Reformed praise

Stopping the rot

REFORMED PRAISE
A selection of hymns and psalms
By Alan C. Clifford
Charenton Reformed Publishing, 8 Le Strange Close, Norwich NR2 3PN
40 pages. £2.95 plus p&p
ISBN 0 9526716 8 9

Since the first edition of this booklet five years ago several things have happened. Dr. Clifford’s biography of Philip Doddridge has appeared; six further texts are added to the 21 issued in 2000, and earlier ones have been included in Praise! and in a revised Christian Hymns.

Of the additions, three are doxologies (long, short, medium) and two enlarge on texts in Romans 14 and John 4. The final item is among the finest; this approach to the Apostles’ Creed, close to its source without being a substitute for it, is neatly built on short incisive lines.

The recommended tune, like others, is from the Anglo-Genevan Psalter, also available from this publisher. Another named tune is new; most are traditional. The collection is smartly produced, though an index, more dates of writing and fewer capital letters would enhance it.

The author’s robust Introduction, reprinted with an added Preface, indirectly reminds me of shifting priorities — from God towards myself, faith to emotions, book to screen, words to music. If another generation is emerging without knowing what hymns are, this small contribution may help to stop the rot.

Christopher Idle

© Evangelicals Now - June 2005
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Main Articles

• A shop front in Soho
  Fair Share on Berwick Street, London
• The Commentary
  Rewriting history?
• Rough ride over Rover?
  A Christian who has just lost his job was willing to be interviewed by EN
• How to talk to our non-Christian friends
  Tim Horn says: 'Let their books raise the questions'
• Something great for fathers to do
• 'Send your pastor into cross-cultural mission', they said
• Letter from America
  Michael Jackson trial
• The Music Exchange
  Sing up!
• Monthly media and arts column
  Why, oh why, oh why ... don't we complain more?
• Monthly youth leaders column
  Where are they now?
• The current crisis in evangelicalism
  Jonathan Stephen of Affinity surveys a number of linked and worrying trends
• Ronald Inchley, Christian publisher, 1912-2005
  Obituary
• But one aim
  Remembering Hudson Taylor, 1832-1905
• The Third Degree
  Mission possible?
• When an unbelieving parent dies

Other articles

• The old evangelicalism - God so loved... an extract from The old evangelicalism by Iain Murray (Banner of Truth)
• When I don't desire God
• Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
• Watching the web
• Beyond the Bible - Moving from Scripture to theology
• The cross from a distance - Atonement in Mark's Gospel
• Stopping sex shops
• Reformed praise - A selection of hymns and psalms
• Billy Bray in his own words
• A story of conflict - The controversial relationship between Benjamin Wills Newton and John Nelson Darby
• Dawkins' God - Genes, memes and the meaning of life
• Islam - what every Christian should know
• Out of the comfort zone
• The Gadsby Project (CD)