The First Hymn is a documentary chronicling the development of a new song by songwriters Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding, based on an ancient papyrus.
Worship music goes back to the Old Testament and the Psalms. Its evolution from those ancient hymns through various chants to what we know today as praise and worship is fascinating in itself. This documentary focuses on the oldest known Christian hymn with actual musical accompaniment. While only a fragment of the full hymn has survived, the film shows us the ancient words and melodies that offer a glimpse of what the early Church sang.
The film offers some truly fascinating insights, including evidence that the belief in the Trinity goes back to the early Church and wasn't just some later addition. I feel that much of early Church history could shed considerable light on many of the denominational and theological disagreements so common in the modern Church. I think there are definitely some rabbit holes that one can go down looking further into some of the history presented in the documentary, particularly regarding "the church before denominations," but that's likely fruit for another discussion altogether.
The film itself moves along at a decent pace. From the discovery of the papyrus to the development of the modern interpretation by Tomlin and Fielding, to the mesmerizing choral performance of both the ancient melody and the modern arrangement of the hymn. There's a lot to unpack for what one might otherwise brush aside as just another worship song. Understanding the rich history behind this one, I found myself appreciating the intricacies of the melody and lyrics much more.
For those looking for a jumping-off point into Church history and the history of worship music in general, this film is a great place to start. It covers just enough to get you curious about what else we could learn from early Church history and the history of worship music in general. The hymn that is the end result of the project is a surefire hit, and it's inspiring to have a piece of music that could connect us across centuries to those early years of the Church.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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