REBIRTH: Singing Death, Singing Life

Martin Seltz, Sponsor

Just as hymn texts reflect church history, so a little history can enrich hymn singing. Born of church talks and hymn sings, Paul Rorem’s little book, Singing Church History: Introducing the Christian Story through Hymn Texts (Fortress, 2024), is meant to support congregational learning and singing. It features texts of familiar hymns to introduce major movements and theologians, from the biblical songs through numerous early and medieval examples to the Reformation and modern times including the United States and World Christianity. The sharing of hymns across eras and denominations is emphasized as a durable grassroots form of ecumenical harmony. Rorem and Martin Tel will share their classroom experience with the book at Princeton Seminary as a resource for church musicians, teachers, and pastors.