Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, dear reader! What a beautiful day to tackle a current story in the news!
Oh, and speaking of tackle, did you see the video of the USC (college football) punter who instead of punting threw a first down? Talk about faking out the competition! Instead of the player who WAS the punter, a third-string quarterback subbed in with the punter’s jersey and fooled everyone – until he rifled the football. Beautiful.
But speaking of beautiful, there’s the four-time bride Kim Davis, former county clerk in Kentucky. If you don’t remember who she is, back in 2015 she refused to sign the marriage certificates for same sex couples, even though the law had made it legal. After an emotionally-damaged gay couple from Rowan County sued Kim Davis for denying them a blissful union, the courts demanded that Ms. Davis pay the smartly dressed couple $360,000 in damages and attorney fees.
The current story is that Kim Davis is seeking to have the Supreme Court overturn her fine, and by extension, overturn Obergefell v. Hodges. What are her arguments for doing this? WHO CARES? She has no moral ground from which to appeal her case because . . . wait for it . . . she has been divorced.
That’s right, folks. Just because the ravishing Kim Davis found a way to seduce for different men into marrying her (and three to leave), she therefore must have no respect for the legitimacy of marriage and shouldn’t be lecturing others about it.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
So, let’s see if I am understanding this correctly. Let’s start with Kim Davis.
Kim Davis is a confessing Christian. She believes that God made men and women and only men and women should get married. She believes this so strongly that she chose to go to jail rather than go against her religious beliefs and put her signature on a same-sex county-issued marriage certificate.
“But Kim Davis has been divorced three times! She’s now married to her fourth husband!” you protest. Yes, that’s the truth. But does that mean she has no moral ground from which to launch an attack on gay marriage? Does her poor choice in men (or the poor vision and shortsightedness of these men) nullify her religious beliefs? Does her participation in the destruction of three marriages mean that, in actuality, she doesn’t believe what she preaches?
Some say, “Yes!” To those people, particularly those attacking Kim Davis in the media, let me ask YOU some questions.
Do you believe there should be speed limits in our neighborhoods? Then why to you speed in your car?
Do you believe it is wrong to lie? Did you say you never go over the speed limit?
Do you believe we should not objectify women? Then why do you change your appearance to that of a stereotypical caricature of 1950’s feminism?
Do you believe that marriage is just a construct of society, morals and values are relative to context, and sexual deviancy is nothing more than a than a term created by religious zealots? Then why do you judge another person’s moral standards and why is changing the definition of marriage such a big deal?
It’s only me thinking out loud, I suppose. I just don’t understand how one’s substandard living nullifies the standard by which one judges.
Ironically, one of the first evangelists, if I’m not mistaken, was a woman who was married five times and the man she was living with at the time was not her husband (so said Jesus).
As I write this, I am sitting in a familiar place. It’s a place I’ve been to many, many times.
It’s a funeral home.
To be honest, it’s not always been a place of sadness, at least not the kind I’m feeling today. No, many times it’s been quite the opposite, for “precious in the sight of the Lord are the death of His saints” (Ps. 116:15
But today is different.
Today I’m attending a “celebration of life” for a man I worked with. It’s a service of remembrance to celebrate the life and legacy of a well-loved individual. But nothing has ever been said about faith, not ever and not up until now.
So what about the next life?
The first song playing is “When I Get Where I’m Going.” It’s quite a sentimental piece that assures the listener that where the lost loved one is going will be wonderful. It’s got theological problems, but that a different issue.
But now there is a preacher speaking, and so far he’s speaking truth! That’s encouraging! What’s the outline? “Stand on the Truth That…”
God is Good
God Loves Us
God Will Help You
Amen, brother! That was certainly unexpected! A solid gospel message was delivered! I’m gonna find out who that preacher is and thank him for being so bold! (I did)
The last song now playing is “Go Rest High On the Mountain.” (Please, if you respect my wishes, threaten to hang anyone who suggests that song for my funeral.)
