Question

who wrote the oldest surviving christian hymn

Answer 1

The oldest surviving Christian hymn is often attributed to St. Ambrose, a bishop of Milan in the 4th century, who is known for his contributions to hymnal tradition in the Western Church. However, if we consider hymns that date back even earlier, some of the texts from the New Testament, such as the "Hymn of Christ" in Philippians 2:6-11, are some of the earliest forms of Christian hymns. Although the authorship of these texts is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, the exact origins and form of these early hymns are complex and not definitively established.

In summary, while St. Ambrose is significant in the history of Christian hymnody, the earliest Christian hymns may be rooted in the New Testament writings.