Podcast Summary: "Do You Have a Hymnbook?"

Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson addresses the enduring importance of hymnbooks in Christian worship and personal devotion. Drawing from his own experience and observations, Ferguson laments the declining presence of physical hymnbooks and urges listeners to reclaim them for the sake of spiritual growth and deeper theological reflection. The discussion examines the unintended consequences of modern worship practices, particularly the reliance on screen projections, and calls attention to the rich heritage contained within traditional hymnody.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Christians and the Love of Singing

• Theme for the Week: Christians love to sing ([00:07]).
• Ferguson stresses that singing has been central to Christian identity and formation for generations.

Decline in Personal Hymnbook Ownership

• Contrast with Past Generations:
  • 50 years ago, most Christians owned personal hymnbooks and carried them to church ([00:36]).
  • Many Bibles were published with built-in hymnbooks.
• Shift in Practice:
  • Modern churches now supply all necessary materials, removing the visible distinction (going to church with a book in hand).

The Consequences of Screen-Only Worship

• Loss of Visibility and Identity:
  • Without a book, it’s not clear to neighbors that one is headed to church ([01:14]).
• Dependent on Screen Choices:
  • Worshipers only see selected lyrics, not full hymns, and are subject to the preferences of whoever manages the screen ([01:36]).
  • "You can become a victim of the law of unintended consequences if your church uses a screen." — Ferguson ([01:42])

Arguments for Owning a Hymnbook

• Spiritual Growth and Knowledge:
  • Without a hymnbook, most Christians "don't know the vast majority of the great hymns of the Christian church." ([02:03])
  • Many hymns never appear on screen, meaning some teachings and traditions are omitted from regular worship by default.
  • “You don’t know if you’re being fully nurtured by what you’re singing or starved by whoever chooses what goes on the screen.” — Ferguson ([02:22])
• Understanding Content, Logic, and Theology:
  • Screens often show only one verse at a time; hymnbooks present the entire text, allowing for fuller appreciation and understanding ([02:46]).
  • Great hymn writers were theologians, structuring hymns with intentional theological progressions.
• Access to Centuries of Wisdom:
  • A hymnbook contains nearly 20 centuries of Christian praise, connecting worshipers with the “vast company of believers through the centuries” ([03:43]).
  • Encourages a sense of belonging to a larger, historic, and global church body.

Cautions About Exclusively Contemporary Worship

• Risk of Neglecting Tradition:
  • The drive to be "contemporary in everything" often prevents Christians from drawing wisdom from the past ([04:23]).
• Evaluation of Current Trends:
  • "We're the first generation in 300 years to do that. And frankly, we're not a smart enough or a spiritual enough generation to be able to afford to do that." — Ferguson ([04:52])

Theological Implications

• Subjectivism and Individualism:
  • Modern worship may overemphasize personal feelings at the expense of doctrinal depth ([05:09]).
  • Praise should reflect both deep personal devotion and robust theological content.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "Do you own a hymnbook? ...a hymnbook is perhaps the most important book you could own." — Ferguson ([00:17])
• "If you don't have a hymnbook, you don't know the vast majority of the great hymns of the Christian church." — Ferguson ([02:03])
• "With a hymnbook, you probably get almost 20 centuries of hymns, not just the last 20 years." — Ferguson ([03:43])
• “We’re the first generation in 300 years to do that. And frankly, we’re not a smart enough or a spiritual enough generation to be able to afford to do that.” — Ferguson ([04:52])
• "If you don't have a hymnbook, please get one." — Ferguson ([05:33])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 — Introduction; theme of the week.
• 00:36 — Historical reflection: Christians once carried hymnbooks.
• 01:14 — On church-supplied materials; impact on public Christian identity.
• 01:36 — The pitfalls of screen-based hymn selection.
• 02:03 — The danger of not knowing the richness of church hymnody.
• 02:46 — The theological and literary merits of seeing a hymn in full.
• 03:43 — Hymnbooks as treasures of 20 centuries of Christian praise.
• 04:23 — The contemporary church’s disconnect from tradition.
• 04:52 — Ferguson’s challenges to current generational trends.
• 05:33 — Final exhortation: "If you don't have a hymnbook, please get one."

Overall Tone and Style

Sinclair B. Ferguson’s tone is warm yet earnest, mixing gentle reminiscence with clear challenge. He doesn’t merely long for nostalgia’s sake, but underscores the spiritual and theological value of historic Christian practice. The episode is reflective, serious, and edged with pastoral concern, urging listeners to rediscover rich sources of faith.

Takeaway

Ferguson’s principal message is both simple and profound:
If you do not own a hymnbook, you should get one. Doing so nurtures your spiritual growth, connects you to the church throughout the ages, and deepens your theological understanding—reminding you that Christian praise is not just contemporary, but eternal.