I’m curious to know how well Christians really listen and think about the words of some of their favorite songs? Until the last couple years, I wasn’t drawn to sing a song solely because of the words, but more so because of the combination of the words with the tune and the music. Whether it was inspirational, upbeat, or slow, I didn’t take the time to think about what was actually being said. But after hearing a few songs with a phrase or two that I knew was in error scripturally, it got me to thinking about how many other songs slip in similar things. It surprised me just how many songs of old as well as many recent and current songs were scripturally inaccurate. It also got me to thinking how much these words may have influenced my doctrinal beliefs.

For instance: One of the old classics “He could have called 10,000 angels.” This, for those who don’t know, is in reference to Jesus dying on the cross and he could have called 10,000 angels to rescue him. There are several other songs inferring the same type of sentiment—He could have chosen to let us receive the punishment he bore in our place, etc.

The problem with that is, it would have been disobedience. Disobedience is sin! God the Father gave us Jesus, his perfect son in the flesh, to fulfill his plan of salvation for us. If Jesus had deviated in the least, at any point while he lived on this earth, he would have been in disobedience to his Father’s plan. Jesus would have been rendered imperfect and unworthy to bear our sins on the cross.

I have no doubt that the sentiment of these songs was written with the best intent, but they are misleading. The poetic liberty taken in some of these songs may seem to reinforce attributes of love and compassion, but in reality, Jesus’ perfect, unblemished nature and deity is diminished to the level of imperfect humanity. – by Kathy Beardsley