If you grew up in an evangelical Sunday School, you may remember singing Jesus Loves Me and then singing Jesus Loves Me - “the new way”. The “new way” had a different tune and a few new words.
Every now and then, a popular evangelical song pops into my head that causes me to think to myself…”that needs some new words.”
We are in a very man-centered religious culture that likes to think of God in a way that man prefers. Man prefers a God who is more like himself than the God who said: “I am that I am”. Man by nature (sinful and rebellious) would prefer to bring some sort of acceptable sacrifice to God as Cain tried and failed. As Cain, man does not see his case as completely hopeless and worthy of death. At that point, the only hope for man is a substitute provided by God alone (the animal slain and coverings made for Adam and Eve, the lamb sacrificed by Abel, the lamb of God - Jesus).
Popular evangelical songs often reflect a man-centered view of God and salvation in such subtle ways. It is important to compare them with scripture. The danger in these songs is that the subtle doctrines of wolves are sneaked in to steal and to kill by turning men ever so slightly away from Christ the lamb of God as God’s provision for the salvation of His sheep. God’s rescue of man’s soul is to the praise of the glory of His grace alone.
Often, evangelical songs contain a theme which seems to say, “to the praise of the glory of my choice”, rather than “to the praise of the glory of His grace”. One such song that became popular among a certain sect of evangelicals is called “The Whippoorwill Song”. It is hard for me to read the words and even harder for me to type them here because of the blatant adding to scripture and twisting of scripture that is prevalent in the song. But it is popular and bolsters a subtle twist on the gospel that I think is deadly, steals from God His glory, and makes man to be in charge. In my opinion, it must be called heretical, and I hope to help those deceived by its lies see the truth of scripture and the glory of God in His salvation.
Here are the words:
Verse 1:
I set the boundaries of the ocean vast, (Ps 74)
Carved out the mountains from the distant past, (Job 28)
Molded a man from the miry clay, (Gen 2:7)
Breathed in him life, but he went astray. (Gen 3)
Chorus:
I own the cattle on a thousand hills; (Ps 50)
I write the music for the whippoorwills,
Control the planets with their rocks and rills,
But give you freedom to use your own will. (Man’s philosophy to excuse God for damning men)
Verse 2:
I hold the waters in my might hand, (Is 40)
Spread out the heavens with a single span, (Is 40)
Make all creation tremble at my voice, (Ps 18)
But my own sons come to Me by choice. (Pelagius, Erasmus, Arminius, Finney, Graham)
Chorus:
I own the cattle on a thousand hills;
I write the music for the whippoorwills,
Control the planets with their rocks and rills,
But give you freedom to use your own will. (Pelagius, Erasmus, Arminius, Finney, Graham)
Verse 3:
Even the oxen know the Master's stall, (Is 1)
And sheep will recognize the shepherd's call (John 10)
I could demand your love – I own you twice: (Pelagius, Erasmus, Arminius, Finney, Graham)
But only willing love is worth the price. (Pelagius, Erasmus, Arminius, Finney, Graham)
Coda:
And if you want me to, I'll make you whole; (Pelagius, Erasmus, Arminius, Finney, Graham)
I'll only do it though if you say so.
I'll never force you for I love you so;
I give you freedom; is it yes or no? (Man always says no - there is none that seeks after God)
I give you freedom; is it yes or no?
I give you freedom; is it yes or no?
It pains me greatly to type the words to the Coda. A little research on Pelagianism or Martin Luther vs. Erasmus, or the Synod of Dort will open your eyes to the battle against this heresy that has been fought many times. The Coda is an affront to God’s sovereignty!
Here is “The Whippoorwill Song - The New Way”. I hope you will take time to search the scriptures and see which is true. One way subtly glorifies man and makes salvation “synergistic” (look it up). The other way glorifies God alone and keeps salvation “monergistic” (look it up). I trust that my post here and “new” words will not just feel polemical but will ultimately lead to the help of those who struggle with assurance of salvation because they are looking to a “decision” they made rather than to Christ, the lamb of God.
Here is the “new” version:
Verse 1 (I kept it the same – the only fully Biblical verse of the original):
I set the boundaries of the ocean vast, (Ps 74)
Carved out the mountains fro the distant past, (Job 28)
Molded a man from the miry clay (Gen 2:7)
Breathed in him life, but he went astray (Gen 3)
Chorus:
I own the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50)
You twist my words, and your lies – they kill, (Ps 50)
Your only thoughts are to rob and steal (Gen 6, Rom 1, Jer 17)
My sheep hear my voice and come they will (John 10)
Verse 2:
I hold the waters in my mighty hand, (Is 40)
Spread out the heavens with a single span, (Is 40)
Make all creation tremble at my noise, (Ps 18)
My sheep will come when they hear my voice. (John 10)
Chorus:
I own the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50)
You twist my words, and your lies – they kill, (Ps 50)
Your only thoughts are to rob and steal (Gen 6, Rom 1, Jer 17)
My sheep hear my voice and come they will (John 10)
Verse 3:
Even the oxen know the Master's stall, (Is 1)
And sheep will recognize the shepherd's call (John 10)
You will not come though you have a choice (John 10)
Your will is bound, you'll not hear my voice (John 10, John 6)
Coda:
For my own name's sake, I will make you whole (Genesis 3:15 and following...through Revelation)
For by grace, life is given so,
That God be praised and all may know
I gave you freedom, though you said no
I gave you freedom, though you said no
I gave you freedom, though you said no