Despite many good lyrics from Casting Crowns I was seriously disappointed by the bridge of this song. After clearly explaining that the world needs as opposed to what some Christians offer to the world, the lyrics go a little to far, into the wrong area:
People aren't confused by the gospel,
1 Cor. 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing...
They're confused by us.
2 Cor. 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
Jesus is the only way to God,
But we are not the only way to Jesus.
Rom. 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how
can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can
they hear without someone preaching to them?
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie,
My denomination, or my translation of the Bible,
They just need Jesus.
We can be passionate about what we believe,
But we can't strap ourselves to the gospels.
2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing
power is from God and not from us.
Because we're slowing it down
Eph. 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
Jesus is going to save the world,
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way.
1 Thess. 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
2 comments:
I have really enjoyed reading your blog these last few weeks Kyle. I also agree with your concern with the lrics with this song from "Casting Crowns". In the past I have really loved alot of their songs messages.
However, this one seems to rub me the wrong way. It creates a false dichotomy of how the gospel is proclaimed. In some ways the lyrics remind me of some of the complaints many "emergent" writers and speakers are saying.
The problem is "doctrine" is neccessary for anyone to come to Jesus or know anything about him.
Secondly,(and more importantly) this song seems to completely disregard the doctrine of "total depravity" and presupposes that those who are lost want to love God and just don't know how and the Church is some how keeping them from coming to Him.
This doctrine is perhaps the doctrine that is most forgotten and needed in American Evangelicalism. Your thoughts and comments?
Well said, Stephen. It does create a false dichotomy and it is very reminiscent of emergent ideals.
It also does ignore Total Depravity in suggesting we are impeding mem from coming to God. Men come only to God as the Spirit draws them. If He's drawing someone that I am doing a poor job of witnessing to, not even that can stop the Spirit's work.
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