There are some songs that I hate to love.
What do I mean by that? They are songs I love. I grew up with them. I memorized them I sang them with passion. The people in my church love them. They are songs that raise the human spirit. They touch our hearts. They make us feel warm and fuzzy. They inspire us. The music is pleasant and dynamic.
What do I mean by that? They are songs I love. I grew up with them. I memorized them I sang them with passion. The people in my church love them. They are songs that raise the human spirit. They touch our hearts. They make us feel warm and fuzzy. They inspire us. The music is pleasant and dynamic.
But I HATE THEM. They are egocentric. They are theologically anemic at best and downright errant, heretical, or blasphemous at worst. Yet, because they are ingrained in our church culture, undiscerning people are filled with false doctrines.
So I hate them; I hate it that I love them.
This song should not be sung in church.
*****
Here’s one that rears its ugly head every few years. It was performed at the 9-11 memorial service a few years ago and this year the world thrilled over it once again at the ungodly display of a man in Washington who thinks He is god, hosting another man (the Pope) from South America who thinks He is god, to bring about worldwide peace and love among heathens who don’t care about God.
Let There Be Peace On Earth is a BAD hymn. It is liberation theology. It anticipates the glorious end of the earth when all people will live in love and drink Coca-Cola while they "teach the world to sing in perfect harmony."
It deifies mankind. The premise of the song doesn’t begin with God; it begins with me. This heavenly peace on earth is achievable because, if every one of us will just dedicate ourselves to the goal, we can make it happen.
It smacks of universalism. I hate to break this to you but, God is NOT the father of all men and we are NOT all brothers. God is the Father of His elect and Satan is the father and god of everyone else. So, as a Christian, as much as I might try, I cannot walk together in perfect harmony with unbelievers.
And what about this peace? Is this peace really meant to be? What does that even mean? Who meant it to be? Was it God? If so, then why don’t we have it? Maybe God is impotent and we have to do His work for Him. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done.
This song is classified as a Christmas song, perhaps because of the phrase “peace on earth.” But when the angel appeared to the Shepherds and declared “peace on earth; goodwill toward men,” he wasn’t just mouthing a mushy Hallmark sentiment. He was declaring that, with the advent of the Messiah (God’s goodwill toward men), we can now be at peace with God. That peace was achieved at Calvary; it is a done deal and that is evidenced by the fact that God doesn't just kill us all but, instead, has provided a way for some to be reconciled to Him. And someday, Jesus Christ will return, take his throne, and rule over all the earth for 1000 years of peace. He will do it; we cannot. And, no matter how hard He tries, neither can King Obama.
This is a lousy Christmas Carol and a terrible, unbiblical Christian hymn but, other than that, it is a really great song. Please, can somebody write some better lyrics? Until then, let's keep it out of our churches.
I remember this one from my high school days -- Back then I was a pagan and didn't think anything of it. But you are right -- it needs to be trashed.
ReplyDeleteIf I may comment on another of 'the Olde songs' that I find non-Biblical
ReplyDelete- 'The Old Rugged Cross'
- 'the old rugged cross' - My focus is upon HE who died for me upon the cross, not to have a physical remembrance of the means of HIS death \ why not sing about 'The Precious Robe'
- 'Till my trophies as last I lay down' - I have NO trophies, I have been given "grace through faith"
- 'and exchange it someday for a crown' - IF I get 'a crown', it will be given unto me by my "Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. This very much goes along with the message of Jesus Christ and his ultimate love to all mankind and the world. The love of Christ should transform us in such a way that we love all of creation and yes it should begin with me/us/ the church. Christ said you will know his disciples by the love they have for one another. To love their enemies and to do good to those who spitefully use them believers and non believers included. God is love and I see no evidence or your discipleship or love in the words of this page. It saddens me to think that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven some how does not compute with modern day Christianity. Christ came to bring the Kingdom of God hear to earth and although it is at hand we refuse to let peace and love begin in us.
ReplyDeleteThe answers you are looking for are found in the “Gospel of the Twelve” the love commands of Jesus can be found there. If you ever wondered about the mystery of what happened on the mount of transfiguration here it is. I encourage you to be a disciple of Christ and his love shed abroad for all the world.
Peace my brother.
To The Essene Disciple -
ReplyDeleteWho are you? What are your doctrinal beliefs? I don't often publish anonymous comments to my blog posts unless I know the writer and I believe that his identity would bring unneccessary harm.
In your case, I am making a one-time exception. Thank you for your sloppy slathering of holy happycrap and man-caused universal peace. Almost everything you wrote in your comment supports the very reasons I reject this song for Christian worship.
From here on out, for the sake of my blog readers, I will delete your comments and I will not debate any issues with you unless you reveal your identity publically (or privately if your safety is in jeopardy).
Ralph,
DeleteThanks for that outstanding response! You gave me a good chuckle. I had to look up the "gospel of the twelve" just to see where this goofy stuff came from. This "Essene Disciple" demonstrates his complete ignorance of the Bible.