Theology in Songs: Part 3 of 3

Some songs were given as examples.

1. Holy Spirit by Bryan and Katie Torwalt (as far as I can tell by my research).
Those in the podcast took exception to the idea to welcome the Holy Spirit, stating that 1.) The Holy Spirit, being God, is present everywhere already, and 2.) that He doesn't need permission to do it.  I myself and all those I questioned about this song never even entertained those thoughts.  The meaning taken is "We recognize You are here, we greet You with pleasure and courtesy, we yield to You." This is confirmed by the words in the bridge of the desire to become more aware of the presence of God.

2.  Alone by Hollyn. Their main complaint was the attitude towards God, which I definitely see.  The same terms are used to describe a relationship with God that are usually used to describe a relationship with a boyfriend. But God is not a boyfriend. It is a completely different relationship than that. Also when she calls herself a punk it takes away from the seriousness of sin. And it seems to insinuate that God should know that is just how she is and make allowance for it.  God never makes allowance for sin!  Praise God, He made provision for it!

3. Tell Your Heart to Beat Again by Danny Gokie
They didn't seem to even understand what the song was saying.  They said it sounded like it meant that we would actually be in command of our actual physical heart beating.  That ever entered my mind.

I take it to mean we can choose to wallow in emotional heartbreak or we can decide to behave outside of our feelings.  I once attended a banquet with a someone who had lost her mother and this banquet reminded her of her mother.  But instead of allowing her emotions to heal, she nursed them.  She brought a picture of her mother with her and continuously looked at it and commented about it and cried the whole night.

Even medical science has documented how the will and determination of a patient has expedited their recovery, sometimes against all odds.  It does not insinuate that we are God and can live without Him purposing it.  I take great encouragement from the idea that what happens to me does not define me and that I can be the person I am from this point forward in my life no matter what I have gone through.  With God's help, I can be restored and improved.  I can refuse to allow my emotions to carry me along, stop and breathe, and refocus on the Lord and his purposes.

They also compared the "unbeating heart" to the analogy of "dry bones" as if it was comparable to salvation.  There is no indication of this in the song.  It is a renewal of purpose, a rededication to continue the walk, not a regeneration experience.


There is actually more, so look for the bonus post!