Christ thought of me Above All!

This song was made popular by Michael W. Smith but was written by Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc.  I remember hearing Michael W. Smith sing it for the first time at the Billy Graham Crusade in Louisville many years ago.  Anyway, this is a very popular song with a nice message.  However, like many songs sung by Evangelicals today this is not a completely biblically accurate song.  The line is [God] “thought of me above all.”  Did the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ take place because he thought of us above all?  Or did he do this for his own glory and because he was he thought of his Father above all?  Here is what Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace says about this song:

There are a number of things about this song I really like. The melody is enjoyable to sing and easy to remember. It does a great job emphasizing God’s sovereign rule over all, and focusing on the sacrifice of Christ. The poetic images are engaging and the harmonic progression is creative. But two parts bother me, both near the end of the song. The first is the line “you took the fall.” It seems like an understated way of describing what Jesus did. Not wrong, but not the best. The other problem is the line, “and thought of me above all.” I have no question that Jesus loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20). But he didn’t think of me “above all.” Jesus went to the cross to satisfy God’s righteous judgment against a sinful humanity. He thought of his Father’s holiness, justice, and glory above all. It may seem like a theological nuance, but it’s the difference between our faith being man-centered and God-centered. I don’t think that’s what the writers intended, but I think it could cause some confusion in people’s minds. Besides, I think we have other songs that better articulate Jesus died for because he loved us and for his Father’s glory. But, thanks for suggesting it, and please let me know if you have any other thoughts!

I know this is a popular song so I am not expecting a favorable response from visitors who read this post.  Here are the lyrics to this song.

Above All

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth

Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth

Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

One thing is true.  Christ does definitely love us and God did send his Son to purchase our redemption.  This is true.  I affirm it and thank God for it.  However, this songs looks at this fact as if we are the primary characters in history and the redemption story.  We are most definitely the beneficiaries.  However, we are not the center of the story.  Just as we are not what the Bible is about.  It is all about God.  Yes, we are characters in it and God loves us.  Yes! to all of that.  However, the story of the Bible and the story of redemption is about God.  So, while Christ loves us, he did not think about us above all when he went to the cross.  I point you to the high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17.  He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”  We are in that prayer but we are not primary.  Notice that the primary concern is God’s glory — that the Son would get glory and that the Father would get glory.  We are part of the story.  We are the recipients of eternal life, but that is secondary to God’s glory in this prayer of Jesus.  So, if we are seondary in the prayer, it would be incorrect to say that God was thinking of us ABOVE ALL.  Yes, He loves us and thought of us….but not ABOVE ALL.  The primary concern in Christ’s prayer was the glory given to the Father and the Son.  Soli Deo Gloria.   And I’m thinkful to be a beneficiary of God getting glory.

A Bible for Every Believer

When was the last time you bought a Bible?  Do you have mutiple Bibles in your home?  If you are like most Christians in America, you probably have multiple copies of multiple versions and even some study Bibles as well.  There are many Christians around the world who have no Bible but long to have a copy.  Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has as its goal to give a Bible to every believer in a hostile or restricted nation who wants one.  Some Christians have been waiting for as long as 10 years for a Bible.

It is amazing that 150,000 followers of Christ have asked VOM for a Bible.  These names were obtained through local pastors in restricted and hostile nations.  Will you join in sponsoring this project by donating funds for some Bibles for these believers?  You can sponsor five Bibles for just $30 or you can give more to sponsor more Bibles.  Once you decide how many Bibles you are going to sponsor, VOM will send you the list of names of those that you are sponsoring to get Bibles.  You will then be able to pray for these believers specifically that God’s Word would strengthen them and their faith.

You can learn more about this, donate, or track the project by clicking here.

“Remember” Saeed Abedini

Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”  This text is about how to live your Christian life in brotherly love towards other Christians.  It could not be clearer.  We are to remember those in prison.  We do this by praying for them, working for their release, and attempting to encourage them.

