Podcast

The Calling

Courtesy of Getty Music

Keith Getty Is Still Fighting the Worship Wars

How the writer of “In Christ Alone” found an adversary in Wall Street.

Keith Getty is best known for having authored “In Christ Alone,” one of the most popular modern worship songs. Still, his calling ultimately crystalized around a particular realization about worship in the modern church: “This is the first point in history that what is being sung by the church is not being decided on by the leadership of the church.” Once he recognized that, he began to seek out a way to turn the tide of how worship leaders choose their music, and what characterizes that music.

Now an independent artist, Getty’s hymns have a distinctly theological focus. By eschewing what he sees to be worldly trends and focusing on lyrical density, breadth, and depth, Getty has composed a series of hymns that churches around the world have embraced.

But Getty is just as invested in how his songs are sung in church as whether they are. He’s a proponent of congregational worship, an approach that makes the members of the church the focus of worship rather than the performers on stage.

We talked to Keith Getty about how children’s choir changed his life, the problem he has with Wall Street, and the ways he leads his own family in worship in his day to day life.

This episode of The Calling was brought to you by the Christian Standard Bible. To learn more about the Christian Standard Bible, visit CSBible.com/CT.

Click the “play” button above to listen in.

Subscribe to The Calling on iTunes.

Listen to previous episodes of The Calling.

Follow the podcast on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow our host on Twitter: Richard Clark

The Calling is produced by Richard Clark and Morgan Lee and edited by Jonathan Clauson.

Theme music by Lee Rosevere, used under Creative Commons 4.0.

Our Latest

Died: Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood

The composer of “Total Praise” worked with numerous celebrities but put the gospel first.

News

Texas Law Aims to Stop Abortion Drugs at the State Line

Neighbors can now sue each other over mail-order drugs. Pro-life advocates are divided on the tactic.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Helped a Missionary Talk About Jesus

Jennifer Park

But some believers remain wary of adapting the popular music genre for worship, so Christian K-pop isn’t going up, up, up.

Stephen Miller Is Wrong About the World

The homeland security adviser is right that the international arena is anarchic. But a devilish world order is not the solution.

News

CDC Job Uncertainty Prompts Atlanta Churches to Offer Practical Care

Laid-off employees receive job coaching, prayer support, from local congregations.

Public Theology Project

Christians, Let’s Stop Abusing Romans 13

Believers often use the passage to wave away state violence, but that’s the opposite of what Paul intended.

News

The 50 Countries Where It’s Most Dangerous for Christians in 2026

From Syria to Sudan, believers around the world face increasing oppression and persecution.

How to Do Your Own Research About Vaccines

A doctor shows how to inoculate yourself against foolishness with a shot of wisdom.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube