A Mighty Fortress is Our God performed by Koine
The Story Behind the Song
“On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany. That date was sometimes called the “4th of July of Protestantism.” It symbolized the start of the Protestant Reformation.
And the single most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation Movement was Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” based on Psalm 46. This hymn became the battle cry of the people, a great source of strength and inspiration even for those who were martyred for their convictions. Its majestic and thunderous proclamation of our faith is a singing symbol of the reformation.
This hymn has been translated into practically every known language and is regarded as one of the noblest and most classic examples of Christian hymnody. The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg, Germany.
Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music. Once he wrote, “I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.”
About the Performers
Koiné’s humble roots originate in the heartland of America, in a city known for its rich German history, its famous barley and hops, and many festivals – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s here that five unique artists, each with their own talents and abilities, came together in 2003 to put a new twist on traditional, Christian music. Staring at each other, blankly, with their instruments in one hand and their hymnals in the other, Koiné set about reinventing the way we listen to hymns.
To date, Koiné has toured across 35 states since its inception, producing 5 studio albums and a repertoire of over 250 hymns and liturgical pieces. They sell their CD’s all over the world in places as far Germany, Australia and Hong Kong. This year alone, Koiné will play around 200 events at churches, community festivals, grade schools, high schools, and colleges. This is a full-time ministry for the members of the group, and is supported almost entirely by the generosity of people who come to their events.
The group consists of: Brian Davison – singer, Tracy Fedke – singer, Seth Bauer – piano, Seth Kock – drums, Benj Lawrenz – guitar, and Matt Scott – Bass.
Koiné is a Greek word that means “common.” Koiné Greek was the language that the New Testament was originally written in. It was a common language for the common man – everyone could understand it. The members of Koiné are common people too. They play common instruments and common hymns that many know and enjoy. The only extraordinary thing about Koiné and what they do is the message that they proclaim through the music they play, the same message of the Bible – Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
For up-to-date information on Koine become a friend on Facebook and visit www.koinemusic.com