Christ Is Our Cornerstone
Christ is our cornerstone
The hymn presents Christ as the essential foundation and binding element of the Church, emphasizing the church's organic unity in Him. It reflects Lutheran understanding of the Church as the communion of saints built upon Christ rather than human institutions.
History & Background
Medieval Latin hymn translated into English by John Chandler in 1837. The hymn celebrates the Church as God's building with Christ as the cornerstone, drawing on Ephesians 2:19-21.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Hymnal 1982 — 519
- Lutheran Service Book — 912
- Lutheran Worship — 290
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 465
Translation
Bulletin Note
A Latin hymn from the medieval period, 'Christ Is Our Cornerstone' shaped Lutheran and Reformed hymnody alike. It draws on the metaphor of Ephesians 2:20, making Christological foundation doctrine singable and memorable for congregations.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Gospel promise of Christ's person into ecclesiology: the Church's unity and permanence rest not on earthly scaffolding but on the crucified and risen Christ, who alone can calm our anxiety about institutional fragility.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's Lenten self-denial models our repentance; His victory over Satan empowers our spiritual triumph; His presence sustains us through suffering toward Easter joy and eternal paradise.
Themes
Church as living body Christ's foundational role Christian community God's eternal purpose