How is the hymn "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" postmillennial?
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First let's agree on what postmillennialism teaches. Christianity.com says:
Postmillennialism is an end-times view that focuses on the progressive victory and expansive influence of Christianity. It believes that we are currently living in the “Millennium” and that, during this indefinitely long period of time, Christians are tasked to extend the Kingdom of God in the world through the preaching of the gospel and the saving work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of individuals. Postmillennialists believe that, as more people are saved, the Millennium will become an increasing golden age of spiritual prosperity with uplifted social, economic, political and cultural life. The world will eventually enjoy a state of righteousness and peace hitherto unseen. Only after the completion of this period will Christ return.
The Shoe Fits
This fits with the hymn's outlook, which presents the triumph of the Gospel occurring first, followed by the coming of Christ's kingdom. Verse one focuses on the "Story" being told, followed by the darkness turning to light and finally "Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth." In verse two, the "song" is sung that puts an end to war, followed by the same refrain of the kingdom coming. Verses three and four return to the Gospel, and once again the kingdom comes after the Gospel succeeds in turning mankind to God.
But so might another
On the other hand, Roger Olson claims the hymn is postmillennialist because "The lyrics... express the belief that Christians, the church, will bring about the Kingdom of God on earth before the return of Christ." I do not read it as necessarily saying so. It could just as well be interpreted as paraphrasing Matthew's Gospel:
And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
In other words, the fact that the song speaks of the kingdom coming as a result of the Gospel being preached does not necessarily mean that Christ comes after the Millennium.
Agenda?
I was not able to find sources that say anything about the author's view on this issue. A quick glance at some of his other hymns does not show any particular bias one way or the other. He wrote mainly for Sunday school hymnals with simple lyrics along the lines of "Onward Christians Soldiers" (which he did not write), emphasizing the joy of spreading God's word. Bottom line: It's a great hymn, either way.
SUMMARY: "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" does support a postmillennialist eschatology, but this does not mean that Christians with different theological views cannot interpret it for themselves and sing it with with their whole heart. It is not known whether the author intended a postmillennialist message or simply expressed his poetry in a way that seems to lean in that direction.
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Source: stackoverflow.com
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