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Undeceptions with John Dickson
First Hymn
Dec 15, 2024
Amand Diangor, a Classics professor at Oxford, Dr. Stephanie Bernstra, Egyptology expert, and Dr. Charles Cosgrove, a scholar of early Christian literature, dive into the ancient world of hymnody. They discuss the discovery of the oldest Christian hymn in Oxyrhynchus, shedding light on bold expressions of faith amidst persecution. Their journey uncovers the intertwining of pagan and Christian musical traditions and reflects on the historical evolution of hymns, emphasizing their profound cultural and spiritual significance.
01:07:26
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Quick takeaways
- The discovery of the first Christian hymn highlights early church music's role in public expressions of faith despite persecution.
- Utilizing popular musical styles of the time, this hymn reflects early Christians' innovative approach to engage wider audiences with their beliefs.
Deep dives
The Discovery of the First Christian Hymn
The first Christian hymn, dating back to the 200s AD, has been identified as the oldest known hymn with both lyrics and musical notation. This ancient piece was discovered in a rubbish dump in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, by Oxford scholars Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt in 1897. Their expedition unearthed around half a million fragments of papyrus, which is considered the most significant literary find in ancient history, surpassing even the Dead Sea Scrolls. Among these fragments, Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1786 contained the hymn, which reveals early Christian musical practices and beliefs.
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