As of two days ago, Saeed Abedini was still in prison in Iran.  You can read about him here.  He is in prison for sharing his faith while his family is in the USA wondering when or if he will be released.  Please take his situation to the throne of grace.  Pray for his release.  Pray for comfort for his family. Pray that his mistreatment would end.  Pray for his health.  ”Remember” this brother in Christ who is in prison for living our his faith in Christ.

Attachment Disorder in Christians

Hopefully, you know what Reactive Attachment Disorder is.  If not I recommend you read this book for a simple overview.  It is not the greatest book but it gives you a simple overview of it.  If you want to learn more about it, please let me know and there are many other books I recommend on the topic.

Basically, RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) is where an adopted child does not trust parents and family and does everything possible to irritate their adoptive family.  You see, they think that they are worthless and that they are going to be rejected eventually by their adoptive families.  These kids want to be in control of that rejection and do everything in their power to try to go ahead and make the rejection happen, which they see as ultimately inevitable.

I was thinking about this recently.  They see themselves as worthless because of how their biological parents treated them or how they were treated in the orphanage.  In the end, they live as if they are still orphans trying to take care of themselves rather than trusting their adoptive parents to take care of them.  Christians have also been adopted.  We have a Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  The inheritance we have with Christ is immeasurable.  But how often do we still live like orphans and try to take care of ourselves in our own way and in our own strength rather than trusting God who has adopted us.

RAD kids would rather eat a dry sandwich than a steak dinner if they don’t have to depend on parents to get the meal.  It kills them to ask parents for anything.  How often do we eat a “dry moldy sandwich” instead of the steak dinner that God has prepared for us because we try to solve our circumstances and our problems our way instead of asking God and waiting on Him to rescue us.  Let us trust our heavenly Father.  Let us trust Him.  Let us make our request made known to Him.  Let’s not rely on ourselves like an adoped kid with Reaction Attachment Disorder.  SDG

You Ask Me How I Know He Lives……

There is a song that is dear to many and has been loved by the church for many years.  The verses go like this:

Verse 1

I serve a risen Saviour; He’s in the world today,

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer

And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

Verse 2

In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.

I know that He is leading, thro’ all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing will come at last.

Verse 3

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

And here is the beloved chorus:

Chorus

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. (Emphasis added)

This song is sung by many far and wide especially on Easter.  It is a great reminder of how Christ is intimately involved in our daily struggles and is there to comfort and sustain us.  It reminds of us the salvation He purchased for us and the reasons we have to rejoice in Him.  It is a reminder that He lives!  And indeed He is alive.  I echo with the church, “He is risen!  He is risen indeed!”

I also have some consternation every time I come to the lyrics at the end of the chorus, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”  I know He lives but my response to that question is not what the song says.  Here are my reasons for thinking that the lyrics of that last line are not good.

1. It reinforces the fact-value dichotomy.

In our culture people have come to believe that there are two realms of truth.  There are truths that are facts and there are truths “true to you” but may not be “true for me.”  For our culture “value” of the fact-value dichotomy is subjective.  What is true for one person may not be true for another.  This is a false dichotomy because values are based on truth.  Truths that are in the Bible are true and are not relative but the fact-value dichotomy places truths from the Bible in the value category which is subjective.  So to say that you know something is true because “He lives within your heart” merely reinforces this dichotomy in this culture because everyone can have their own truth in their own heart.  It does not have to based on any objective truth.  We cannot allow society to relegate the fact of the resurrection to the value category when it is a fact.  In essence, this hymn is leading Christians to concede that it is not objective truth but subjective.  Christians do not think that the resurrection is a subjective matter but unintentionally make it so by singing these words.