But where’s the real assurance that will happen? God only knows the heart of a man. The only guaranteed prescription for hope after this life is faith in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Was there faith? There could have been. Possibly. Nothing definite. No testimony to draw from and no mention of anything remotely religious in his life. Only God knows.
And that’s why there’s nothing for me to celebrate, only mourn. Not only is a decent man gone, but that’s it. Nothing else. No hope of eternity, only wishful thinking wrapped up in pseudo-religious country music.
Have you ever seen pictures or video of old, rusty, hollowed out WW2 airplanes found years after the war was over? It’s not too common, but it’s not an unheard of thing to find one these days, 80 years later, alone and forgotten under a canopy of jungle greenery.
What’s rarer still, but again, not unheard of, is the airplane that is found having crashed many decades ago being restored and flown again. Some, like the Lockheed P-38 Lightning that was found in Greenland under 350 feet of snow. It was part of the “Lost Squadron” of 6 fighter planes and a bomber or two that had to make an emergency landing during a blizzard.
This particular fighter airplane was recovered and restored to flight worthiness with the new name “Glacier Girl.”
Another fantastic example was a German Focke-Wulf fw190A that had crashed in a forest near Leningrad, Russia. It was dug out of the forest in 1991 and later sold to some Americans who restored it and flew it!
So what’s the point of all this history stuff? Why am I writing about it?
Today, as I was praying before doing some study, it came to me that I feel a lot like one of those crashed fighter planes. And if history proves true, I’m not the only one who feels it.
I don’t know if it was my pride or objective truth speaking, but there used to be a day when I was a little less intimidated of other Christians, particularly those mighty preachers I gravitated towards as a younger pastor. I knew I wasn’t on their level, but I sure did feel a lot more confident of my spirituality back then. I knew I wasn’t the best I could be, but I felt like I was in the best shape I was capable of being at that time.
Maybe I was. Maybe I wasn’t. Maybe I had a big head. Maybe it was the hair I used to have.
Regardless, I was a fighter, more so than I am now. Then again, maybe I was fighting different battles and don’t need to fly around in aerial mortal combat anymore. All I know is that I feel I am capable of more than I am doing. And these days I’m not intimidated by my would-be peers; I’m just disgusted with myself.
But there is an encouraging part to this story! You see, when those antique planes from the 1940s were recovered and flown again, their need was long gone. Even if there had been a conflict to which they could have been committed, their capabilities and armament would have been woefully obsolete.
However, much to the contrary can be said of folk like me! Even if I had been lost amidst the jungle branches and rusted nearly beyond recognition, the conflict still rages, the enemy is still the same, and the weapons of war have never changed! It’s not even necessary for me to be “repurposed,” for God’s plan for my life has not changed!
Even my “crash-landing” in the Forgotten Forest was part of His overall strategy. What the Enemy thought was an eliminated weapon; God will restore and refurbish for future victory in enemy territory.
Good evening, everyone. Do you want to know what I did tonight? I went to dinner and a movie with my wife! We saw “The Last Rodeo” (an Angel Studios film) and then went to Provino’s, Valerie’s favorite Italian restaurant.
If you are young, enjoy it. Once you pass the 30-year mark of marriage, dating your wife is difficult. Right now, you are up on all the latest trends and hot spots. But when you get older, you get tired and stuck in your ways. New things are uncomfortable; old things are boring. It’s a constant struggle.
However, when it comes to dating your wife, regardless of the age, go where she wants to eat. This is a rule of life. Just do it. Don’t argue.
The Poster
But it was as we were leaving the theater that I saw a poster for a movie now playing: “Final Destination: Bloodlines.”
I laughed, started coughing, told my wife to keep walking without me, and then took a photo of the poster. There was an older man (like 80’s old) standing in front of the poster and I was going to ask him what he thought about it, but he was too busy looking at his iPhone. No irony there, I know.
So what was so funny about the poster? It was the statement printed inside the gaping mouth of a skull. It read, “DEATH RUNS IN THE FAMILY.”
