Niall Blackburn
From Christ Church Woking
So,
I was asked today where I stand on a lyric from a HIllsong song called "You'll Come". For those of you who don't know the song, the chorus is:
"You'll come
Let Your glory fall as you respond to us
Spirit rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again
You'll come"
Now the line in question is the second one. Does God reveal His glory as a response to our worship, or is our worship a response to His revelation? (Did the chicken come first, or the egg...?) Can we illicit a response from God?
A small side note, I am currently studying at Hillsong International Leadership College, and will be tracking down the pastor who is responsible for all of the lyrics theological content, to ask his view on the matter. But I thought I'd open it up to you guys (and girls), to see what sort of debate I can create, and to maybe find some new ways of viewing things :-)
The greater problem with that particular song is that it references Hosea 6:1-3, which, in context, does not appear to be a genuinely heartfelt prayer of faith to God from His devout people.
It appears to be an almost sarcastic rebuke from God against His arrogant and presumptuous people who think they can go through the motions of religious observance while their non-Levitical pseudo-priests lead the people into violence, murder, and a "steadfast love" that is as fleeting as the morning mist (Hos 6:4-11).
On the face of it there's nothing wrong with praying that God would reveal His glory; Elijah prayed as much on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-38) and God responded. But I wouldn't make a big habit out of singing songs like that because it might send an unspoken message that worship is about what God does for us rather than about God Himself.
Alex
With out wanting to read into Brookes lyrics too much, I have to say that I feel it does run inline with a lot of the preaching you hear at Hillsong Church. Generally speaking, there is a strong belief at Hillsong that God responds to our worship, service, and offerings. There is a lot of Old testament scripture used to give substance to these ideas, but I personally have to question the validity of these concepts in light of the new covenant. More specifically, Brookes lyrics suggest that the Holy Spirit wasn't been poured out sufficiently on the day of pentecost, and that it needs to be done again. I think the Matt Redman lyrics are more on track with reality, as we worship and meditate on God, our (metaphorical) eyes are open to see how glorious He already is.
"Now the line in question is the second one. Does God reveal His glory as a response to our worship, or is our worship a response to His revelation? (Did the chicken come first, or the egg...?) Can we illicit a response from God?"
Does it matter? :) Or, in other words... seems to me chickens and eggs are concurrently present. Furthermore, chickens and eggs, being concurrently present, produce more chickens and eggs... BUT, far more importantly, and irrationally... if eggs being once chickens, decide to become fried eggs... they are digested for our benefit! ;) I love where this train of thought is leading me!
New Song
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are you at Hillsong College in Sydney
You,ll Come
was written by Brooke Fraser
Matt Redman also wrote a song about this, here are the lyrics below.
This is a time for seeing and singing
This is a time for breathing You in
And breathing out Your praise
Our hearts repsond to Your revelation
All you are showing, all we have seen
Commands a life of praise
No one can sing of things they have not seen
God, open our eyes towards a greater glimpse
The glory of You, the glory of You
God, open our eyes towards a greater glimpse
Worship starts with seeing You
Worship starts with seeing You
Our hearts respond to Your revelation
Worship starts with seeing You
Worship starts with seeing You
Our hearts respond to Your revelation