2. The Resurrection is Objective Fact, Not Subjective Belief

There are many factual reasons to believe the resurrection really happened.  There is no reason to give the reason of “He lives within my heart.”  First of all, he doesn’t live in your heart because it is full of blood and He is a spirit and does not have a body like men who dwell in the material world and time-space constraints.  There are historical reasons to believe the resurrection.  There are accounts in the Bible and there are other accounts of people that have been preserved throughout centuries.  There is cultural internal evidence.  For example, the fact that women were the first ones that witnesses his resurrection.  Why would people who were considered second class citizens in that culture be the first ones to witness the resurrection if it did not happen?  If it were a fabricated story people high in society to have witnesses it in order to give it credibility.  Why women?  That is so unlikely.  Probably because of the fact that the resurrection really happened and it was really witnessed the way it is recorded in Scripture.  The most important reason that we know that He lives is that the Bible says so.  As Christians we are people of the Book, the Word of God.  If the Bible says it happened, then it happened.  Sometimes you may not feel warm fuzzies in your heart on your hardest of days or when you are not in intimate fellowship with God but that does not make the fact of the resurrection any less true.  If Word says it’s true, it is true regardless of what you think you know within your heart.  After all, my heart is desperately wicked.  Who can know it?

3. Our hearts are wicked

We should not base our reasons for believing something based on a feeling, especially a feeling in our heart.  Our hearts are desperately wicked.  Who can know it?  Our hearts can easily deceive us and we should not make life and death judgements based on feeling from our hearts.  We should be reasonable reasoning people who have faith based on objective facts.  Come let us reason.  Not, come let us feel.  Let us be reasonable about our faith and the object of our faith.  God has given us the ability to reason so we should use that ability.   Don’t put your faith in a feeling.

I understand that all of what I’ve just written is hard to express in one line of a song.  I also understand that it was not written in a post modern age but it is being sung by post moderns that understand words in post modern ways.  I believe that we must be very careful about the lyrics we lead people to sing.  We need to reinforce to people that the resurrection is objective fact.  In the fact-value false-dichotomy it is fact, not value (subjective truth).  I believe that this is objectively true.  What do you think?  Do you love this song or does the last line of that chorus bother you too?

Your Adopted Child’s Back-Story

There is an interesting article at Christianity Today called “Why My Child’s Backstory is None of Your Business” by Megan Hill.  She brings out some good points worth noting if you are an adoptive parent.  The core of her message is that you need to be very careful about what you share regarding your child’s story.  Do you openly share about your child’s pre-adoption life?  If your child was abandoned or abused by biological parents prior to the adoption do you share that with everyone?  If your child was a crack baby, is that information you guard closely or do you tell everyone?  If the child was orphaned due to both parents dying of AIDS do you tell everyone this fact?  Behind every adoption there is some sort of trauma story that resulted in the child being separated from her biological parents.  Some stories will be more traumatic than others but all include some level of trauma.  All have some component to their story that you may want to keep close the vest and not share with others.

Megan Hill makes the point in her article that the child may not even know his own story yet and the parents are tweeting it.  The story then is part of your child’s digital footprint forever and the child may not even want their story shared.  Her point is that it is not your (the adoptive parent’s) story but it belongs to your child.  They are real people with real rights and their feelings and history should be respected just like anyone else’s.  Don’t go tweeting about your child back-story.  Respect their privacy.  Treat them like you would expect to be treated.  If you were the victim of sexual abuse, would you want that fact posted all over the internet?  What if your mom died of AIDS?  Would you want to advertize that fact?

There is a danger of going too far in protecting the child’s privacy also.  As an adoptive parent I would recommend a balanced approach about your child’s back-story.  Here are some general rules that I would recommend you use as you determine how to handle this.

1. Distinguish between the facts that should be public or private in the story.  If your child is from Russia, that is probably nothing that you need to keep a secret but if your child has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome because the mom lived on Vodka during her pregnancy, you probably want to guard that information.  Obviously we just need to be reasonable here.  If there are facts that are intensely personal you should err on the side of caution and keep them to yourself.