To be honest, I have no idea what this movie is about, other than people who supposedly cheated death dying in gruesome ways. You know, all the ways people die, other than the most common ways like heart attack, alien abduction, etc..
But I have no idea where the tagline fits in. And just for the record, death runs in every family! Ever since the first chapter or two of Genesis, it’s been a thing! Every one of us is going to die, just like our ancestors did.
You could say we all have an appointment with death. Only some of us have a relationship with the One who overcame it.
This morning, as I stood in the kitchen talking with my wife as she folded a few towels, I sat down my cup of coffee and asked, “Is it too early to talk about Christmas?”
Of course, just the fact that I brought up planning anything, much less Christmas, caught my wife’s attention. With raised eyebrows and a slight look of amazement she replied, “Sure! Why not? Go ahead!”
Then I said, “I know it’s only January, but I want to start now with an all-out push to change the way we do Christmas.” I explained that even if I have to say something every month until people are sick of hearing about it, it’s something I’m convinced needs to be discussed.
I am done with gift giving as usual. Now is the time to change.
First World Problems
I am sure you know what a “first world problem” is, don’t you? A first world problem is something like not finding your favorite brand of gourmet water at your local Whole Foods store when most of the world struggles to find the clean kind.
Well, maybe what I am about to describe is a problem only first-world folk have. It is highly unlikely that those in poorer countries (or even poorer communities) deal with giving too many gifts to their children. Many care more about how they will put food on the table, not how to afford the latest video game console or diamond ring.
But for those of you who are even now planning so that the trunk of next year’s Christmas tree will be hidden by boxes covered in shiny disposable paper and reusable bows, I say ENOUGH! Just STOP it, already!
The Purpose
If you know the meaning of Christmas has to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, not all things Santa, then you should understand what I’m about to say. On the other hand, if you think that Christmas is nothing more than the “season for giving,” then you’re going to hate me.
The ONLY reason we celebrate Christmas is because Jesus was God’s perfect Gift to mankind. While remembering the day (regardless of the date) that God became a baby and dwelt among us, we offer gifts to each other in memory of the unique Gift wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
Christmas is NOT supposed to be a season of commercial manipulation and debt-producing volume-minded influence peddling.
In reality, a Christmas gift should be nothing less than an homage to the greater Gift. The giving of gifts at Christmas should mimic the original. Even more, what is given should reflect the Gospel, not diminish or dilute it.
Value, not Volume
Again, it may only be a first-world problem, but how often have you been confronted with the issue of buying equally for multiple children or family members? For example, we have three daughters and three granddaughters. My wife gets so stressed over the number of gifts each one receives. She wants her giving to be and appear fair.
But then look at the way the number of gifts becomes more important than the value of each gift. Especially for the little children, all they can see is the number of wrapped gifts, not the value, especially not the heart. Thus, theoretically, one kid could get 5 gifts while another could get 10 gifts. Yet, because of the value of numbers, the one receiving 5 gifts might feel cheated, even if the inherent value of the 5 is equal to or more than the 10!
Do you see? By focusing on volume instead of value, the number of gifts becomes more important than the value of the gift. When the value of the heart is determined by the number of the sacrifices, the value of the individual sacrifice is diminished.
One and Done
Let’s face it, Jesus was the ultimate “one and done” gift. God did not send multiple saviors; He sent his One and Only Son. The angel told the shepherds, “You shall find the babe…,” not multiple babies, one wrapped this way, the other one that.
What are we telling our children and each other when we have to make sure there are several gifts under the tree and at least a few items in each stocking? How does that mirror the Gospel? What does it say about Jesus?
Today I’m starting a movement to change the way we do this. Will you join me?
As of this writing, there are only five days until Christmas. If I had only spoken out a few months ago, things might have been different today. But I didn’t say anything earlier because I didn’t want to hurt feelings or offend. I can only hope that by protesting now, something good can come of it.
You may recall that a few years ago I wrote a scathing critic of Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” I wasn’t the first to point out the song’s sexually abusive lyrics. Nevertheless, my article did get attention. This wasn’t surprising since the #metoo movement was going strong at the time.
