on singing that God forsaken "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in church today.
I Don't Plan.......
- Thread starter Baptist City Holdout
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May I ask why?
Is it the "anti southern, pro abolition" sentiment it invoked at the original writing or is it the Unitarian beliefs of the author? Of course, you may just think it's a stupid song.
I have reviewed it for it's scriptural merit and I don't have any big problems. It invokes imagery of a holy and just God returning to judge the Earth with his saints worshiping him. It also reminds us that Christ died for us and we should be willing to die for others. I am not saying that it can't be "nitpicked" for errors in theology, but I don't expect all hymns to be "purified 7 times." I've never sung the song (or know of anyone who sang it) who had there beliefs changed by it.
Is it the "anti southern, pro abolition" sentiment it invoked at the original writing or is it the Unitarian beliefs of the author? Of course, you may just think it's a stupid song.
I have reviewed it for it's scriptural merit and I don't have any big problems. It invokes imagery of a holy and just God returning to judge the Earth with his saints worshiping him. It also reminds us that Christ died for us and we should be willing to die for others. I am not saying that it can't be "nitpicked" for errors in theology, but I don't expect all hymns to be "purified 7 times." I've never sung the song (or know of anyone who sang it) who had there beliefs changed by it.
I live up North but was born down South. However as I I grew up in the 70's and continuing today it is accepted in the repitoire.
My aversion does have to do with the author and the equation of the national cause with the spiritual.
My aversion does have to do with the author and the equation of the national cause with the spiritual.
If we take the song in a spiritual interpretation, why only sing it on patriotic occasions.
Baptist City Holdout said:
The same reason we sing "He Lives" on Easter, "Joy to the World" on Christmas, "We Gather Together" on Thanksgiving, and "A Volunteer for Jesus" right before Tennessee plays Florida. It is considered a Patriotic song and so we sing it during those occassions. You can sing "Hark the Herals Angels Sing" in August...but it just seems a little out of place.
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cpizzle said:
Because the song is a lie.
Because of the reasons the author wrote it.
Because of who the author was.
Because it was written to justify that God was pleased with Americans killing Americans.
Glory, Glory Hallelujah!
At least when I grew up in the South, we sang "He Lives" all year round.
Baptist City Holdout said:
I guess I was thinking of "Lo, in the Grave He Lay." The one where we joyfully sing "Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o're his foes...."