I was mildly surprised and more than a little pleased to see that the American Episcopal church celebrates today as a feast for Isaac Watts. Looking a bit deeper I found he is also acknowledged, although a day earlier in both the Church of England and the Lutheran churches.
He is known in many different circles for various achievements, logician, theologian, and hymnodist, sometimes even called the “father of English hymnody.” But, he wasn’t an Anglican. He was a nonconformist, ordained a presbyterian minister, and, most importantly, theologically a Unitarian or at most an Arian. If you doubt it a simple google search will turn up some serious ranting against him and his hymns in certain circles.
As Watts remains so popular in so many Christian churches one could think of his Unitarianism as his little secret.
Of course, he continues to live in many hearts thanks to some pretty memorable hymns.
And certainly as the season turns toward the Christmas holiday, I like this little video clip of Isaac Watts’ Joy to the World insinuating itself into the heart of mammon.
A sneaky message about how joy is born into our hearts in spite of ourselves…
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