2. As your child gets older, you should decide at some point to give them authority over their story.  Let them decide, with your advice and wisdom, what they should and should not share about their story.  If there are parts of their story that might be considered too personal I would always ask my children before sharing their back-story.  At the same time, facts such as where they are from or what people group they identify with are not withheld and in fact they are proud to share that information with anyone and everyone they meet.  My children do not want to hide the fact that they are adopted.  They are proud of the fact that their mom and dad loved them enough to travel around the world to adopt them and bring them home.  It becomes clear as they talk what they feel comfortable with sharing and what they don’t.  Sometimes you may need to caution them saying that what they just shared is part of their story that they might want to keep private or them might regret sharing it later in life.

3. If your child has destructive or outlandish behavior as a result of their live experiences it would be wrong to withhold that information in certain instances.  If you know that your child likes to burn things down and he goes to stay with a friend, the friend’s parents should know.  If your child likes to torture pets, then your friends should know before she goes to stay with them.  In these cases, it is unfortunate but the child’s story must be shared in order to protect the homes and pets of friends.  These are just two examples.  I am sure you can think of others.  This does not mean that you share ALL.  Just share enough of their back-story for your friends to understand what they need to know in order to protect themselves, your child, and others from harm.

Well, those are my thoughts on sharing your adopted child’s back-story.  Having been an adoptive parent for over 10 years now these are the types of rules that I have tried to follow.  Are you an adoptive parent?  How do you handle your child’s back-story?

Still Small Voice

Do you ever hear Christians talking about trying to hear what God is saying in a still small voice through all the noise of life? We have to try really hard to listen in order to hear what God is saying in that still small voice. Turn the radio off in your car and get rid of all distractions so you can hear what God is saying to you….in that still small voice.

Do you know the origin of that expression or is it something that you have just assumed because you hear it so much at church and in evangelicalism? It actually comes from 1 Kings 19:13 where God spoke to Elijah at the entrance to the cave in a still small voice (or “whisper” in NASB). You remember the story. The wind passed through the mountains but God was not in the wind. After the wind was an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake was fire but the Lord was not in the fire. After that God spoke to Elijah in a whisper.

From this we somehow think that we have to try really hard to hear what God is saying to us because He is whispering and making His message hard to hear or discern. I find it strange that this is the part of the text that so many preachers will jump on and make huge points out of. Looking at the entirety of Scripture I don’t think that we can say that God only speaks in a still small voice and that we really need to try hard to hear what He is saying. This is an exegetical fallacy.

God does not couch his messages in ways that we have to try really hard to understand (although exposition is hard work). The message is not difficult to understand. It is more often difficult to obey His message but the message itself is usually quite clear. God spoke to Moses from a burning bush. God’s message to Moses was quite clear but Moses did not want to obey. The obedience and trusting in God is difficult but to hear the message is not. God spoke to Balaam through a donkey and the message was quite clear. Does this mean we should go looking for burning bushes and talking donkeys in order to hear what God is saying? Absolutely not. God spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus. Again, His message to Saul was quite clear.

In our day, God speaks to people through His Word. There is no small voice we need to listen for. If you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you and of course He will speak to you but the mode that God uses to communicate His truths to you is His Holy Word. Forget about focusing on hearing that still small voice and read the Bible. If the Holy Spirit convicts you to repent of a sin in your life as a result of the truths in the Bible, then REPENT. Don’t listen for a whisper. Just DO IT. God commands us to share the Gospel with others. Don’t wait for a whisper for who to share with. Evangelize those that God puts in your life and opportunities arise. Said another way, share the Gospel as part of your daily life as you encounter divine appointments God places in your life.

Please don’t wait for that still small voice. Wouldn’t you love it if God put his message to you on a billboard so that there was no mistaking what you are to do? Well, He has. It is not a billboard but it is called the Bible. Read it. It is clear. It is how the living God communicates to us. There is no guess work here. God speaks clearly and we must obey.