Hymns and Hymnody III

Historical and Theological Introductions, Volume 3: From the English West to the Global South

edited by Mark A. Lamport, Vernon M. Whaley and Benjamin K. Forrest

Book cover: Hymns and Hymnody III

Extent: 388 pages

Publisher: James Clarke & Co

Subjects: Music & Performing Arts, Religious Studies

Language: English

PDF (Published)

(October 2020)

ISBN: 9780227907238

Price: $36.00

The third volume of a three-volume introduction to hymns, their history, their role in the liturgy of the church and their theological significance.


Hymns and the music the church sings are tangible means of expressing worship. And while worship is one of, if not the, central functions of the church along with mission, service, education, justice, and compassion, and occupies a prime focus of our churches, a renewed sense of awareness to our theological presuppositions and cultural cues must be maintained to ensure a proper focus in worship. Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions is a 60-chapter, three-volume introductory textbook describing the most influential hymnists, liturgists, and musical movements of the church. This academically grounded resource evaluates both the historical and theological perspectives of the major hymnists and composers that have impacted the church over the course of twenty centuries. Volume 1 explores the early church and concludes with the Renaissance era hymnists. Volume 2 begins with the Reformation and extends to the eighteenth-century hymnists and liturgists. Volume 3 engages nineteenth century hymnists to the contemporary movements of the twenty-first century. Each chapter contains these five elements: historical background, theological perspectives communicated in their hymns/compositions, contribution to liturgy and worship, notable hymns, and bibliography. The mission of Hymns and Hymnody is (1) to provide biographical data on influential hymn writers for students and interested laypeople, and (2) to provide a theological analysis of what these composers have communicated in the theology of their hymns. We believe it is vital for those involved in leading the worship of the church to recognize that what they communicate is in fact theology. This latter aspect, we contend, is missing-yet important-in accessible formats for the current literature.

  • Edited by John Forest
  • Edited by Mark A. Lamport
  • Edited by Vernon M. Whaley

"A remarkable group of scholars provides a perceptive set of essays to orient students to the riches of Christian hymnody throughout the first twenty centuries of Christianity. What a remarkable testimony this is to the Spirit's work in and through composers and poets throughout the centuries." John D. Witvliet, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary