A tempest is brewing online.

The controversy involves the decision of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) not to include the hymn “In Christ Alone” in the forthcoming Presbyterian hymnal, “Glory to God.”

The second stanza of the hymn proclaims, “Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.” The committee saw that the line had been previously published with slightly different wording that changes the end of the phrase to “the love of God was magnified.” Initially, the committee members proposed to use those alternative lyrics, but when they sought copyright permission, the original authors refused.

The committee discussed it at length, finally voting 9-6 not to include the hymn.

A blog post published by the committee today argues against interpreting this decision as an unwillingness to acknowledge God’s judgment, noting that an entire section of the hymnal will be devoted to “Christ’s Return and Judgment.”

In May, a member of the committee, Mary Louise Bringle, explained in an article piece for the Christian Century why the committee ultimately decided not to include “In Christ Alone” in the hymnal.

The Blaze, associated with conservative commentator Glenn Beck, looked at both sides of the argument for the inclusion of the word “wrath.”

John Turner offered criticisms on Patheos.

Blogger Stephen Hoffman reflected on Calvinism and the lyric in question.

J. Barrett Lee, a self-described liberal and pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Boonville, N.Y., blogged about it.

Even ABC news reported on the story.