Why Brian Wren is my Favorite Hymnist

I realize this is not directly related to General Conference, but I want to share yet another reason that Brian Wren is worthy of adoration. Of course, he is the writer of two of my favorite hymns, "This is a Day of New Beginnings" in the UMH and "Bring Many Names" in TFWS as well as one of GBGM's global praise booklets, though I can't remember which one at the moment.

If those songs aren't enough, it turns out he has a sense of humor, too. I was doing research about the problematic nature of violent and militaristic images in Christian language for a paper I'm writing. Wren makes a convincing argument about the reasons that militaristic language is problematic, and he concludes it with a song to be sung to the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers." To make this topical, I encourage you to think about approaching General Conference as a time of Christian conferencing, not as a battle or a war. Okay, here's the song:

(refrain) Onward Christian Rambos, spoiling for a fight!
Wave the flag of Jesus, knowing that we're right!

Onward Christian Rambos, spoiling for a fight!
Wave the flag of Jesus, knowing that we're right!
Spread the Gospel nerve gas, throw grenades of prayer,
Blast the Spirit's napalm, evil's over there. (refrain)

Like a panzer army, we shall blitz the foe.
Rugged cross, Old Glory, lead us as we go!
Hail or heil your leader, drilled to do or die,
Under Holy Orders, never asking "why?" (refrain)

Feel the thrill of bloodshed, guns and holy wars,
We don't really mean it, it's all metaphors.
Nuke the Devil's Empire, for in God we trust.
Yes, we'll love our enemies, when they bite the dust (refrain) (p. 15)

Source:

Wren, B. (1987). "Onward Christian rambos? The case against battle symbolism in hymns". The Hymn, 38(3), 13-15.

Comments

[David Braden]

I love "This is a Day of New Beginnings" and I also really enjoy Wren's "Onward Christian Rambos."

I do struggle sometimes though with violence-language hymns because I still feel moved by some, such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Granted here is a hymn that is rooted in the history of war and I am always bothered by hymns that suggest or assume that God is on the side of some political body, army or entity.

But, for instance, I always get chills during the fifth verse:

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free; [originally …let us die to make men free]

While God is marching on."

I know, still quite problematic. But I still feel inspired by this song nonetheless to tell the Good News and what it's like to have and feel new life in Christ.

I'd love to see the articles Wren wrote and his arguments. I do cling to tradition but I like to think that I do not do so blindly. So any good reads you have, I'd love to see.