To many of our worship songs today appeal primarily to our emotions, and while that is not bad, it is not enough: it will not sustain us when our emotions change, as they inevitably will in the course of every day life.

So many songs articulate primarily how we feel about God and what we will do for Him. That’s nice but we need songs that articulate the truths of God’s holiness, our own sinfulness and need, of His love for all of us and His merciful and compassionate provision for our need, and of His might and power and ultimate victory.

Video: Orchester der Gemeinde Gottes, Eppingen  / Orchestra of the Church of God in Eppingen, Germany

At the beginning of this year’s Advent season here is a classic Advent hymn, performed by musicians from Sovereign Grace Music. Somehow these classic hymns appeal to me more than most contemporary worship choruses.

Zu Beginn dieser Adventzeit gibt es hier ein klassisches Adventlied, aufgeführt von Musikern von Sovereign Grace Music. Irgendwie sprechen mich diese klassischen Kirchenlieder mehr an, als die meisten modernen Worship-Lieder.

Der englische Text ist von Sovereign Grace Music adaptiert, der deutsche Text ist der traditionelle Text, deshalb sind die Strophen leicht unterschiedlich.

The English lyrics have been slightly adapted by Sovereign Grace Music, while the German lyrics are the traditional version. Hence the slight differences.

Reading the biography of Bruderhof founder Eberhard Arnold, “Against the Wind”. (more…)

In First Things, Dale Coulter comments on the discussion about Amy Coney Barretts’ nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

I am not sure anyone is going to heed this, but these are valid thoughts. (more…)

Written in an American context, but it is a warning we should heed in Europe as well – whether it be Brexiteers ascribing sinister motives to EU officials, Remainers dehumanizing Brexiteers, Hungarian “patriots” denouncing George Soros, the extreme right in Germany and Austria railing against refugees, (more…)

On Scot McKnight‘s Jesus Creed blog David Fitch pushes back against an article by Tim Keller on on Justice. Fitch agrees with Keller that there is no universal standard of justice on which all Americans agree, (more…)

There is a post making the rounds on Facebook, being shared by concerned and well-meaning Christians, which claims that Harper-Collins owns the rights to the NIV and ESV and is intentionally altering the text of the Bible. (more…)

CNN reports that Jerry Falwell Jr. has taken an indefinite leave of absence from Liberty University, at the request of the university board’s executive committee.

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