Flashback

Last night I had a special experience. We had couchsurfing guests from the USA for 2 nights. They came from a conservative anabaptist background, and we had many interesting topics to touch in our conversations. They left a CD as present of a Mennonite choir - old revival songs, beautifully and simply sang. 

Now when I listened to that CD, I had a flashback. I was suddenly in my childhood and young years. All those songs - i knew most of them, either in english or in German - were part of my upbringing, our church, the choirs my father had, and the daily listening on the grammophone (some even already in stereo :-) When you hear music, a whole culture opens up! Lots of thoughts flashed through my mind:

- what have I lost! There was a richness in those old hymns, not always topped by the modern "worship" songs. "Just as I am" can still move me to tears (like it has done millions), Abide with Me is one of the most beautiful simple melodies I know.

- How much the whole old church culture was formed by the music and the songs we sang! There was a cultural adherence, a "We" feeling in our churches and choirs, conferences and camps, that I never had again since then. Some kind of "good ol' gospel feeling" (Barry McGuire), German version. I assume that most churches were (and still are) being formed by creating a "us-culture" which people like and which gives them a cultural home. Every sunday and mid-week we bathe in this culture, meet the friends we know and fill our spiritual-emotional gas tanks.

- What big words we made! Our songs were full of The Blood, The Cross,the Lamb, wretched sinners, the cleft of a rock, and other biblical references. A rich imagery, mostly evolving around sin, salvation, eternal hope (all highly individualized) - or comfort for our lives in the valley of sorrows. I remember well how we could use those big, poetic words in our songs, but - except from a conversion experience long ago - they had little to do with everyday life for many believers, let alone for us youngsters. They were simply too romantic and too big. ( Question of course: is it different today? Do the triumphant, "high above" worship songs have any effect on everyday life, let alone on society?)

- There was little to none "worship". The songs reflected the Church militant, not the Church triumphant. Some day, a switch must have happened - was it back in the 80s?

- We lived of a strong duality - old life vs. new, this world vs. Heaven to come. Hopes were set in God's understanding and hearing prayers, not so much changing a situation. The whole faith was less activistic, more patient - no need to change this world, just endure it. At the end, the Glorious Beyond beckons....

I know, Alan and Michael, I know..... But hey - how soothing and beautiful those old songs were!

Comments

[Birgit]

Na Reinhold, das waren noch Zeiten....so jung und knackig:-))