'Critics say the proposed change was sparked by liberals wanting to take God's wrath out of the hymnal. 'So the committee voted to drop the song,' said Smietana. The song's authors, Stuart Townend and Northern Ireland born and now a Nashville resident, Keith Getty, objected. The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song wanted to substitute the words, 'the love of God was magnified.' He said that the original lyrics say that 'on that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.' An extraordinary dispute has arisen over a lyric contained one of the most beloved contemporary Christian hymns of the modern-day Church, 'In Christ Alone'.Īccording to Bob Smietana of USA Today, the committee putting together a new hymnal for the Presbyterian Church (USA) dropped the popular hymn because the song's authors refused to change a phrase about the wrath of God. This entry was posted on, in General, Music and Hymns, Projects, Top 100 Hymn Project. I think this one is destined to become a classic, moving toward the top of the list. Each time we sing it I am reminded of the basic creed of the Christian church throughout history: We stand complete before God clothed in the life, death and resurrection of Christ alone. We sing this modern hymn, that is yet so grounded in the historic Christian faith and doctrine that it sounds tried and tested, in my church frequently. Here in the power of Christ Iâ€™ll stand. When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!īought with the precious blood of Christ. What heights of love, what depths of peace, Jared (Gospel-Driven Church) has posted the lyrics and a youtube rendition of this hymn.įirm through the fiercest drought and storm. One e-mail described how a U.S soldier serving in Iraq would pray through each verse of the song every day, and how the promises of Godâ€™s protection and grace helped to sustain him through the enormous pressures and dangers of life in a war zone.Īdrian Warnock interviews Stuart Townend. â€œWeâ€™ve had some incredible e-mails about how people have been helped by the song through incredibly difficult circumstances.â€ Â€œIâ€™ve been amazed by the response to this song,â€ says Townend. The story of the composition of the contemporary worship hymn, In Christ Alone. Theme: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

In christ alone getty lyrics