"laestadian, apostolic, gay, lgbtq, ex-oalc, ex-llc, llc, oalc, bunner" LEARNING TO LIVE FREE: Falling Stars and Keys

Monday, April 22, 2013

Falling Stars and Keys

A reader recently asked about the OALC hymn "O Fallen Star." This hymn and "Keys Are Given to the Christians" are apparently the only ones sung in the OALC that were written by members. "Keys" was written by Fremont Ward, who was either a mason or a Mason, and an adult convert to the faith, if I recall correctly. Maybe cvow knows?

Who wrote "O Fallen Star"?

Something tells me it was a woman, and her name deliberately left unknown. Despite Laestadius' own daughter being active in sharing his work and teaching, even traveling on his behalf to different communities, current gender roles in the OALC would hardly allow for a female hymn leader, much less a writer.

I have a vivid memory of singing this hymn while washing dishes with my sister-in-law, who has a lovely soprano voice and knows how to harmonize (among some OALCers this is a sign of vanity and not to be encouraged). While the tune is pretty, I tend to agree with my friend, who calls the lyrics "good old self-righteousness pretending to be love."

What do you think?

O Fallen Star 
I once beheld a star fall down from Heaven,
Which ceased to twinkle in the heaven's blue,
My thoughts go out to all by sin encumbered,
Who in a world so strange must journey through. 
CHORUS:
O fallen star in that far off land, retrace your footsteps to the homeland shore, for Jesus loves you, He calls for you, O fallen star come and shine once more. 
Down here I often meet upon this journey,
A soul which once enjoyed sweet peace and rest,
But now the dark world won his heart to wander,
A fallen soul lost from the heaven's crest. 
Take heed you fallen soul as you make sojourn,
There's found a way that leads back home once more,
If you would only turn your heart to Jesus,
You'll find what joys the Father has in store. 
And so you will be home again my brother,
Where evermore each star shall firmly dwell,
With all the blessed saints your voice shall mingle,
There ne'er again the sun sinks o'er the fjell.

Update: Here's my short, post-OALC, mixed-metaphors-galore version:

O Shining Star
When I behold the stars aglow in heaven,
Life's source that twinkles in the heaven's blue,
My love goes out to all by pain encumbered,
Who in a suffering world must journey through. 
CHORUS:
O shining stars in this lovely land, shine for the suffering, from shore to shore, know Jesus loves you, He calls for you, to shine with love here, forever more. 
Down here I often meet upon this journey,
A suffering soul who yearns for peace and rest,
But when we share our burdens and our blessings,
Heaven blooms within and we are blessed.

36 comments:

  1. I know it's ridiculous but it's the mixed metaphor that bothers me.

    First stanza, third line, sounds as if the author doesn't consider his/her own self 'sin encumbered'?? Hm.

    No clue as to author.

    -R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The author not considering him/her self "sin encumbered" would fit with an OALC penning it. The official stance is that they too are sinners, but for all the sins that somehow aren't sins when committed by OALC, it seems that they find "worldlies" to be the real sinners, not OALC. I find in my area a lot of CRIMES are overlooked by the church and it's members if committed by OALC and even joked about in social settings (by adults in the church). Underage smoking, hunting/game violations, stealing from "worldlies", animal abuse and cruelty, driving violations, to say nothing of child molestation and physical abuse.

      Delete
  2. "Keys Are Given to the Christians" was actually wrote by Robert Robinson who lived from 1730-1795, which was long before OALC time.
    SN

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hmmm, I must have been misinformed. Do you have a source for that info? Trust but verify and all that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. In the ALC songbook with music notes there are names and dates for who wrote the songs if they had that information.
    SN

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can someone here with an OALC songbook provide its notes for the song, if there are any? I hate to doubt you but I am not the only ex-OALCer who was told it was written by a member.

    The words of the song seem to directly reference the Laestadian doctrine of forgiveness (and the language is definitely not 18th century English). "Keys are given to the Christians, to unlock the doors of heaven" etc. Also, if I recall correctly, there is some vague reference to the north. Perhaps we are talking about different hymns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My songbook only has the words. No notes of any kind. Don't ever remember seeing a songbook with notes ever.

      It does seem to refer to the LLL doctrine of forgiveness, complete with inaccuracies about angels keeping a book with names of the "victors in the strife." For isn't the Bible clear that even the angels don't know who is saved?

      No reference to "north" that I could find. But I vaguely remember hearing it was written by OALC too.

      Delete
    2. There is no OALC songbook with music notes because they believe playing music is wrong.
      SN

      Delete
    3. Yep. Which makes the one exception in 1977 for Fremont Ward rather remarkable.

      Delete
    4. Can you share more details? What happened in 1977?

      -curious

      Delete
  6. According to Wikipedia, the tune that I remember the OALC using for "Keys Are Given" is an American folk tune called "Nettleton" composed by the Massachussets printer John Wyeth or Connecticut theologian and pastor Asahel Nettleton. It is also the tune of the hymn "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" written by English Baptist pastor Robert Robinson in 1757.