But here we are in yet another Christmas season and what do we have? More offensive lyrics in Christmas songs. What makes it worse is that they are part of worship services. These services are meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, not a sexual conquest.
It seems that all one must do these days is include the word hallelujah in a song, no matter the context of the borrowed lyric or tune, and it’s sure to be a hit at your next Christmas cantata.
“Hallelujah”
Let me be clear. It is not my wish to trash Leonard Cohan’s famous, beloved and oft-covered “Hallelujah.” Why would I want to? My complaints would just fall on deaf ears. Since the 1984 release of Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” near universal praise has been given for its lyrical, poetic, and harmonic beauty. But I’m not a fan. I can’t stand the song – not because of the tune, but the message.
But as with many things, even though I’m not a fan, if it stays within the bounds of its intended secular audience, I’m content to let rotting dogs lie.
It’s only when the putrid scent of death begins to taint the fragrant incense of worship that I get offended. My gag reflexes tempt me to puke.
Unfortunately, as of late, I’ve had to keep a barf bag close by. It seems that more and more Christians have gone odor blind and cannot detect even the slightest stench. Everywhere I turn, Cohen’s agnostic and broken Hallelujah” is being incorporated into holy worship.
A Little Background
With just a little digging, I found that the first time “Hallelujah” became linked to Christmas was in 2010. Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent included it on her Christmas album. It featured the original lyrics.
Then, early in December of 2012, Cloverton released the now popular Christmas version of “Hallelujah” which tells the story of Christ’s birth. Below is the first verse.
I’ve heard about this baby boy Who’s come to earth to bring us joy And I just want to sing this song to you It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift With every breath, I’m singing Hallelujah
In 2017 the group Anthem Lights released “Hallelujah Medley,” a mashup of two classic Christian songs with “Hallelujah” woven throughout. The other two songs were “Hallelujah, What a Savior” and Michael W. Smith’s “Agnus Dei.”
This year I heard both the Cloverton and the Anthem Lights versions in the same church Christmas cantata. However, as an instrumentalist in that church, I couldn’t bring myself to accompany either one.
Giving Grace
But I want to extend grace. I don’t want to disparage anyone who sings these covers or re-writes of “Hallelujah.” Their intention might be to glorify God. They may also encourage others to praise Him. Even Paul was hesitant to condemn those who, out of jealously, added to his suffering, for even then the Gospel was being preached (see Philippians 1:15-18). That was the main thing.
I’m compelled to show grace, too, because others may genuinely see things differently. They may consider what is being done with “Hallelujah” as an act of sanctification. They might argue that the tunes of some of the greatest and most beloved hymns were once big hits in the pubs and ale houses. Therefore, incorporating the tune or some of the lyrics into Christmas music is no different than how we sing “Amazing Grace” to the traditional tune of “New Britain.”
And, if nothing else, I must be careful to offer a lot of grace because I’m not perfect. I’ve had a bad cold, recently, and lots of things irritate me more when I feel sick.
What Are the Issues?
So, what is the issue (or issues)? What is there to complain about this time? What makes me cringe? What makes me nauseous?
Issue 1: The Lyrics
To begin with, it all goes back to Leonard Cohen’s original “Hallelujah” and its meaning. You see, I like music, but I also try to understand the lyrics. Just because a song has a happy tune, that doesn’t mean it’s worth listening to. I try to feed my soul with good stuff, not garbage.
Compared to many songs, though, “Hallelujah” is downright tame. It’s not a vulgar, pornographic jingle celebrating wet body parts (e.g., Cardi B). But it isn’t religious, nor is it wholesome for all ages, either. Actually, it is a song that draws loosely from the lives of biblical characters to describe dysfunctional, sexually-involved relationships that seek consolation through mutual brokenness.
