Welcome

Hi All,

Bookmark this site as a reference for all of the hymns and songs featured after each chapter of Wayne Grudem’s ‘Systematic Theology’.  We will be posting lyrics, lead sheets, and chord charts for each song – along with other notes and stories that we come across.

grace,

Bruce Benedict

Cardiphonia Music

Introduction

Here are a few quotes from the Introduction to orient us to Dr. Grudem’s thoughts in relation to the songs and hymns he provides as the conclusion for each chapter.

—

E. How Should Christians Study Systematic Theology

6. We Should Study Systematic Theology with Rejoicing and Praise

The study of theology is not merely a theoretical exercise of the intellect.  It is a study of the living God, and of the wonders of all his works in creation and redemption.  We cannot study this subject dispassionately!  We must love all that God is, all that he says and all that he does.  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5) Our response to the study of the theology of Scripture should be that of the Psalmist who said, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (Ps. 139:17).  In the study of the teachings of God’s Word, it should not surprise us if we often find our hearts spontaneously breaking forth in expressions of praise and delight like those of the Psalmist: Ps 19:8; 119:14, 119:103; 119:111; 119,162). (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 37)

—

HYMN

“Systematic Theology at its best will result in praise.  It is appropriate therefore at the end of each chapter to include a hymn related to the subject of that chapter.  In a a classroom setting, the hymn can be sung together at the beginning or end of class.  Alternatively, an individual reader can sing it privately or simply meditate quietly on the the words.

For almost every chapter the words of the hymns were found in Trinity Hymnal (Philadelphia: Great Commission Publications, 1990), the hymnal of the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, but more of them are found in many other common hymnals.  Unless otherwise noted, the words of these hymns are now in public domain and no longer subject to copyright restrictions:  therefore they may be freely copied for overhead projector use or photocopied.

Why have I used so many old hymns? Although I personally like many of the more recent worship songs that have come into wide use, when I began to select hymns that would correspond to the great doctrines of the Christian faith, I realized that the great hymns of the church throughout history have a doctrinal richness and breadth that is still unequaled.  For several of the chapters in this book, I know of no modern worship song that covers the same subject in an extended way — perhaps this can be a challenge to modern songwriters to study these chapters and then write songs reflecting the teaching of Scripture on the respective subjects.

For this chapter, however, I found no hymn ancient or modern that thanked God for the privilege of studying systematic theology from the pages of Scripture. Therefore I have selected a hymn of general praise, which is always appropriate.”

– Wayne Grudem, “Systematic Theology” pg. 42