Every generation produces famous hymn writers - the 17th Century gave us Isaac Watts, the 18th Century Charles Wesley, and in the 19th it was America's musical dream team, Moody and Sankey.

Each of these with their distinctive style raises questions about what makes a good hymn and how effective music can be in expressing religious faith.

On All Things Considered this week (Sunday 24 August at 8.30am, repeated Wednesday 27 August at 6.30pm) there's another chance to hear Peter Baker's interview with Stuart Townend, a man who is making his own contribution to that debate within the contemporary music scene.

His name may not be familiar to many, but his work rarely needs an introduction, appealing right across the Christian traditions with hymns like How Deep the Father's love for us, Beautiful Saviour and In Christ Alone.