Good News

Ray Ortlund post:  Happy people sing

“Nothing is more characteristic of Reformation theology and few parts of Reformation Church activity have been so neglected as the congregational singing.  It was far from being a pleasant element introduced rather inconsistently into a service otherwise ruled by a sombre view of life.  We have already seen that in 1537 one of the four foundations for the reform of the Church was congregational singing. . . . We have seen in effect that Calvin placed singing at the heart of his theology of the Church.  The reason is not far to seek.  To put it with the utmost simplicity: The Church is the place where the Gospel is preached; Gospel is good news; good news makes people happy; happy people sing.  But then, too, unhappy people may sing to cheer themselves up.”

T. H. L. Parker, John Calvin (London, 1975), page 87.