Courage for Troubled Times: The Surprising Power of Hymn Poetry

Courage for Troubled Times

The Surprising Power of Hymn Poetry

By Rev. Dr. Dean Borgman

Dear friends, in my distress concerning our country’s political turmoil, I’ve often felt anxious and confused. For this reason, I’ve found myself drawing back from discussing “the elephant in the room,” as many Americans do when we face opposing opinions in our families, workplaces, and churches. What then can I and other followers of Jesus Christ do with our feelings?

The Apostle Paul suggests encouraging ourselves and one another “with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). As I confront this new political climate, I look to these forms of poetry for the inner peace which leads to godly action. 

I’d like to acquaint you with some hymns that may be unfamiliar to you. The best hymns combine sociopolitical laments with personal emotions, confessions, and spiritual hope. I find that reading them as poems allows me to take in and soak up their richness of spiritual comfort and inspiration.

god moves in a mysterious way

William Cowper’s life was described by biographer John Piper as “one long accumulation of pain.” Cowper came to faith in the asylum at St. Albans when he happened to pick up a Bible in the garden. After this experience, Cowper was forced to reconcile a life marked by death and mental illness with the goodness and sovereignty of God.

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.

He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. 

Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs and works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take—the clouds you so much dread

are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head. 

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace.

Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour.

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain.

God is His own interpreter and He will make it plain.

Reflection Questions

• As you take your time to read Cowper’s hymn, what most resonates with you?

• In a world and life like Cowper’s—and ours—in what ways do God and God’s actions often seem mysterious?

• How do you see our Creator and Redeemer becoming His own interpreter amidst our cultural chaos?

God is working his purpose out

In writing the refrain of “God Is Working His Purpose Out,” scholar Arthur Campell Ainger drew inspiration from Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.” It, too, speaks to trying times.

God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year.

God is working his purpose out and the time is drawing near.

Nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be

when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west wherever feet have trod,

by the mouth of many messengers goes forth the voice of God:

'Give ear to me, ye continents, ye isles, give ear to me,

that the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.’

What can we do to work God's work, to prosper and increase

the love of God in all mankind, the reign of the Prince of peace?

What can we do to hasten the time, the time that shall surely be,

when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea

March we forth in the strength of God, with the banner of Christ unfurled,

that the light of the glorious gospel of truth may shine throughout the world.

Fight, we that fight with sorrow and sin to set their captives free,

that the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth unless God blesses the deed;

vainly we hope for the harvest-tide till God gives life to the seed.

Yet nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be

when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

Reflection Questions

• Do you ever feel yourself asking with Habakkuk, “Why, God? How can you stand by while such things happen?”

• What do you do when you feel this way?

• What possibilities for action does this hymn offer to you, even when you feel directionless?

once to every man & nation

Concerned about slavery and the impending Mexican-American War, professor and abolitionist James Russell Lowell penned “The Present Crisis” early in his career. This poem later became “Once to Every Man & Nation,” and as a hymn retains its message about social responsibility. Though the gender-exclusive language is dated, what can we take from this 1845 hymn to use in our own lives?  

Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide

In the strife of truth and falsehood, for the good or evil side.

Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,

And the choice goes by forever 'twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with Truth is noble when we share her wretched crust

‘Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and 'tis prosperous to be just.

Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands aside

Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.

By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track, 

Toiling up new Calv'ries ever with the cross that turns not back. 

New occasions teach new duties, ancient values test our youth. 

They must upward still and onward who would keep abreast of truth. 

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong.

Though her portion be the scaffold and upon the throne be wrong. 

Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown 

Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.

Reflection Questions

• What stands out to you from this hymn? In what ways is it different from the earlier two?

• How are we as Christians asked to follow Jesus, carrying our crosses up “new Calvaries”?

• What does Truth mean to you? Do you think that this is a moment when all Americans must decide about Truth?

In conclusion

Although changing our world is an enormous task, encouraging ourselves and others with psalms and hymns is a doable first step. Can you give yourself some time daily or weekly to devote to songs like these? 

As you do, may this powerful poetry lift your spirit and give you the courage to cooperate with our Father, who is fulfilling our prayer that God’s Kingdom might come to this world.

Resources for Christians Navigating Political & Theological Divides

Resources for Christians Navigating Political & Theological Divides

Compiled by Andrew Tsou and Dean Borgman

We live in polarizing times—but we’re not the first. Many time-tested kingdom principles about how to engage with others in political matters are already recorded in insightful Christian books and resources.

““Moving out to do something has to have a deeply spiritual basis.” - Professor Dean Borgman”

On November 9, 2018, the Emmanuel Gospel Center held its first Long View Session—a new series of gatherings where seasoned, visionary ministry thinkers discuss matters crucial to the future of urban ministry and Christian engagement in society. At the inaugural session, Professor Dean Borgman discussed Christians’ call to engage in political conversation amidst explosive and frayed emotions in our nation, state, and communities, and he offered tips and resources to light the way.

