While many evangelical congregations have moved away from hymns and hymnals, these were once central fixtures in the evangelical tradition. This book examines the role and importance of hymns in evangelicalism, not only as a part of worship but as tools for theological instruction, as a means to identity formation, and as records of past spiritual experiences of the believing community. Written by knowledgeable church historians, Wonderful Words of Life explores the significance of hymn-singing in many dimensions of American Protestant and evangelical life. The book focuses mainly on church life in the United States but also discusses the foundational contributions of Isaac Watts and other British hymn writers, the use of gospel songs in English Canada, and the powerful attraction of African-American gospel music for whites of several religious persuasions. Includes appendixes on the American Protestant Hymn Project and on hymns in Roman Catholic hymnals. Contributors: Susan Wise Bauer Thomas E. Bergler Virginia Lieson Brereton Esther Rothenbusch Crookshank Kevin Kee Richard J. Mouw Mark A. Noll Felicia Piscitelli Robert A. Schneider Rochelle A. Stackhouse Jeffrey VanderWilt Series Preface vii Contributors x Introduction xii Richard J. Mouw IN THE BEGINNING WAS WATTS The Defining Role of Hymns in Early Evangelicalism 3(14) Mark A. Noll ``We're Marching to Zion'': Isaac Watts in Early America 17(25) Esther Rothenbusch Crookshank Hymnody and Politics: Isaac Watts's ``Our God, Our Help in Ages Past'' and Timothy Dwight's ``I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord'' 42(27) Rochelle A. Stackhouse HYMNS AND THE ORDERING OF PROTESTANT LIFE Jesus Shall Reign: Hymns and Foreign Missions, 1800-1870 69(27) Robert A. Schneider Marketing the Gospel: Music in English-Canadian Protestant Revivalism, 1884-1957 96(27) Kevin Kee ``I Found My Thrill'': The Youth for Christ Movement and American Congregational Singing, 1940-1970 123(27) Thomas E. Bergler Protestant Hymnody in Contemporary Roman Catholic Worship 150(14) Felicia Piscitelli White Folks ``Get Happy'': Mainstream America Discovers the Black Gospel Tradition 164(15) Virginia Lieson Brereton HYMNS AS GOOD (OR BAD?) THEOLOGY Singing about Death in American Protestant Hymnody 179(26) Jeffrey VanderWilt Stories and Syllogisms: Protestant Hymns, Narrative Theology, and Heresy 205(29) Susan Wise Bauer ``Some Poor Sailor, Tempest Tossed'': Nautical Rescue Themes in Evangelical Hymnody 234(17) Richard J. Mouw Appendix I: American Protestant Hymns Project: A Ranked List of Most Frequently Printed Hymns, 1737-1960 (The Marini List) 251(14) Appendix II: ``Hymns Recommended for Ecumenical Use'' in Catholic Hymnbooks 265(4) Appendix III: Hymns in Roman Catholic Hymnals 269(4) Index of Names and Subjects 273(8) Index of Hymn (and Song) Titles 281