But as a Christian, what bothers me most is the way Cohan distorts and contorts the word hallelujah. It offends me that such an intrinsically holy word (made up of two Hebrew words,hālal and yâ, which means “praise the Lord”) is used to describe a sexual release in the second verse.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you to a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
It may seem petty, but it also irritates me how Cohan (born a Jew, but a practicing Buddhist) not only mixes the stories of King David and Samson, but does so in a self-justifying, slanderous way. David needed proof for his faith? Whose throne got broken?
But who really cares about the verses of this song, right? I mean, all that people really care about are the melody and the haunting chorus that repeats the word erroneously attributed to a “baffled” king.
Hallelujah is the real money maker, after all.
Issue 2: The Fusion of the Holy and the Unholy
The other big issue I have is not only the willingness, but the ambivalence toward fusing holy, Christian works with unholy, secular, even blasphemous works in an attempt to be creative.
Here’s the thing. I can’t sing “Amazing Grace” without including the accompanying tune once connected to bar songs. However, when I or any other person hears “Amazing Grace,” the words of “New Britain” never enter our minds. The older song is totally disassociated from Newton’s “Amazing Grace” and the author of “New Britain” never gets any credit.
But “Hallelujah” is a different thing entirely. Whenever either the tune or the lyrics of “Hallelujah” are used in either a lyrical remake or a mashup with other Christian songs, some sort of attribution must be given to Leonard Cohan.
Issue 3: Ignorance is Blessed
I asked my wife for her thoughts on the rendition of Cloverton’s version of “Hallelujah” that our praise band did last week. Like everyone else, she thought it was beautiful. And from a purely musical perspective, even a worshipful one, it was moving.
But on the other hand, on hearing “It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor falls, the major lifts,” when does one wonder: “Why are the words of an agnostic Jewish Buddhist being used out of their context to praise the God and Savior he doesn’t even believe in?”
But that’s just it. Most people don’t know.
Most people aren’t aware of the source material. For that matter, most people never parse the lyrics to any of the songs they sing, even in church, and are usually content remaining ignorant, but blessed. Honestly, I can’t blame them. It’s easier that way.
And frankly, at least in this case, what you don’t know probably won’t hurt you, so worship away.
But I do know. That’s why I just had to say something.
Friends, let me be honest. The sermon I am sharing with you today is the best I’ve ever, EVER heard on this subject. It is absolutely spot on, biblical, and convicting.
This pastor does not endorse a candidate, but he makes it abundantly clear with Scripture what the God-given duty of an American Christian is. It’s your choice, but you have to actually make one.
To sit out this (or any) election is nothing less than passive disobedience to God. That’s what this pastor argues, and I believe he is correct.
Hello, everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch (I tend to like these long breaks, it seems).
However, I am making an HUGE effort to bring you guys up to date with links to ALL my videos from a recent series on YouTube.
If you remember, I mentioned a while back that I was going to take older posts and convert them into videos for my new Edify! channel on YouTube. I did that, but it didn’t work as well as I initially thought it would.
So, what I did this time was take a sermon outline and turn it into a whole series: 10 Reasons Why Jesus Is Better than Santa.
Funny thing, I have gotten VERY LITTLE response on YouTube, but a lot from viewers on TikTok. Therefore, if you would be so kind, would you check out these videos on YouTube and let me know what you think? It would be great if all my subscribers to this blog would subscribe to my channel! I might even get monetized 🙂
Over a two-week period, just over 31 years ago, things started to get a little weird.
I can’t recall all of the moments that led up to me concluding something bad was going to happen, but a couple stand out above the rest.
The Revival Service
It was in June of 1991. The church that I attended was having a week-long series of meetings. My mother and father did not attend the same church as I did, but on the last night of the revival, which was a Friday, my dad came. The evangelist preached on heaven that night and said something that hit me like a brick. He said, “Heaven will never be real to you until there is someone there you want to go see.”
