When you HAVE to keep your vow of silence...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Singing the Apostles Creed: The English Years
The Apostles Creed, along with the Athanasian Creed, are unique to the Western Christian tradition. Our brothers in the East have adopted only the Nicene Creed.
The Apostles Creed has traditionally been the Baptismal Creed. We confess it as our own faith at our baptism. For infant baptisms, this faith is imparted through the Word connected to the water, and sponsors confess it on behalf of the children. As the children mature, they then confess this faith as their own at their confirmation.
Here are some young people confessing their faith in the words of the Apostles Creed. Remember, the use of "holy catholic church" refers to the church of all times and all places and not that particular denomination with a pontiff in Rome.
In the world of Contemporary Christian Music, this creed has been adopted by several artists and set to music. For Petra and Rich Mullins, the creed has been paraphrased and a refrain has been added. The entirety of the lyrics to the Petra setting can be found here. The refrain is below. The video is in true 80's Contemporary Christian retro.
In the Petra refrain, they capture the true "catholicity" of the creed. This is the faith that has endured through the ages. This is the faith that has survived centuries of persecution. This faith, the faith of the entire church, the faith of the saints and martyrs old and new, this faith is my faith.
Rich Mullins takes a different approach to the refrain. The entirety of the lyrics will roll across the video. The refrain is below. This is a true youtube video, where an individual takes an existing recording and places visuals and text with it.
Where Petra connects the creed with the universal church, Rich Mullins makes it personal. The creed is not a man-made device. It is a confession of biblical teachings. As we confess this creed we confess biblical truths. As with any biblical teaching, it shapes who we are. Our faith grows because we recite that which the Bible teaches. Mullins' statement, "I did not make it/no it is making me/it is the very truth of God/and not the invention of any man," is an affirmation of the solid biblical teachings that are proclaimed in the creed and the affect these teachings have on our lives. Lutherans in particular confess this creed as "the correct exposition of the Word of God."
One pastor speaks of the creeds in these terms: when we say we believe what the Bible says, how do express the Bible in a concise manner? The creeds offer us a vehicle to do this.
The creeds are to be confessed with confidence and joy! Here is a group of Tongan youth confessing the Apostles Creed. They are using the ICET translation. While there are a few translation issues (and one BIG translation issue - see previous post) it is wonderful to see the holy catholic faith, the faith of all times and all places, the faith expressed in the Bible, confessed by these children.
The Apostles Creed has traditionally been the Baptismal Creed. We confess it as our own faith at our baptism. For infant baptisms, this faith is imparted through the Word connected to the water, and sponsors confess it on behalf of the children. As the children mature, they then confess this faith as their own at their confirmation.
Here are some young people confessing their faith in the words of the Apostles Creed. Remember, the use of "holy catholic church" refers to the church of all times and all places and not that particular denomination with a pontiff in Rome.
In the world of Contemporary Christian Music, this creed has been adopted by several artists and set to music. For Petra and Rich Mullins, the creed has been paraphrased and a refrain has been added. The entirety of the lyrics to the Petra setting can be found here. The refrain is below. The video is in true 80's Contemporary Christian retro.
This is my creed - the witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted, it will last
And I will hold steadfast to this creed
In the Petra refrain, they capture the true "catholicity" of the creed. This is the faith that has endured through the ages. This is the faith that has survived centuries of persecution. This faith, the faith of the entire church, the faith of the saints and martyrs old and new, this faith is my faith.
Rich Mullins takes a different approach to the refrain. The entirety of the lyrics will roll across the video. The refrain is below. This is a true youtube video, where an individual takes an existing recording and places visuals and text with it.
And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it
No it is making me
It is the very truth of God
And not the invention of any man
Where Petra connects the creed with the universal church, Rich Mullins makes it personal. The creed is not a man-made device. It is a confession of biblical teachings. As we confess this creed we confess biblical truths. As with any biblical teaching, it shapes who we are. Our faith grows because we recite that which the Bible teaches. Mullins' statement, "I did not make it/no it is making me/it is the very truth of God/and not the invention of any man," is an affirmation of the solid biblical teachings that are proclaimed in the creed and the affect these teachings have on our lives. Lutherans in particular confess this creed as "the correct exposition of the Word of God."
One pastor speaks of the creeds in these terms: when we say we believe what the Bible says, how do express the Bible in a concise manner? The creeds offer us a vehicle to do this.
The creeds are to be confessed with confidence and joy! Here is a group of Tongan youth confessing the Apostles Creed. They are using the ICET translation. While there are a few translation issues (and one BIG translation issue - see previous post) it is wonderful to see the holy catholic faith, the faith of all times and all places, the faith expressed in the Bible, confessed by these children.
Joyful, exuberant, confident.
Can I get a witness?
AMEN!
~~~~~
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand
of God the Father Almighty.
of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge
the living and the dead.
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
and the life everlasting.
AMEN!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Singing the Apostles Creed: The Early Years
Over at jwinters.com, there are music posts every Friday. Last Friday featured a blast from the 80's past, "Creed" by Petra. Of course I asked about the Rich Mullens' "Creed". JW noted he knew of Petra because of his dad, but had not been exposed to much Rich Mullens.
This led to some thinking on my part, and this post featuring non-traditional settings of this historic creed. Now it's turned into a two-part series (potentially three).
NOTES ABOUT THE TRANSLATIONS:
In the second article, the ICET text states, "He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit." The correct translation is "Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit."
Latin word order differs significantly from English, and articles are rarely used, but here is the direct translation.
The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Service Book chose to translate the phrase as "holy Christian Church."