    Here is a link to that hymn:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUhU0HgTq94

    Is it possible that the ALC songbook has both hymns and attributes them to the same writer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That very well could be possible.
      SN

      Delete
    2. SN, could you check? Do you have a copy of the ALC hymn book handy?

      Delete
    3. It has both hymns and the same author and music author for both.
      SN

      Delete
    4. Thanks for checking, SN. Just to be clear, do you mean the ALC hymnal says Robert Robinson wrote both the words and music for Come Thou Font of Every Blessing and for Keys Are Given?

      Delete
    5. The older printing says he wrote the words to both and John Wyeth wrote the music to both. However, I looked at the newer printing and discovered it was edited and does say that Fremont Ward wrote Keys are Given.
      SN

      Delete
  7. The line in the song that has bothered me for years is "By the power of the Gospel, it is theirs to loose and bind." Where on earth did the OALC get the notion that they could condemn people? I thought only God could bind/unbind sin. This is another example why I am so thankful to be out from under that doctrine. SISU

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, not exactly, Sisu. Remember John 20:23, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

      That's the King James version, but all versions more or less say the same thing.

      Delete
    2. Binding is not condemning people, but rather preaching sin to the sinner so they can be aware of it and desire to be loosed from it. See Romans 7:7-9.

      Delete
  8. A member of the ex-OALC support group on Facebook writes: "I have a songbook printed in 1977 and the song is attributed to Ward. I find no other song with a name by it." As I left the OALC in 1979, this is the hymnal I remember.

    Another member writes that some songs (at least in the 2005 edition) are marked with an asterisk to indicate they are not to be sung in church. "I guess they can be sung at home or at gatherings. Some examples: Amazing Grace, O Holy Night, What Child is This, The Savior Is Risen, How Great Thou Art."

    Does anyone know why these would be restricted?


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Free, I've heard it said that the"new"song book was not first approved and edited by the elders before printing so they had to manually mark which songs were not appropriate to sing in church but the inappropriate songs ended up being all old songs that had been in the song book for many years. They had some songs completely removed in the next printing and marked some songs that are not to be sung in the church but are fine to sing at home or at gatherings. I would also like to know why these songs were suddenly marked inappropriate. it couldn't be NEW enlightenment... could it?!
      -My View

      Delete
    2. Now this is getting interesting.

      If the elders from Swedish Lapland had a role in deciding which songs were appropriate, they may be echoing actions of the State Church of Sweden. I was just reading a fascinating account of the the controversy in the 1700's, when the Church found a new songbook (The Songs of Zion) to be "infected" with Moravian pietism by emphasizing grace over law.

      Could this be the perceived danger in the hymns that are "asterisked" in the OALC hymnal. Too gracey?

      Delete
    3. Definitely "too gracey."
      I asked my parents why certain songs, like Amazing Grace, Rock of Ages, were taken out of the song book. They said they were no longer felt to be doctrinally correct. In the two I mentioned, I was told that they were told someone may get the impression the congregation was worshipping the rock, or grace. My mother even had a "brother" (who was/is a minister,)chastise her for playing such songs on the piano in our home one Friday night after they had been removed from the song book. He went on to state in an accusatory fashion that the devil tempted us by trying to trick us into thinking principles that seemed good but were actually evil were part of "our" faith. And of course, he wouldn't want to see his "dear sister" fall into that trap. I'm still trying to remember if we ever sang O Fallen/Shining Star in the LLC.
      -Pebbles

      Delete
  9. I liked the first song but I really like the second version.
    anonymous,
    I don't believe the OALC is meaning that they aren't sinners and only "worldlies" sin but that their sins had been forgiven and they had received absolution and peace.
    The OALC song book doesn't have notes or refer to the authors.
    I know many people on here are atheist or hold the Bible to be inaccurate and although I don't believe many of the OALC teachings to be true, I still want to point out that this OALC doctrine
    wasnt pulled out of thin air but has a biblical
    base.the keys to loose or bind (confession and
    absolution) are Biblically based in Mt 16:19 and
    18:18 the book of life is also Biblical. See Rev
    (21:27). As we came to know that this song was
    written by a "worldly", the OALC or laestadius
    churchs are not the only ones who believe in the
    keys. even though other denominations might not refer to it as"keys", don't most Christian faiths also believe in repentance and absolution in Jesus holy name?.... (The OALC will tell you that other denominations donot actually use absolution in Jesus's name so they are dead faiths but I know that not to be true. many do use absolution in Jesus's name). I'm not trying to get into a doctrine or denomination battle but on a fact finding mission and trying to point out both sides facts and clarify misconceptions.
    -My View

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I stated above, I have been in homes where crimes are laughed about by adults members. Like I also stated above, this behavior would be consistent with stating "we are all sinners" but actually believing the sins/crimes committed by OALC are not actually not that big of a deal.

      And as for absolution and peace, I receive it as well, just not at an OALC church.

      I am not an atheist and I do hold the BIBLE to be true, just not how the Bible is interpreted by OALC preachers. You are correct about keys being talked about, however, I do not agree only OALC has access to these "keys". You are also correct that the Book Of Life is talked about but not about angels writing names in it (as the hymn talks about).

