Archaeologists found a papyrus scrap in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, with the earliest known Christian hymn, including lyrics and musical notation. Analyzed at Oxford, it challenges traditional church history. Hosted by John Dickson, the documentary follows the hymn from desert origins to a modern worship version by Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding.
- Directors
- John Dickson, Mark Hadley
- Cast
- John Dickson, Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding, Stephanie Boonstra
- Country
- Australia
- Genre
- Documentary
- Release date
- 2025-07-31
- Studios
- Undeceptions
The First Hymn Plot and Cast
The feature-length documentary The First Hymn, hosted by Australian historian John Dickson, traces the discovery of a papyrus scrap in the ancient ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, containing the earliest known Christian hymn with both lyrics and musical notation. Analyzed at Oxford University, the find challenges traditional views of church history by revealing early believers' musical practices. The film follows the hymn's journey from its desert origins to its modern resurrection, as composers Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding transform the ancient melody into a contemporary worship piece, culminating in a live concert performance.
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