In this series of blogs inspired by Handel’s Messiah, I share my personal thoughts that occur to me in the Twenty-First Century, as I listen to it in its entirety.

The Overture has no words.

The rest of Handel’s Messiah puts the words of the King James Version of the Bible to music. The grandeur of the King James Version, and the timeless truths of the Bible and of Jesus, lend Handel’s Messiah much of its timeless grandeur.

The Overture echoes many of the songs that will follow.

I find it appropriate that in the Twenty-First Century there are no words from the Bible in the Overture. Today, many people have forgotten—or never learned—the words of the Bible.

All that remains in our culture (and, sadly, even in many of our churches) are faint echoes of the words of the Bible, of Jesus, and of Christianity.

I have tried to explain Biblical truths to this generation that has no knowledge of the Bible, of Jesus, and of Christian theology. These blogs are often labeled “The Nones”.

My blogs and podcasts to help the Nones understand the Bible, Jesus, and Christian theology can be found by searching “Nones” on my website timharner.com.

My books should help “the Nones”, by setting forth my thoughts when reading the Bible, and when being instructed and inspired by the histories of America and of the Church: The Promised Land (Genesis to Ruth); Healing the Promised Land (the rest of the Old Testament); Hoping in the LORD (the Gospels); Lighting the World (the rest of the New Testament); and Visions of America, Visions of the Church (American history and Church history). For descriptions of these books that cover the entire Bible and the histories of America and the Church, please look at the Book Gallery in my website timharner.com

As I listen to the Overture in Handel’s Messiah, I meditate upon the grandeur and the timeless truths of the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity. And I relish the chance to listen to all of Handel’s Messiah once again! Especially its words that enshrine the grandeur and timeless truths of the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity.

BACKGROUND INFO

Handel’s Messiah was first performed in 1742. Its lyrics were taken from a compilation by Charles Jennens of portions of the King James Version of the Bible and the Coverdale Psalter.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Why do so many people and churches in the Twenty-First Century fail to experience the grandeur and timeless truths of the Bible, Jesus and Christianity?

How can we help the Nones experience the grandeur and timeless truths of the Bible, Jesus and Christianity?

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For related ideas, please read my blog “The Nones: Thanksgiving Dinner”.