Reformation Singing

Weekly Update – November 6th, 2025 

Last week we had the privilege of singing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  This hymn, written by Martin Luther, was likely a testimony of his own life as he wrote, “the ancient foe who doth seek to work us woe, with his craft and power are great, (while) armed with cruel hate.” This hymn, as well as the many others that Luther wrote, not only communicate the reality of spiritual warfare present in recovering the gospel, but also many of the great spiritual truths that were lost in the dark ages and rediscovered in the reformation.  But these hymns were not only for well-tuned choirs to sing in ornate churches.  Choirs did sing his hymns, but Luther’s intent was that they would primarily be used in congregational singing.

Congregational singing was an aspect put in place in New Testament churches.  With Paul calling the church to address one another in “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph. 5:19) you get a picture of congregational singing as a regular aspect of a church service.  This all had been stopped around the end of the fourth century. The Catholic Church believed that, “If laymen are not to interpret the Scriptures for themselves, so they are not to sing the songs of the church.” To this, Martin Luther declared, “Let God speak directly to His people through the Scriptures, and let His people respond with grateful songs of praise.” 

Martin Luther firmly believed that if the church could learn the truths of the Scriptures, then they would see for themselves not only the evils of the Catholic Church, but also the greatness of our God and His love for us in Jesus Christ.  The other reformers shared his sentiments too.  This led to the revival of preaching and to the mass distribution of the New Testament, but it also led to the revival of corporate singing in the church.  It was through the church learning to sing, that truth was reinforced, doctrine was defended, and in some cases, people were converted. 

As Luther brought about this reformation of singing, believing that the church should sing together, he did so in a way that made it easy for the church to participate.  He believed music should be smart, but at the same time, able to be understood by all who sang.  Luther believed that not only should songs full of Scripture, but he also held to a high musical excellence.  This led him to keep to a short list of approved songs that were easily sung by the church, but also clear on doctrine and truth.  As Robin Leaver wrote, “At every opportunity Luther and his colleagues were concerned to get the whole congregation—not just part of it—involved in the singing, teaching them of the need to sing the scriptural Word, (as well as) giving them the texts and melodies to sing”

October 31^st, 1517 was a date that changed the Christian world forever.  It brought about a reestablishment of Scripture.  It clarified salvation in saying that men and women are justified, not by works or the sacraments, but by faith alone.  But, this date also began a reformation of singing too.  For the songs of the church will often communicate what it is a church believes.  If words are full of fluff, then the church will appear lite on truth.  If the church is entertained more than it participates, then it is clear what type of culture is promoted.  Congregational singing is a vital New Testament mandated aspect of the worship service, where members internalize what is sung, as well as communicate the truths of Christ to each other.  So sing! 

Serving Him with You,

Pastor Michael Nelson