The First Hymn

In the ancient ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, archaeologists unearthed a papyrus scrap containing the earliest known Christian hymn, complete with both its lyrics and musical notation. Analyzed at Oxford University, this discovery challenges traditional views of church history by revealing the rich musical practices of early believers. Hosted by Australian historian John Dickson, the feature-length documentary “The First Hymn” chronicles the hymn’s journey from its desert origins to its modern resurrection, as acclaimed composers Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding transform the ancient melody into a contemporary worship piece, culminating in a live concert performance.

Country:

Australia

Genre:

Documentary

Duration:

87 minutes

Year:

2025

Director:

John Dickson

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Company:

Undeceptions

Cast:
John Dickson

Chris Tomlin

Ben Fielding

Stephanie Boonstra

Crew:
John Dickson

Director

Mark Hadley

Director

Mark Hadley

Producer

Maia Hadley

Producer

Mark Hadley

Writer