We Have a Gospel to Proclaim
We have a gospel to proclaim
This hymn affirms the Lutheran teaching of the power of God's Word and the centrality of the Gospel in Christian faith and witness. It connects the personal joy of salvation with the imperative to share Christ's message, reflecting Reformation emphasis on sola fide and the transformative power of the Gospel.
History & Background
Written by Edward Lawlor in 1980, this contemporary hymn was published in response to the Church's Great Commission and renewed emphasis on evangelism. It has since become a popular hymn in mainline Protestant and evangelical churches worldwide.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 657
- The Hymnal 1982 — 297
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 490
Bulletin Note
Written by Edward Lawlor in 1980, this hymn unites personal faith-joy with evangelical witness, reflecting Lutheran teaching on sola fide and the Word's regenerative power in all creation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Reformation conviction that the proclaimed Word of God carries divine power—it answers human need not through human effort alone, but through the Gospel's transformative grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from separation and judgment to gracious invitation, communion, and eschatological hope
Themes
Evangelism and proclaiming the Gospel Power of God's word Joy in Christian witness Salvation and redemption