Featuring John Dickson, Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding
bringing the first hymn back to life.
From a scrap of parchment in the ruins of an ancient Egyptian city to the middle of a modern rock concert in the heart of America.
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the host
John Dickson
John Dickson evolved from a 90s rock band singer-songwriter into a celebrated historian, speaker, and author of over 20 books, including Bullies and Saints: An Honest look at the Good and Evil of Christian History.. John hosts Australia’s top religion podcast, Undeceptions, and holds the Jean Kvamme Distinguished Chair of Biblical Evangelism at Wheaton College. His work spans television documentaries, live talks, and academic roles at prestigious institutions like Macquarie University and Oxford, making complex ideas accessible to diverse audiences.
a world first for music, faith and history.
We've recruited world-renowned worship music creators to breathe new life into this ancient song.
the musicians
Chris Tomlin
Chris is one of the most significant creators and performers in Christian music today. Chris has sold over twelve million records and he has over seven billion streams to his name. He’s a Grammy winner with over 30 top ten hits. It’s estimated that 30 million people sing Chris’s music in churches each week. Time Magazine described him as “potentially the most often sung artist in the world.”
Ben Fielding
Ben has crossed the boundary between Christian and secular music to achieve lasting success. He has won a Grammy and three Dove Awards. He has over 200 published songs including the gold-record-making The Creed (This I Believe) which, like The First Hymn, is the translation of an ancient text into a modern worship song. It is sung all over the world and has more than 119 million plays on Spotify.
Led by a team of leading historians
A discovery with significant implications for our understanding of ancient music and early Christianity.
the historians
Stephanie Boonstra
Collections Manager at The Egypt Exploration Society and Managing Editor of the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology.
Armand D’Angour
Professor of Classical Languages and Literature, and a Fellow and Tutor in Classics at Oxford University, specializing in ancient Greek music.
Charles H. Cosgrove
Emeritus professor of early Christian literature at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the acknowledged world expert on P.Oxy 1786.
Esau McCaulley
Jonathan Blanchard Associate Professor of New Testament and Public Theology at Wheaton College.
Katherine Sonderegger
William Meade Professor of Systematic Theology, Virginia Theological Seminary
Maria Monteiro
Lecturer in Church Music, Baylor University
Mark Noll
Research Professor of History, Regent College
a spiritual and artistic triumph
That has been 1,800 years in the making.
watch
your way
Enjoy The First Hymn from the comfort of your own home or bring your community together for a special hosted screening at a location of your choice.
This is a powerful film designed to inspire and connect - whether you watch it solo or share it with others. Wherever you are in the world, these options are available to you. We’d love for you to experience and share this meaningful story in a way that fits you best!
part 1
Egypt & the United Kingdom
Host John Dickson leads us from the bustling streets of Cairo to the ancient ruins of Oxyrhynchus, where archaeologists uncovered P.Oxy 1786—the oldest known Christian hymn, complete with its music and lyrics. At Oxford University, experts reveal how this remarkable find reflects a subtle cultural rebellion, setting the stage for its modern resurrection.
part 2
Sydney & Nashville
In Sydney, John Dickson reconnects with Christian songwriter Ben Fielding to reimagine an ancient hymn, and together they enlist renowned singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin, whose global collaboration leads to the first draft of a modern worship song unveiled in Nashville. An epic recording session featuring Nashville’s top session players marks the beginning of The First Hymn, setting the stage for one final crucial step to complete the project.
part 3
Nashville & Chicago
```John Dickson moves to return The First Hymn to its church origins by finalizing the song’s mix with top producers and incorporating a Coptic singer to honor its Egyptian roots. Simultaneously, he organizes a grand concert in Chicago—with an orchestra, two choirs, and the full energy of Wheaton College’s music department—to debut the revived hymn.
