| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14106 Registered: 12-2003  |
We just received the latest edition of Westwinds, the alumni paper from Walla Walla University. It contains an article on the 50 anniversary of the Cassavant organ in the College Church. In honor of the celebration, organ professor Kraig Scott and senior pastor of the University church Alex Bryan wrote a hymn that:
That is the description of the hymn written by Bryan and Scott. Here are the words of the hymn which was sung on that ceremonial Sabbath when they celebrated organ's and the church building's 50th anniversary:
Does anyone else see anything wrong with this song? To be sure, it's got many plays on words, but just looking at the ways they dealt with God and where and how He is found, do you have problems with this? Sigh. I'm not surprised, but this really is kinda blatant in its lack of orthodoxy... Colleen | ||
| Mkfound Registered user Username: Mkfound Post Number: 198 Registered: 1-2011 |
I'm not sure if I'm getting it right, but I'm seeing 'God is one with nature' or maybe even 'God is nature' as a theme. I found it very difficult to understand, so maybe I'm wrong. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14107 Registered: 12-2003 |
Yes, I see that, too, MK. I noticed in verse three, for example, that they referenced the Olympic Peninsula (the Olympic rain forest is in Washington), and the Blue Mountains where WWU students go to ski in the winter and the locals hike in the summer. But they've overtly stated that the lovely Lamb is held in the Olympic lands (and I believe there's probably a veiled reference there to Mt Olympus, the place where the Greek Pantheon was said to reside). Next they say that the great I Am is "in the mountains Blue". God is not in the mountains. He made the mountains. It is paganism and pantheism to suggest that God is in nature. He created nature; nature declares His divine nature and eternal power, but they are declarations of His creative nature, not places where He Is. I know they were playing with words and feeling very clever, but they said things that are anti-biblical. They are actually anti-Christian. And to say God "excels in grand thought" is to diminish God. Grand thought is one of Adventism's icons; they pride themselves on philosophical debate. (Remember those Contemporary Issues Sabbath School Classes?) God is not about "grand thought", as if we could somehow tap into His thought and share His "storied wisdom" and "acumen", or His stored-up knowledge. Of course, this idea is what drives Adventist education and even vegetarianism: having a clear mind so one can perceive God. God is the living Word. We don't look for "vision fresh" for our places of learning. Education is not the path to enlightenment. Knowing Jesus is life and light; it has nothing to do with "grand thought" or with finding Him in nature. Life and light are possible only when we submit to Jesus and repent, receiving His blood as payment for our sin. Developmentally disabled people, people with chronic illnesses, people with learning disabilities—ALL are able to know Him without ever having "grand thoughts" or "vision fresh" or trekking the trail of education with boldness. And He is not in His creation. He is outside and over His creation, and we are completely under His sovereign dominion. Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 8054 Registered: 9-2006  |
When I read the song some scripture came to mind. It starts at I Corinthians 15:33 and runs to I Corinthians 15:50. Corinthians I 15:50 But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom, nor does corruption inherit incorruptibility. Obviously hymns sang to the glory and praise of God do have value, but the song lacks spiritual value. Of course this should not surprise us that it does not bear the marks of spirituality. They try, but give away their pedigree. It has the markedly earthy flavor. Someone said recently that they have had years to try to prefect sounding evangelical. Yes, they have, but then give themselves away in one fell swoop. That, that is of the earth is earthy and that, that is of heaven is heavenly and any attempts to disguise oneself who has not been born of the spirit has the smell of death on them. River | ||
| Rain Registered user Username: Rain Post Number: 100 Registered: 9-2011  |
I thought it was a confusing read at first too. I see where you guys are coming from now, though. I'm okay with attributing God with thought. The Bible attributes a lot of things to God that, as far as I know, we can only attach human-like characteristics to: wisdom, strength, understanding, knowledge, etc. It seems very hard to use any words to describe God without putting him in a box. Am I wrong? | ||
| Animal Registered user Username: Animal Post Number: 1021 Registered: 7-2008  |
i think all our descriptive words concerning Diety will fall way short of reality, But God understands the meanings of our attempts to express in words our thoughts about Him. Just like when we pray. Animal...aint God good !!! |
