For my first J-term class, I took a one-week intensive this week, Lutheran Hymnody. I learned so much and am grateful for the class. Dr. Wengert and Mark Mummert co-taught it, and we also heard from Martin Seltz, lead publisher of the ELW. It was amazing to be taught by the best, on topics they are so passionate about and which are practical and important to everyone. There was also a whole lot of me singing the wrong notes/off key, so I apologize to those who sat near me. I realized many things that I did not know and many I have yet to learn (does that make sense?). Also, randomly, I am in the process of getting a CPE site - fingers crossed it works out for the best! (anyway,) Tonight we had due a short essay post on "what is a Lutheran hymn?" Here is mine:
In contemplating throughout the week, I realized that a Lutheran hymns are powerful and meaningful because they speak two languages fluently to the core of who we are and are, as a result, undeniably transformative.
First, Lutheran hymns speak the language of a theological text, of what we believe and how we proclaim it to be true and active in our context today. This language details our identity as created and loved totally by God, sustained by the Holy Spirit, and centered in Christ crucified and risen. This “Lutheran” language necessarily flows from the Word of God, in scripture and the human experience of Christ as living Word in our lives. To proclaim and speak this Lutheran language, it must be corporate in origin – that we as the body of Christ sing together, responding to and proclaiming the gospel. But this language of theology we also take individually from our corporate song, out the doors of our churches, because we are comfortable with it and it becomes a part of our words of faith – to teach, care, explain, support, and renew our relationships and actions as Lutheran Christians. Lutheran hymns are even Lutheran in their paradox, of being personal as to resonate with our most core intimate beliefs, but being accessible, corporate, and inclusive, inviting all into faith.
Second, a Lutheran hymn speaks the language of music. The language of music is powerful and evocative. A hymn is a poetic text centered in faith set in a musical melody and used to worship God. Hymns have power to evoke deep emotions, memories, and experiences and become so ingrained in a people as to seem permanently cemented by tradition. Yet hymns and their music are a living part of the people, and they are subject to actually change tradition and create new interpretations, especially with good teaching. The music of a hymn shapes and interprets the context in which it is used, and is hence of parallel importance to preaching in a meaningful liturgy.
An objectively constructed definition of a Lutheran hymn will never fit perfectly. As each person sings, the words take on meaning and life, breathing through the people of faith. Just as languages are inextricably tied to and ever-changing by the dialect and context of a people, so are the theology and music of songs. Lutheranism calls us to be inclusive; one ought not be born or act in a certain tradition, status, or mode to be Lutheran, thus neither are our hymns exclusive in this way. We retain a strong heritage as Lutherans, but as the body of Christ grows in new ways, so we seek to preach the gospel in song from honest, local cultural contexts. The body of Lutheran hymnody will and ought ever be up for revision, re-interpretation, and careful thought, as we are called by the songs we love and the beliefs we hold centrally to worship our God in a way that proclaims God honestly, living in our lives today.
