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The Thematic Relationship Between George Whitefield's Sermons and a Collection of Hymns for Social Worship by Leslie A

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The Thematic Relationship Between George Whitefield's Sermons and a Collection of Hymns for Social Worship by Leslie A ABSTRACT Exploring Homilies and Hymnody: The Thematic Relationship Between George Whitefield’s Sermons and A Collection of Hymns for Social Worship Leslie A. Robinson, M.M. Mentor: David W. Music, D.M.A. This thesis examines George Whitefield’s A Collection of Hymns for Social Worship and presents a thematic analysis of the hymn book’s lyrical content. This research contributes to a fuller understanding of Whitefield’s evangelistic mission, provides a perspective on Whitefield’s views on singing and hymnody, and suggests that the values that motivated Whitefield as a preacher also shaped his decisions as an editor and compiler of hymn texts. Whitefield’s religious zeal, theatrical tendencies, rhetorical abilities, and desire for Christian ecumenism are underscored as important factors that impacted the way he crafted this resource for public worship. Context for the thematic analysis of this collection is provided by an exploration of Whitefield’s published writings in journals and letters and a survey of his preaching ministry, with a focus on his endeavors at Moorfields in London. Exploring Homilies and Hymnody: The Thematic Relationship between George Whitefield's Sermons and A Collection of Hymns for Social Worship by Leslie A. Robinson, B.S. A Thesis Approved by the School of Music Gary C. Mortenson, D.M.A., Dean Laurel E. Zeiss, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Music Approved by the Thesis Committee David W. Music, D..., Chairperson C. aall rale, D... iue alls, Ph.D. has . i, Ph.D. Laurel E. Zeiss, Ph.D. Accepted by the Graduate School Deeer J. Larry Lyon, Ph.D., Dean Page bearing signatures is kept on file in the Graduate School. Copyright © 2017 by Leslie A. Robinson All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction and Context ................................................................................................ 1 Why Whitefield? .......................................................................................................... 1 Objectives and Research Questions ............................................................................ 2 An Overview of the Eighteenth Century ...................................................................... 3 British History ........................................................................................................ 3 The Evangelical Revival Movements ...................................................................... 5 English Psalmody and Hymnody ............................................................................ 8 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 16 Whitefield's Life, Ministry, and Theology ................................................................... 16 Biographical Sources on George Whitefield ............................................................. 16 A Brief Account of Whitefield’s Life and Travels ...................................................... 18 Whitefield’s Values and Approach to Preaching ...................................................... 26 Hallmarks of Whitefield’s Theology .......................................................................... 30 Whitefield’s Ministry at Moorfields .......................................................................... 34 Location and Architecture .................................................................................... 34 Phases of Ministry ................................................................................................ 36 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 38 Whitefield's Preaching ................................................................................................. 38 Analysis of Representative Sermons .......................................................................... 38 “The Nature and Necessity of Our New Birth in Christ Jesus” ........................... 39 “The Putting on the New Man a Certain Mark of the Real Christian” ............... 41 “The True Nature of Beholding the Lamb of God” and “Peter’s Denial of His Lord” ............................................................................... 45 “A Farewell Sermon” ........................................................................................... 51 Scholarship on Whitefield’s Preaching ..................................................................... 55 Whitefield’s Persuasive Techniques ..................................................................... 55 Whitefield’s “Evangelical Parachurch” .............................................................. 58 Whitefield’s Identity-Shaping Rhetoric................................ ................................. 60 Whitefield as Artist ............................................................................................... 62 iv CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................. 65 Whitefield’s Perspective on Singing and Hymnody ..................................................... 65 Whitefield’s Comments on Music in Sermons ........................................................... 65 Whitefield’s References to Singing in Letters ........................................................... 70 Whitefield’s Opinions on Hymns in Tracts and Miscellaneous Documents ............. 74 Whitefield’s Ideas of Singing in Journal Entries ...................................................... 77 A Summary of Whitefield’s Perspective .................................................................... 79 CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................................................. 81 An Overview of Hymns for Social Worship ................................................................. 81 Editions and Influence ............................................................................................... 81 Whitefield’s Preface .................................................................................................. 83 Structure and Sections ............................................................................................... 86 Text Authorship ......................................................................................................... 88 CHAPTER SIX ................................................................................................................. 93 A Thematic Analysis of Hymns for Social Worship ..................................................... 93 Methodological Approach ......................................................................................... 93 Expanding on Existing Scholarship .......................................................................... 93 Themes and Examples ............................................................................................... 98 Doctrinal Themes in Whitefield’s Preaching ....................................................... 98 Themes Associated with Whitefield’s Writing .................................................... 127 Themes from Texts Added to the Supplement ..................................................... 138 Whitefield’s Omitted Hymns ................................................................................... 141 The Range of Poetic Devices in Hymns for Social Worship ................................... 144 Contrasting Devices ........................................................................................... 147 Repetitive Devices ............................................................................................... 148 Illustrative Devices ............................................................................................. 150 Climax Devices ................................................................................................... 151 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 153 CHAPTER SEVEN ........................................................................................................ 154 Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 154 Restatement of Research Questions ........................................................................ 154 Whitefield’s Overarching Theology and Evangelical Mission ............................... 154 Whitefield’s Views on Congregational Song ........................................................... 156 Whitefield’s Motivations as Artistic Preacher and Pastoral Editor ....................... 158 Whitefield and Evangelical Hymnody ..................................................................... 159 Areas for Further Research ...................................................................................
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