DOXECOLOGY
From Resound Worship
www.resoundworship.org/projects/doxecology
COP26 has passed, but ecological concerns continue to affect us. Christian teaching has a significant contribution to make, but how does that translate into congregational singing?
Step forward the songwriting collective at Resound Worship, the younger offshoot of Jubilate Hymns, with Doxecology. The project includes an album, songbook and study guide. There’s no need to try and find the title in a dictionary – it’s a made-up combination of doxology and ecology. As one of the authors says, it’s better than the original title of Eco-Songs!
Here is something genuinely different in the world of contemporary Christian music. It’s a well-thought-through attempt to write ‘Songs of Creation, Ecology and Christian Hope’, as the strapline says. The songs have come out of theological study, guided by the A Rocha Team and including John Stott’s writings on creation care, and Richard Bauckham’s insightful Bible and Ecology.
The songs are conveniently divided into three. The first, The Beauty of Creation brings us ‘Heaven’s Voice’. Then The Cry of Creation includes the poignant ‘Hear the song of our lament’ by US-based Keiko Ying. The Hope of Creation focuses on Christ, the key to a new, renewed humanity and creation – ‘Great Day’ stands out here.
The Resound team have done us a great service – they have avoided songs of exhortation (we must try harder), and clearly understand the misuse of dominion in Genesis 1:26 that has led humanity to act like mini-gods over the non-human creation. My Calvinist heart would like more songs on sovereignty and the cross, but I find myself deeply moved by the laments and tapping my toes to the Motown-style ‘Tenants of the King’. Use them, and cover all four stages of the Bible story – Creation, Fall, Redemption and New Creation.
