 20, 2016. The President and the First Family descended the steps under a family of stiff black umbrellas, and TV reporters and pundits struggled to find a metaphor that fit the historic occasion. Finally one commentator, steel in the voice, proclaimed. ‘A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall’—there you have it, a reference to Dylan’s song from 1963. Continue reading Bob Dylan and the Gospel Songs→
