Thom Rainer: Evangelism and the Wrath of God

I observed with keen interest this past week the multiple voices responding to the rejection of the hymn written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, “In Christ Alone.” I read about it first from my friend, Timothy George, who explained the issue clearly and succinctly:

Recently, the wrath of God became a point of controversy in the decision of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song to exclude from its new hymnal the much-loved song “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. The Committee wanted to include this song because it is being sung in many churches, Presbyterian and otherwise, but they could not abide this line from the third stanza: “Till on that cross as Jesus died/the wrath of God was satisfied.” For this they wanted to substitute: “ . . . as Jesus died/the love of God was magnified.” The authors of the hymn insisted on the original wording, and the Committee voted nine to six that “In Christ Alone” would not be among the eight hundred or so items in their new hymnal.

The Controversy Grows

So I watched the controversy grow. As a student of the local church, I was fascinated to see how far left the Presbyterian Church (USA) had moved as it banned one of the top hymns of the era from their hymnal. I was also intrigued by the controversy because I consider Keith and Kristyn Getty to be friends. Keith, of course, is the co-composer of the hymn. And his wife Kristyn has sung the hymn countless times before audiences around the world. They are a wonderful and godly couple that only desire to bring glory to God through their music. Read more

Also see
'Wrath of God' Keeps Popular Worship Song Out of 10,000-Plus Churches
PC(USA) Removes 'In Christ Alone' From Hymnal Because of Line About God's Wrath; Exclusion is Theological Blunder, Says Lay Committee President
God's wrath taboo subject for PCUSA hymnal