We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

More Hillsong Theo-eroticism

One of the more popular songs invading churches during worship is Hillsong’s Oceans.  The trouble with this song, as with so many, it that there are some good (well, okay) lyrics which become subtly undermined by what is becoming known as “theo-eroticism” (i.e., “Jesus/God is my boyfriend/lover” theology).  That is what we have with this song. 

Unlike the way I normally do citations in blue, I’m going to leave this one without colors except for the theo-eroticism (red) and the obligatory mindless repetition (blue).

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
Hillsong United, Songwriters: Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthelm

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, 
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, 
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine


Neither Jesus nor God are YOURS.  That is the big problem with this song. I understand poetic ideas of being in God’s embrace, but when they add in “I am Yours and You are mine” it now sounds like you are talking to a lover.

I realize this is a minor issue, but remember, “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” People who listen to this song and find succor in it really need to realize that they should never place emotions about truth.

We should NEVER use Hillsong material either for congregational worship or even private listening because Hillsong is the home of false teaching. If you need an explanation as to why it is necessary to avoid ALL of Hillsong material, I suggest you read my article here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

all I am his and he is mine means is that his salvation and gifts are mine. I am his because I TRUST HIM! It has nothing to do with emotional experience at all. Yes I do belong to Christ, and there is nothing wrong with saying that! Praise the Lord! Where would I or any of us be without Him? This song just reiterates the fact that God has promised to never leave or forsake us in our trials.....and that we can walk close to Him in the midst of them. God allows us to go through things in life to test our faith, and we either get out of the boat so to speak and live out our faith or just leave it in our heads without living out the reality of out faith. The choice s our and THAT is what this song is saying. It does not mean I am having a wrong kind of inappropriate love feeling or whatever you are thinking of towards God. Yes, I do love Him, but that DOES NOT MEAN I look at Jesus like a boyfriend! I show my love to Him by obeying hi Word and living out the realty of my faith and sharing Christ with those who have not yet trusted Him!

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

The context of "I am Yours and You are mine" doesn't state what you say. You may think that is what it means for YOU, but when the lyrics are not clear they lead to all sorts of ideas, and the context being that the song comes from Hillsong leads one to belief it is indeed all about "Jesus is my boyfriend" because many of their songs are that genre.

You just state what the song means to YOU, not what the song means in general.

Don't defend Hillsong; they are aberrant, heretical and downright cultic.

dave b said...

This is because the churches have become the largest purveyors of feminist ideology. The songs are written with only a female audience in mind, and its a feminist female audience in mind at that. And yes, its an "audience" since these songs are not written to be sung by a congregation but to be put on as a concert. And because its intended for a feminist audience, there is also a Leftist tinge to it: " Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders" without borders, eh?