Episode 184 “From Hymns to Hillsong: The Story of Christian Music in America”

May 08, 2026

Jeremiah Riner

From Psalms in colonial meeting houses to modern worship arenas, this episode explores the powerful, complicated, and deeply influential history of Christian music in America. Journey through the Great Awakenings, African American spirituals, Southern Gospel, the Jesus Movement, Contemporary Christian Music, and modern worship culture as we trace how faith has shaped the sound of a nation for over 400 years. How did worship become an industry? Where is the line between ministry and performance? And what truly makes music “Christian”? This is the story of revival, division, theology, culture, and the songs that shaped generations of believers across America.