From the Preface
Faith is meant to be sung, and hymns are for the singing of it. Some say that hymns are a greater influence on one’s personal theology even than sctripture or teaching or preaching or family or friends. I believe this is also true of the influence of hymns on our collective theology as part of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and especially the Reformed tradition. With psalms and chants, chorales and conons, spirituals and choruses, hymns and Appalation folk songs, we have sung our faith.
Words that are sung, especially if they are sung repeatedly and enthusiastically, work their way into our subconscious and shape usin subtle ways, as well as giving us words and phrases that come quickly to mind when we ponder or articulate our faith.
If this is true, then it matters what words we sing.
– Jane Parker Huber, Pentecost 1986
