Reviewed Book: Hobbs, R Gerald. Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to the Hymn Book (1971). Winfield, BC: Wood Lake Books, [19--?]

Powell, Enid R.

English

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 14
Issue 1 Essays: Historical and Theological Article 24
5-1-1988
Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to the
Hymn Book (1971)
Enid R. Powell
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Powell, Enid R. (1988) "Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to the Hymn Book (1971)," Consensus: Vol. 14 : Iss. 1 , Article 24.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol14/iss1/24
Book Reviews 139
sentences”. Generally he is closer to the former, except for the last entry
which is usually of a “let us” variety urging some response to the text.
It is in fact those last entries to his series of “moves” which get to be
annoying because they are invariably of a hortatory nature. A “let us. . . ”
functions exactly like a “must” or an “ought” or a “should”, and thus each
set of moves ends up in “law” language. Such language does not create faith
nor obedience; it vitiates gospel and promise. Ignore these last entries.
Biddle encourages users of the workbook to read Buttrick and other
homileticians. I would second that. I suspect that without an understand-
ing of how “moves” are designed and of the “logic” which links them into a
coherent sequence, Biddle’s series of “Homiletical Moves” will become not
only so many “points” (which are anathema to Buttrick), but will encour-
age a dull rehearsal of the text with an hortatory moral tacked on at the
end.
Nevertheless, users will certainly benefit from the exegetical commen-
tary and other format features, and gain significant help from Biddle’s brief
overview of the lectionaries, his thoughts about becoming more creative in
preaching, his introduction to the liturgical seasons, and his bibliography
of preaching and worship resources.
Eduard R. Riegert
Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
Songs For A Gospel People
Edited by R. Gerald Hobbs
Winfield, British Columbia: Wood Lake Books, 1987
A new thoroughly singable collection of hymns old and new has been
compiled to reflect the diversity and heritage of the Christian church in to-
day’s world. Published under the auspices of the United Church of Canada,
as a supplement to their Hymnal (1930) and The Hymn Book (1971), the
hymnody attempts to bear
the mark of today’s church. It is ecumenical, drawing from all
members of the family of God throughout the world. It is pluralist,
recognizing that in the church we are a mixed community, and that
our words and musical styles need to reflect that diversity. It is
biblical and rooted in our church’s story, because being faithful in
the great issues of justice and peace in our world means drawing
nourishment from our past. It is inclusive, imaging and nurturing
the wholeness of the body of Christ (foreword).
A public request for new Canadian hymns by the editorial committee
presented them with the incredible task of sorting through 3,000 submis-
sions. Only 12 of these are included in the book, but with selections from
140 Consensus
Fred Kaan, Jim Strathdee, Jim Manley and Ron Klusmeier, plus songs
from differing faith backgrounds, an excellent offering of current hymnody
is presented.
The Biblical Index, besides being of great assistance in worship prepa-
ration, reflects the faithfilled attention given to an authentic reflection of
our Christian legacy. The texts of the hymns give particular attention to
the current concerns for more extensive imagery for God, and for responses
that are genuine in today’s church. Heritage hymns such as “All people
that on Earth Do Dwell” and “O For a Thousand Tongues” have gained a
sensitive renewal.
The tunes are generally rendered in four-part harmony, with an easy
melody line and the words between the staves. The musical needs of the
small choirs and the limited resources of many small churches have been
addressed. Family tunes and new words for old songs along with the gener-
ous inclusion of “old” favourites such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great
Thou Art”, create a medium for enthusizistic singing.
There will be many reactions to the song book. Organists will miss a
metrical index and a listing of sources. I anticipated more new hymns, but
having reflected on the new renditions of many old hymns, I appreciate this
resource and am grateful for its being published. It can be used extensively
as an agent for integrating our worship, for allowing people of all persuasions
to have a voice; the traditional and the liberated, the conservative and the
feminist. I pray that it will be compassionately received and people will be
drawn to the potential newmess it presents.
Enid R. Powell
Cambridge, Ontario
Counseling and the Search for Meaning
Paul R. Welter
Waco, Texas: Word Books
I approached this volume with considerable anticipation. Questions of
meaning are often present when a person seeks out a pastor or counselor.
Society, including psychologists and psychiatrists, offers a variety of answers
to questions of meaning: wealth, security, power, self-actualization, becom-
ing more effectively and comfortably focused on meeting our own needs,
and so forth. The Christian church also has a set of visions concerning
meaning. Those visions often stand in some conflict with societal visions.
The pastor or other Christian counselor has the opportunity to play
a special role in helping troubled persons work through issues of mean-
ing. Indeed, pastors can talk about the Gospel and its implications for


Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to the Hymn Book (1971)

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 14Issue 1 Essays: Historical and Theological Article 245-1-1988Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to theHymn Book (1971)Enid R. PowellFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationPowell, Enid R. (1988) "Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to the Hymn Book (1971)," Consensus: Vol. 14 : Iss. 1 , Article 24.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol14/iss1/24Book Reviews 139sentences”. Generally he is closer to the former, except for the last entrywhich is usually of a “let us” variety urging some response to the text.It is in fact those last entries to his series of “moves” which get to beannoying because they are invariably of a hortatory nature. A “let us. . . ”functions exactly like a “must” or an “ought” or a “should”, and thus eachset of moves ends up in “law” language. Such language does not create faithnor obedience; it vitiates gospel and promise. Ignore these last entries.Biddle encourages users of the workbook to read Buttrick and otherhomileticians. I would second that. I suspect that without an understand-ing of how “moves” are designed and of the “logic” which links them into acoherent sequence, Biddle’s series of “Homiletical Moves” will become notonly so many “points” (which are anathema to Buttrick), but will encour-age a dull rehearsal of the text with an hortatory moral tacked on at theend.Nevertheless, users will certainly benefit from the exegetical commen-tary and other format features, and gain significant help from Biddle’s briefoverview of the lectionaries, his thoughts about becoming more creative inpreaching, his introduction to the liturgical seasons, and his bibliographyof preaching and worship resources.Eduard R. RiegertWaterloo Lutheran SeminarySongs For A Gospel PeopleEdited by R. Gerald HobbsWinfield, British Columbia: Wood Lake Books, 1987A new thoroughly singable collection of hymns old and new has beencompiled to reflect the diversity and heritage of the Christian church in to-day’s world. Published under the auspices of the United Church of Canada,as a supplement to their Hymnal (1930) and The Hymn Book (1971), thehymnody attempts to bearthe mark of today’s church. It is ecumenical, drawing from allmembers of the family of God throughout the world. It is pluralist,recognizing that in the church we are a mixed community, and thatour words and musical styles need to reflect that diversity. It isbiblical and rooted in our church’s story, because being faithful inthe great issues of justice and peace in our world means drawingnourishment from our past. It is inclusive, imaging and nurturingthe wholeness of the body of Christ (foreword).A public request for new Canadian hymns by the editorial committeepresented them with the incredible task of sorting through 3,000 submis-sions. Only 12 of these are included in the book, but with selections from140 ConsensusFred Kaan, Jim Strathdee, Jim Manley and Ron Klusmeier, plus songsfrom differing faith backgrounds, an excellent offering of current hymnodyis presented.The Biblical Index, besides being of great assistance in worship prepa-ration, reflects the faithfilled attention given to an authentic reflection ofour Christian legacy. The texts of the hymns give particular attention tothe current concerns for more extensive imagery for God, and for responsesthat are genuine in today’s church. Heritage hymns such as “All peoplethat on Earth Do Dwell” and “O For a Thousand Tongues” have gained asensitive renewal.The tunes are generally rendered in four-part harmony, with an easymelody line and the words between the staves. The musical needs of thesmall choirs and the limited resources of many small churches have beenaddressed. Family tunes and new words for old songs along with the gener-ous inclusion of “old” favourites such as “Amazing Grace” and “How GreatThou Art”, create a medium for enthusizistic singing.There will be many reactions to the song book. Organists will miss ametrical index and a listing of sources. I anticipated more new hymns, buthaving reflected on the new renditions of many old hymns, I appreciate thisresource and am grateful for its being published. It can be used extensivelyas an agent for integrating our worship, for allowing people of all persuasionsto have a voice; the traditional and the liberated, the conservative and thefeminist. I pray that it will be compassionately received and people will bedrawn to the potential newmess it presents.Enid R. PowellCambridge, OntarioCounseling and the Search for MeaningPaul R. WelterWaco, Texas: Word BooksI approached this volume with considerable anticipation. Questions ofmeaning are often present when a person seeks out a pastor or counselor.Society, including psychologists and psychiatrists, offers a variety of answersto questions of meaning: wealth, security, power, self-actualization, becom-ing more effectively and comfortably focused on meeting our own needs,and so forth. The Christian church also has a set of visions concerningmeaning. Those visions often stand in some conflict with societal visions.The pastor or other Christian counselor has the opportunity to playa special role in helping troubled persons work through issues of mean-ing. Indeed, pastors can talk about the Gospel and its implications for

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Songs for a Gospel People: A Supplement to the Hymn Book (1971)

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