      I have no misconceptions. I was raised OALC and am the only member of my family who is no longer OALC. I am not repeating "hearsay" but sharing experiences I have had.

      Delete
    2. *not actually that big of a deal

      Delete
    3. I didn't mean to imply that you personally were atheist, had misconceptions or anything else but was speaking in general terms.
      I will try to clarify.

      I too have heard and witnessed many immoral things go on with OALC members but I also hold many of them to be true friends with a true Christian heart and moralistic people (not all, but some). So I have a hard time when people (again, not you personally) lump them all together when talking of a specific experience. ie, one OALC kid killed a bunch of cats so all OALC kids are evil and haven't been taught right. Although I don't agree with the religiousness of the church and the established culture it created, I still have a lot of love for them and deeply care for my friends and family that go to that church.
      Note: I use the pen name My View because that is ALL it is, MY personal view; for whatever it is worth. I'm not necessarily educated, wise, or knowledgable in spiritual matters but I am ME with my experiences and unique view point that wants to be here and listen and learn from all of your viewpoints.
      -My View

      Delete
    4. "Note: I use the pen name My View because that is ALL it is, MY personal view; for whatever it is worth. I'm not necessarily educated, wise, or knowledgable in spiritual matters but I am ME with my experiences and unique view point that wants to be here and listen and learn from all of your viewpoints."

      Nicely put. I'm glad you want to be here.

      Delete
  10. My View, thanks for commenting.

    Apparently the 1977 OALC hymnal *does* list the songwriter for "Keys Are Given" .... it was a member, Fremont Ward. Later editions omit this.

    You're right, the concept of the keys is Biblical, but the Laestadian twist on it is unique (and it did not originate with Laestadius).

    Read more here from Ed's book: http://examinationofthepearl.org/html/section-0006.html#auto_bookmark_10

    (I can't seem to embed links in this comment box! Ed, how do you do it?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You surround the text you want linked with the HTML anchor tag like this. In the comment editing box on my web browser, here’s what that previous sentence actually looks like to me:

      You surround the text you want linked with the HTML anchor tag like <a> href="http://examinationofthepearl.org/html/section-0006.html#auto_bookmark_10">this</a>

      Hit “preview” to make sure it’s formatted right and to test the link. Then you can hit “Publish.”

      Delete
    2. Correction to my text above: Don’t include any “>” symbol right after the “a.” tag. It goes only after the close-quote of the hyperlink.

      Delete
  11. As long as we’re linking to EOP, I would add a reference to my discussion about the history of absolution. There may be some support for a proclamation of absolution in the “keys to the Kingdom” passage. But that’s pretty much it for absolution teachings in the entire Bible, other than a vague reference in 2 Cor. 2:10 and the pre-Christian story of Nathan and David in the Old Testament. And the Bible contains quite a bit that contradicts the idea of sins being forgiven only through some ritual act of absolution.

    Christianity seemed to ignore the whole absolution thing for a hundred years after Christ, and then very slowly came around to the idea of sins being forgiven after the “washing of regeneration” that the earliest Christian Fathers saw in baptism. Free grace, whether by some ritual act of absolution or not, really didn’t become a part of Christian doctrine until Luther’s time. Indeed, I would say the concept of forgiveness outside the priestly confessional is pretty much Luther’s invention. (There was one earlier group practicing lay absolution, the Bogomils, but not much is known about them.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EOP, thanks for the references. I am not near my Bible but if I remember right the Bible speaks a lot of repentance. Absolution I am not so sure about but I know that I had a strong spiritual experience of freedom, joy, love etc after repentance and I received the testimony of my sins forgiven in Jesus' name a blood. And if my understanding and memory serves me right, you had also felt that spirit. In your opinion, was our heart playing tricks on us? Fyi, I have also had private spiritual experience of freedom and joy so I don't agree that it can only come
      from another believer. Nor do I believe that the OALC is the one who holds these "keys" exclusively; or even inclusively.
      -My View

      Delete
  12. I noticed how each of the Laestadian group's songbooks seem to have a larger selection of songs which reflect the overall emphasis of that particular group. All of them seem to contain songs about the sinner who has gone astray into sin but all would be well if he/she would only return to the fold. With the more conservative Laestadian groups a 'return to the fold' would require a verbal enumeration of one's sin and then a pronounciation of absolution in 'Jesus' name and blood', otherwise the sinner is not forgiven. If a Laestadian leaves their group they are considered to have sinned against the congregation so forgiveness must be received from the church. But the Psalmist wrote in 51:4 that, "Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight..." Therein lies the chief difference between Laestadianism & most other conservative churches. Laestadians maintain their exclusive claim to ownership of the 'keys' or the ability to open the door to heaven whereas conservative Christianity in general would say that the truth or 'keys' of faith are open to everyone who accepts the truth and believes in their heart. My parents told me that this same issue was being hashed around back in the 1920's so not much has changed. Old AP

    ReplyDelete