British Methodist Hymnody

Hymnody is widely recognised as a central tenet of Methodism's theological, doctrinal, spiritual, and liturgical identity. Theologically and doctrinally, the content of the hymns has traditionally been a primary vehicle for expressing Methodism's emphasis on salvation for all, social holiness, and personal commitment, while particular hymns and the communal act of participating in hymn singing have been key elements in the spiritual lives of Methodists. An important contribution to the history of Methodism, British Methodist Hymnody argues that the significance of hymnody in British Methodism is best understood as a combination of its official status, spiritual expression, popular appeal, and practical application. Seeking to consider what, when, how, and why Methodists sing, British Methodist Hymnody examines the history, perception, and practice of hymnody from Methodism's small-scale eighteenth-century origins to its place as a worldwide denomination today.

Martin V. Clarke is a Lecturer in Music at The Open University. He has research interests in the relationships between music and theology, hymnody, Methodist history and British music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He is currently a Co-Investigator on the AHRC-funded project 'Listening and British cultures: listeners' responses to music in Britain, c.1700-2018'. He was an invited participant at the Yale ISM Consultation on Music and Theology in 2013 and has twice been the recipient of Visiting Fellowships at Bridwell Library, Southern Methodist University.

Introduction 1 Authorised Hymnody: Hymnals as Expressions of Doctrine and Theology 2 An Ecumenical Hymnody 3 An Evangelical Hymnody 4 Methodism's Literary Repertoire: Form, Language, Editing, and Theological Expression 5 Musical Repertoire 6 Methodist Hymnody in Practice 7 The Influence of Methodist Hymnody beyond British Methodism 8 Hymnody and Methodist Identity