Singing Church History

“In every generation, theological thought, priorities, and even controversies have been expressed in the texts of hymns. Reading and studying these texts gives us a fascinating glimpse into history. Singing them today connects us to timeless Christian truths, as well as to the great cloud of witnesses from the distant past to the present day. It is this connection that makes it so essential to keep a wide selection of hymns in every congregation's repertoire. This book by Paul Rorem is a great, relatively quick read for anyone interested in the intersections of church history, theology, and church music. Recommended for seminarians as well as congregational book groups and Christian education courses.”

Tim Getz

“A brilliant idea brilliantly done! There is no book we can hold in our hand that contains as much history as a hymnal. The story of each hymn in its particularity can teach us moments in church history that, together, give us the entire sweep of the past from Miriam to Lina Sandell. A great treasure and resource for congregations.”

Gracia Grindal

“Hymns, songs, and liturgy are formational to our Lutheran faith, marrying music, poetry, and theology. Building on the work of Erik Routley and Paul Westermeyer, Rorem explores hymns and songs, old and new, revealing the way they reflect their time, both historically and theologically, and also transcend it. This new resource is an excellent way to bring pastors, musicians, and lay folks together to teach, learn about, and appreciate our singing history as the church of Jesus Christ.”

Julie Grindle

“Paul Rorem applies his deep knowledge of church history and theology to hymns, and the result is an engagingly written brief history of the subject. Intended for lay audiences, it would make a good college or seminary textbook.”

Joseph Herl

“Hymnody has been referred to as a form of practical theology; the church's central beliefs about Jesus are expressed through what the church sings in worship. Singing Church History proves that point, introducing major events, theologies, and figures of Christian history through a breezy, eminently readable chronology of congregational song.”

Zebulon M. Highben

“This is an unusual book, since we often associate hymns with worship, what we do on Sundays--those powerful songs that connect us with special times and special people in our lives. But as Paul Rorem creatively explores, the hymns we sing in the present also have a significant past. And it is in coming to terms with that past that our singing in the present takes on new meaning.”

Robin A. Leaver

“Paul Rorem's delightful book explains how well hymns illustrate the entire history of Christianity, but also how often hymns have played an active part in shaping that history. With full attention to the importance of Scripture for hymnody through the ages, illuminating portraits of key hymn writers, carefully crafted discussion questions, helpful appendices with hymns identified for liturgical and doctrinal use, and (not least) many hymns printed for singing, the book is well suited for both church and classroom. It is keyed to Lutheran hymnals, but thoroughly ecumenical in its coverage and usefulness.”

Mark Noll

“Some people watch thrillers on TV. Even if they know the outcome, they enter into the event with an energy that puts them on the edge of their seat. Some people read mysteries and just can't put the book down. They keep that nightlight on through until they finish the next chapter... and then the next. Now Paul Rorem has given us a book that helps us to sing the faith that has been passed on to us in such a way that we not only come to love the church's history, but we can't wait to sing it again. Like the satisfaction we receive when we come to a final cadence of a robust hymn, Dr. Rorem has given us a joyous ride that will encourage us to keep singing with our congregations and our ecumenical neighbors, and with such singing, the life of church will flourish.”

Amy C. Schifrin

“This book scans the history of the Christian church by means of hymns. In the process, it provides theological and historical insights. It is a valuable resource for scholars, teachers, church musicians, and others who seek to understand the church and its song.”

Paul Westermeyer

“Paul Rorem tells the story of the Christian church through hymn texts dating from the first centuries of the church's existence to the present day. Simultaneously, he provides the reader with welcome insights to these texts. His historical and geographical scope is commendably broad, with welcome attention to early and medieval hymn texts as well as global hymnody from the mid-twentieth century to the present. He has that rare gift of writing in a highly accessible way while not glossing over sometimes difficult historical issues.”

Dr. Daniel Zager