God Who Spoke in the Beginning

“God Who Spoke in the Beginning” is a theologically rich hymn written by Fred Kaan in 1966. Kaan was deeply concerned that congregational song should reflect the full scope of biblical revelation, and this hymn does so by tracing God’s self-disclosure from creation through Christ and into the life of the church. The text is carefully structured to show continuity between God’s creative word, His prophetic word, and His incarnate Word.

The hymn begins with the act of creation, affirming that the world exists because God spoke it into being. This reflects the biblical teaching that God’s word is active, purposeful, and powerful. Creation is not accidental or silent, but the result of divine speech. By grounding faith in God’s creative word, the hymn establishes God as sovereign and intentional.

The focus then moves to revelation and redemption. God’s word comes through the prophets and reaches its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Kaan emphasizes that Christ is not merely a teacher of God’s message, but God’s living Word, revealing God’s nature and saving purpose. This Christ-centered emphasis aligns the hymn closely with the teaching of the New Testament.

The final movement of the hymn addresses the present life of the church. God continues to speak through Scripture by the power of the Holy Spirit, calling believers to hear, respond, and obey. The hymn stresses that God’s word is not confined to the past, but remains living and active, shaping faith, worship, and mission today.

“God Who Spoke in the Beginning” is especially suitable for services that emphasize Scripture, preaching, teaching, and the authority of God’s word. Its enduring strength lies in its clear biblical framework and its call to attentive obedience. The hymn reminds the church that the God who spoke at creation still speaks today, inviting His people to listen and to live in faithful response.