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Tozer's Thoughts on Hymnals and Hymns

Posted by Tkulp , 10 June 2017 · 895 views

Tozer has expressed something that I feel a deep need for in my life in his last three devotionals.

 

June 8, 9, 10

 

Just one historical note. Tozer passed away in 1963. That would be around 10 years before the beginning of the birth of the Charismatic Movement. The charismatic movement was the beginning of the end of the hymnals as we experience it today.

 

Youth for Christ was bringing out chorus books for Young people to use, simple short songs, as I was growing up.

 

This is the type of short songbook that Tozer would have to have been referring to.

 

I do not believe that Tozer, in his wildest dreams would have ever conceived of what most churches use today by means of the overhead.

 

According to his devotionals those dreams might have been nightmares not just dreams.

 

If he considered the choruses in the old chorus books empty, what we have today is far far more empty.

 

Talking about all of this reminded me of a sermon by a Christian and Missionary Alliance evangelist, Jack Stanley, talking about the chorus 'Jesus Loves Me' and how selfish it was; Because it focused on "me"! Along with other similar songs, which I do not remember.

 

I think this would have been Tozer's mind set also. In Jack's teaching "self" had to die and stay dead. Jesus was to be everything and the focus of everything! Jack Stanley actually wrote a very good book called, "Death to the Self Life".

 

The idea of singing or speaking positive words of confirmation over and over again in order to bring them into being, for my mind, began with Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller. One can only imagine what Tozer might have thought these type of songs and singing.

 

https://www.cmallian...ns/tozer?id=836

 

https://www.cmallian...ns/tozer?id=837

 

https://www.cmallian...ns/tozer?id=838



  • djr17011 likes this



This entire post is taken from a texting conversation that I had today with my pastor. He responded...  "...I have never thought about that for songs that say he loves us in that aspect"

 

This brought back childhood memories to which I commented,  "It bothered me as a child, hearing him talk about that song"   "It (Jesus Loves Me), was one of my favorite songs, that I sang over and over, in bed, and made up words to.  My added verses really troubled my mother because I would sing about dying and going to heaven and living with Jesus to the tune of and along with 'Jesus Loves Me"

 

This brought a comment, made by Jesus, to Peter, to my mind, as I thought about all the issues that Christians are having to deal with in the last month or so. The constant challenges requiring us to depend on and trust on our Heavenly Father and His faithfulness.

 

"Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, [Job 1:6-12; Amos 9:9] Luke 22:32 But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren."

 

May we remain not only pure, but faithful, keeping the oil abundantly full, as the 5 wise virgins did, as the bridegroom tarried!

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