There’s always a worse worship song out there than the last one you thought had plumbed the depths. Today the bar was lowered further as I was confronted by what I can only hope is exceedingly disposable. Shame, really, as the title was promising: “Filled with compassion for all creation”. (And I quite like, for example, the same authors’ “All heaven declares”)
But unfortunately, despite the good intentions of the chorus, (”Stir us to action, Filled with Your passion, For all the people who live on the earth) the bad theology just mounts up.
- “There was but one way that He could save us” Really? So much for divine freedom, grace and election.
- “Having no Saviour they’re lost forever, If we don’t speak out and lead them to You” Well I guess we could debate the different ways in which evangelism relates to salvation, but this really does make it all depend on us.
To this point, this song is no worse than many, and charitable interpretations are possible of the lines that I’ve scorned. But what really makes it unacceptable is its appalling conclusion:
From every nation we shall be gathered
Millions redeemed shall be Jesus’ reward
Then He will turn and say to His Father
Truly my suffering was worth it all
At the moment, apparently, Jesus isn’t sure right now that the cross was worthwhile, but when we’ve shown just how good we are at evangelism, he’ll feel rewarded by what God does with our efforts, and say “Wow, Dad, thanks for blessing all that evangelism, it actually feels like the cross was, well, you know, okay.”
Truly, Mr Brain has left the building.
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