Upcoming Long View Sessions

Tell me about upcoming Long View Sessions!

Long View Session participants also had the opportunity to share ways that they’re already engaging—well, poorly, or not at all—with friends and family on issues of political relevance.

“Moving out to do something has to have a deeply spiritual basis,” Prof. Borgman cautioned. For biblical principles on how to engage well about politically-charged issues when talking to friends, family, and people on the other side of political divides, check out Dean’s recommended resources below.

Suggested Resources

The New York Times, September 29, 2018

“What should the role of Christians in politics be? More people than ever are asking that question. Christians cannot pretend they can simply transcend politics…. Those who simply avoid all political discussions and engagement are essentially casting a vote for the status quo.” - Pastor Tim Keller

Evangelicals on Public Policy Issues: Sustaining a Respectful Political Conversation by Harold Heie (2014)

“…One of my primary proposals for a “Way Forward” beyond the debacle of current American Politics that emerged from my recent eCircle on “Reforming American Politics” is that politicians and their supporters need to ‘develop personal relationships of mutual understanding and trust by listening to and talking respectfully with those who disagree with them’. …To develop such a personal relationship is to become a friend.” - Harold Heie

The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted by Obery Hendricks (2007)

Obery Hendricks is an ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a former Wall Street Investment executive, and a scholar, professor, and author also of Living Water and The Universe Bends Toward Justice: Radical Reflections on the Bible, the Church, and the Body Politic (2011).

God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It by Jim Wallis (2006)

God’s Politics covers the taboos of talking about religion and politics, and how spiritual values impact international relations, economic justice, social issues, and social change.

The Politics of Jesus by James H. Yoder (1994)

“Tradition has painted a portrait of a Savior aloof from governmental concerns and whose teachings point to an apolitical life for his disciples….Such a picture of Jesus is far from accurate,” argues John Howard Yoder.

Yoder gives us a picture of a political Jesus, and offers a polemic for Anabaptist pacifism.

Other Movements, Organizations & Resources

Civilitas, Doug Birdsall

Civilitas represents a foundational commitment to strengthen the influence of the Bible and the role of the Church as a means of bringing healing and cohesion to our fragmenting society.

Civil conversations will work to change the tone of our society by supplanting vitriolic public discourse with respectful listening, constructive exchange, and positive partnerships.

Revive Civility, from the National Institute for Civil Discourse: To Restore and Call for Civility in our Democracy

Integrated research, practice and policy to support and engage: 

• Elected officials who are capable of working to solve the big issues facing our country.

• A public that demands civil discourse as well as government that works in the best interests of the country as a whole. 

• A media that informs citizens in a fair and responsible way.

Citizen Engagement and Civil Discourse Resources

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is committed to the success of all legislators and staff. Its mission is to:

• Improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures.

• Promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures.

• Ensure state legislatures a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.

Resource List for Reconciliation in Troubled Times

Resource List for Reconciliation in Troubled Times

Compiled by Megan Lietz and Dean Borgman

Prof. Dean Borgman mentioned these resources during his lecture – “Reconciliation in Troubled Times” – as one way that we might learn about how to respond to the division of our time. 

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

The New Jim Crow is a powerful and provocative book that explains how the racism associated with the Jim Crow era has not been removed, but redesigned and perpetuated through the social ill of mass incarceration. This is a must-read for understanding how systemic racism still has a profound impact on communities of color today.

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion Jonathan Haidt (2012)

In The Righteous Mind, social scientist Jonathan Haidt argues that our moral, political, and religious positions come more from our “gut feelings” than reason. He considers the implications this has on how we interact with people of differing persuasions and offers perspectives that can help us learn how to cooperate across dividing lines,

Roadmap to Reconciliation: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness and Justice by Brenda Salter McNeil

Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil presents a roadmap describing the journey people go through when working towards biblical reconciliation. This book helps people better understand the journey they may be on and equip themselves to progress on to personal and social transformation.

Toxic Inequality: How America’s Wealth Gap Destroys Mobility, Deepens the Racial Divide & Threatens Our Future by Thomas M. Shapiro

Sociologist Thomas Shapiro explores how the historically high economic inequality our country is experiencing must be understood in light of racial inequality. Together, this combination creates “toxic inequality” that must be named, understood, and addressed together to create a more just society.

Preaching Politics: Proclaiming Jesus in an Age of Money, Power, and Partisanship by Clay Stauffer

How can you address the divisive issues of our time in a politically diverse congregation? Preaching politics talks about how issues that underlie our differences, such as our view of money, materialism, and power, impact faith and can be responded to through the teachings of Jesus.

Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness and Reconciliation by Miraslav Volf

Croatian theologian, Miraslav Volf, addresses how we see “the other” in a negative light and calls us to move from a position of excluding those who are different from us to embracing them with the love of Jesus. He provides a theology of reconciliation that he believes, when lived, allows people to experience the healing power of the Gospel.