The Movie
In that very same week, my family went to see a movie. It was a new animated film called An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. In one particular scene, an old hound dog, the retiring sheriff, sat watching a sunset with the little mouse, Fievel. The legendary actor, Jimmy Stewart, speaking as Wylie Burp, said to Fievel,
“Just remember, Fievel – one man’s sunset is another man’s dawn. I don’t know what’s out there beyond those hills. But if you ride yonder… head up, eyes steady, heart open… I think one day you’ll find that you’re the hero you’ve been looking for.” – Wylie Burp
The moment he said, “one man’s sunset is another man’s dawn,” I felt a chill and a heaviness that took my breath. I knew my dawn was coming.
Sunset
Early on Monday morning, June 11, 1991, while working 3rd shift as a security guard in a high-security nuclear facility, my dad felt sick. He asked a cleaning person which bathroom was clean, then went in, took off his gun belt, bent over a sink, and died.
It had only been since Friday the 8th that I had heard that message about heaven. That Monday was when heaven became more real than I could have ever imagined. My dad, Terry L. Baker, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He surrendered his badge, took off his gun belt, and laid down – literally.
Dawn
As the sun rose over the horizon, I sped my Datsun 280Z toward the hospital. When I got there, I asked for my dad, but was led to a room where my mother was sitting. In a sobbing cry, she looked up to me and held out a little plastic bag containing my father’s personal items. She said, “This is all I have left…” That was the exact moment when I found out. That was the exact moment it became dawn.
That’s my father and me on the front row. This was 1987 in Milan, Michigan.
It may have been my dawn, but it was one of the darkest moments in my life. My dad and I were terribly close. We worked together, played together, worshiped together, and preached together. In the week before my daddy died, I went up to him and told him that I really felt like something was going to happen. He told me that he would outlive my grandchildren. But in case he didn’t, I had to make sure of one thing – would I preach his funeral?
The Funeral
Some people could not understand how I did it, but I did preach my dad’s funeral. You see, I was 24, but I had accepted the call to preach when I was 16. My dad had been a pastor, a lay preacher for years. It may have been just guy talk at the time, but in a moment of male-bonding, my dad and I agreed that whoever died first, for whatever reason, the other would preach the funeral. That is why I asked my dad that question. I needed to be sure he was serious. His response was, “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” So, I did.
My dad presided over a lot of funerals, and he even carried in his Bible a sermon that he used more often than not. The title of the sermon was “The Times I Need Him Most.” So, from his own Bible, from his own outline, I preached his funeral. And unlike I usually do today, I even gave an altar call. Believe it or not, right there to my left, beside the casket, a friend of the family came down to the altar and asked Jesus to come into his life. Never once had my dad led a person to the Lord when he preached a funeral sermon, but this time was different.
The Family Car
There will always be those who think the following is crazy; only coincidence: but God showed up in the limousine as we went to the graveyard. As soon as I got into the car, I asked the driver, who was a Christian friend, to turn the radio on. I wanted to hear some encouraging music. When he did, the DJ on WAY FM out of Nashville played a song by Wayne Watson, The Ultimate Healing. Right after that, the DJ came on the air and said, “I know we usually have songs pre-planned according to a particular format, but I just really feel led by God to play this next song – I don’t know why.” The song was Where There is Faith, by 4Him. The second verse goes like this:
There’s a man across the sea Never heard the sound of freedom ring Only in his dreams There’s a lady dressed in black In a motorcade of Cadillacs Daddy’s not coming back Our hearts begin to fall And our stability grows weak But Jesus meets our needs if only we believe
CHORUS Where there is faith There is a voice calling, keep walking You’re not alone in this world Where there is faith There is a peace like a child sleeping Hope everlasting in He who is able to Bear every burden, to heal every hurt in my heart It is a wonderful, powerful place Where there is faith
Today
Today, my mother’s body is now resting beside my dad’s, but I am comforted with the knowledge that one day I will see both of them again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In the meantime, I must carry on in the task that I have been called to do.
Several years ago, I went to the grave, and even though I knew my dad was not there, I read Proverbs 4 aloud. What better words could have been said in remembrance of a committed, consistent, caring, God-fearing, humble father? They were words that I wanted to say out loud because they were being fulfilled.
