(Reprinted from NTJ, April 1997)
From: Glenn Morangie
To: T. Glen Livet
Date: 9/23/96 5:03pm
Subject: Re: Psalmody -Reply -Reply -Reply -Reply
Glen,
I have been so long in responding because they actually want me to do work here. Go figure.
I also couldn’t help but revel in your remark that I was “right on target.” Letting that go on the superhighway for two or so weeks was about as much delight as I have had in a long time. Yes, I do lead a sheltered life.
Finally, you didn’t write anything with which I disagree. I believe we have come to about as good a resolution as possible — which is, I think, 1) that the case for exclusive psalmody is not tight, 2) that the direction of redemptive history indicates that other songs reflecting later acts of God are worthwhile, if not necessary, 3) but that the theological insights which informed the case for psalms are pretty good, and 4) that our tradition was appropriately suspicious of hymns. Continue reading “The Great Debate Concluded”
Old Life 