1,700-Year-Old Hymn Makes A Comeback
Renowned Christian musicians Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding have brought a third-century hymn to life, releasing a modern rendition ahead of Easter. This project, named The First Hymn Project, debuted globally last Friday, accompanied by a documentary providing scholarly insights, which became available for streaming on Monday, as reported by Baptist Press.
The hymn, dating back to approximately 250 AD, was unearthed a century ago among Egyptian ruins and preserved at Oxford University. The revival of the hymn began when John Dickson, a professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College, recognized its theological and historical significance for contemporary Christians. Dickson noted that the hymn was an early expression of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, predating the formalization of the doctrine at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
Although a significant portion of the hymn’s text and melody was missing from the ancient papyrus, the surviving fragments revealed powerful lyrics that celebrated God as the sole giver of all good gifts, which stood in stark contrast to the way pagans described their gods like Zeus. To adapt the hymn for modern worship, Dickson worked with Tomlin and Fielding, who blended Dickson’s translation of the Greek text with a fresh interpretation of the ancient melody.
The final version of the hymn features an opening segment performed by an Egyptian Coptic Christian. Dickson explained that the original melody might have been a common tune among pagans, possibly even used in hymns praising gods like Zeus. The choice of this melody made the hymn particularly provocative at the time, confronting pagan beliefs with a clear declaration of the superiority of the Christian God.
For Fielding, this project offered a unique opportunity to connect modern worshippers with the experiences of early Christians who maintained their faith despite facing persecution. The collaboration also includes a documentary with contributions from theologians and scholars, with special screenings and concerts scheduled at Biola University and the Museum of the Bible. The project is a powerful reminder of the enduring faith of early Christians, as reflected in the hymn’s bold expression of worship.