Here is a guy giving us the Latin text, first spoken and then chanted. A couple things: yes that is a rosary (I give no endorsement to this practice) and no, this is not the best way to chant. The video is a tutorial for learning Latin, so each note of the chant is given a succinct beat.
Moving ahead a few hundred years, here is a choral version. If it sounds to your English ear that the text picks up in the middle of a thought, that is because it does! During this time, a cantor would intone the first phrase, and the choir would continue with the rest of the creed.
Choir: Patrem omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terra...
I am not sure of the composer of this setting, but I would place it in the later middle ages, possibly very early Renaissance era.
In the next post, English versions, both spoken and sung.
This led to some thinking on my part, and this post featuring non-traditional settings of this historic creed. Now it's turned into a two-part series (potentially three).
NOTES ABOUT THE TRANSLATIONS:
In the second article, the ICET text states, "He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit." The correct translation is "Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit."
Latin word order differs significantly from English, and articles are rarely used, but here is the direct translation.
qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto
who was conceived by/of Spirit Holy
The use of the term "catholic," i.e. "the holy catholic church" refers to the "universal" church, the church of all times and all places, and does not refer to any particular denomination.
sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam
holy Church universal/catholic
The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Service Book chose to translate the phrase as "holy Christian Church."
Here is a guy giving us the Latin text, first spoken and then chanted. A couple things: yes that is a rosary (I give no endorsement to this practice) and no, this is not the best way to chant. The video is a tutorial for learning Latin, so each note of the chant is given a succinct beat.
Moving ahead a few hundred years, here is a choral version. If it sounds to your English ear that the text picks up in the middle of a thought, that is because it does! During this time, a cantor would intone the first phrase, and the choir would continue with the rest of the creed.
Cantor: Credo in Deum
I believe in God
Choir: Patrem omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terra...
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth...
Creator of heaven and earth...
I am not sure of the composer of this setting, but I would place it in the later middle ages, possibly very early Renaissance era.
In the next post, English versions, both spoken and sung.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
A Multitude of Mighty Fortresses: To Be Continued...
As you may remember, this blog started with a series called "A Multitude of Mighty Fortresses," revolving around the great Reformation hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
I had originally planned to do 4 posts, one for each stanza. This post makes #13, and I have only gotten to lines 3 and 4 of the first stanza.
The series will pick up again sometime in the new year, possibly towards the end of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. The hymn is the appointed Hymn of the Day for Lent 1.
For now, let's settle in for Advent.
I had originally planned to do 4 posts, one for each stanza. This post makes #13, and I have only gotten to lines 3 and 4 of the first stanza.
The series will pick up again sometime in the new year, possibly towards the end of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. The hymn is the appointed Hymn of the Day for Lent 1.
For now, let's settle in for Advent.
Introducing WorshipConcord
Here is the discription of WorshipConcord from the blog.
WorshipConcord is a resource for worship leaders, lay and ordained. It is a “go-to” place for acquiring the necessary tools to make worship choices that are good for the church. It is a safe place for asking questions, sharing resources, and discussing each other’s work in a non-threatening way.
The goal of WorshipConcord is twofold:
● to promote harmony by fostering respect between those who appreciate different worship forms, and . . .
● to equip worship leaders with the tools they need to evaluate contemporary forms for use in the local congregation.
The most recent posts feature "Chemnitz on Traditions" (so far there are 11 posts in this series) and "My Favorite Thanksgiving Hymns" (four posts in this series).
Thanks to All for Hymn's Facebook follower Micah, who also follows WorshipConcord on Facebook. I found this blog by clicking on his icon.
You, too, can check out All for Hymn on Facebook and become a follower!
While you are there, check out WorshipConcord's Facebook page as well.
If you know of other worship or music blogs of note, please drop the link in any comment box.
Advent I: Sound of Majesty
One of the features got me hooked on Sound of Majesty was its Advent programming. Each Sunday in Advent features readings from the historic lectionary and quotes from one of Luther's sermons for that day.
Listen live at wmbi.fm on Sundays at 11:00 pm Central. Alternately, you can listen to this week's broadcast here and follow along with the playlist.
Listen live at wmbi.fm on Sundays at 11:00 pm Central. Alternately, you can listen to this week's broadcast here and follow along with the playlist.
Advent I: Savior of the Nations, Come
Dating back to Ambrose (340-397)and translated to German by Martin Luther, "Savior of the Nations, Come" is a wonderful way to ring in Advent and the "new year" of the church.
For a word-for-word translation of the German text, check out the first half of this video. The translation appears in text while the organ plays the chorale.
Here's a guy just having fun with the tune. I call it "Hymn and Toccata in G-Dorian."
And this guy has fun with the tune and likes the harmonies in both Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Service Book.
For all you orchestral fans out there, this is a lovely instrumental arrangement by JS Bach. If it ain't baroque, fix it!
From Cantata 61, in German. This is not your ordinary church choir; they can do a trill in unison!
Not by human flesh and blood,
By the Spirit of our God,
Was the Word of God made flesh -
Woman's offspring, pure and fresh.
For a word-for-word translation of the German text, check out the first half of this video. The translation appears in text while the organ plays the chorale.
Here's a guy just having fun with the tune. I call it "Hymn and Toccata in G-Dorian."
And this guy has fun with the tune and likes the harmonies in both Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Service Book.
For all you orchestral fans out there, this is a lovely instrumental arrangement by JS Bach. If it ain't baroque, fix it!
From Cantata 61, in German. This is not your ordinary church choir; they can do a trill in unison!
For You are the Father's Son
Who in flesh the vict'ry won.
By Your mighty pow'r make whole
All our ills of flesh and soul.
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