“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” – Prov. 4:4-5
“Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. … Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. … My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. … Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” – Proverbs 4:10-11, 14, 20-21, 25-27
Dad (and Momma), I just want you to know that I am still in the fight. I haven’t given up and I haven’t compromised. I wasn’t a fly-by-night wannabe, but a real man of God. My Sword is still sharp. My aim is still true. I even have some “arrows” that used to be in my quiver; you will meet one day.
Don’t worry, even though I know you won’t. I will keep pressing on and fighting the good fight until the time of my own sunset. Then, when this life is over, I hope I can stand there beside you when Jesus says to you, “Well done.” You did good, Daddy. I’ll make you proud.
The Recovering Legalist 
Critique of ‘Hallelujah’ in Christmas Worship
As of this writing, there are only five days until Christmas. If I had only spoken out a few months ago, things might have been different today. But I didn’t say anything earlier because I didn’t want to hurt feelings or offend. I can only hope that by protesting now, something good can come of it.
You may recall that a few years ago I wrote a scathing critic of Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” I wasn’t the first to point out the song’s sexually abusive lyrics. Nevertheless, my article did get attention. This wasn’t surprising since the #metoo movement was going strong at the time.
But here we are in yet another Christmas season and what do we have? More offensive lyrics in Christmas songs. What makes it worse is that they are part of worship services. These services are meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, not a sexual conquest.
It seems that all one must do these days is include the word hallelujah in a song, no matter the context of the borrowed lyric or tune, and it’s sure to be a hit at your next Christmas cantata.
“Hallelujah”
Let me be clear. It is not my wish to trash Leonard Cohan’s famous, beloved and oft-covered “Hallelujah.” Why would I want to? My complaints would just fall on deaf ears. Since the 1984 release of Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” near universal praise has been given for its lyrical, poetic, and harmonic beauty. But I’m not a fan. I can’t stand the song – not because of the tune, but the message.
But as with many things, even though I’m not a fan, if it stays within the bounds of its intended secular audience, I’m content to let rotting dogs lie.
It’s only when the putrid scent of death begins to taint the fragrant incense of worship that I get offended. My gag reflexes tempt me to puke.
Unfortunately, as of late, I’ve had to keep a barf bag close by. It seems that more and more Christians have gone odor blind and cannot detect even the slightest stench. Everywhere I turn, Cohen’s agnostic and broken Hallelujah” is being incorporated into holy worship.
A Little Background
With just a little digging, I found that the first time “Hallelujah” became linked to Christmas was in 2010. Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent included it on her Christmas album. It featured the original lyrics.
Then, early in December of 2012, Cloverton released the now popular Christmas version of “Hallelujah” which tells the story of Christ’s birth. Below is the first verse.
In 2017 the group Anthem Lights released “Hallelujah Medley,” a mashup of two classic Christian songs with “Hallelujah” woven throughout. The other two songs were “Hallelujah, What a Savior” and Michael W. Smith’s “Agnus Dei.”
This year I heard both the Cloverton and the Anthem Lights versions in the same church Christmas cantata. However, as an instrumentalist in that church, I couldn’t bring myself to accompany either one.
Giving Grace
But I want to extend grace. I don’t want to disparage anyone who sings these covers or re-writes of “Hallelujah.” Their intention might be to glorify God. They may also encourage others to praise Him. Even Paul was hesitant to condemn those who, out of jealously, added to his suffering, for even then the Gospel was being preached (see Philippians 1:15-18). That was the main thing.
I’m compelled to show grace, too, because others may genuinely see things differently. They may consider what is being done with “Hallelujah” as an act of sanctification. They might argue that the tunes of some of the greatest and most beloved hymns were once big hits in the pubs and ale houses. Therefore, incorporating the tune or some of the lyrics into Christmas music is no different than how we sing “Amazing Grace” to the traditional tune of “New Britain.”
And, if nothing else, I must be careful to offer a lot of grace because I’m not perfect. I’ve had a bad cold, recently, and lots of things irritate me more when I feel sick.
What Are the Issues?
So, what is the issue (or issues)? What is there to complain about this time? What makes me cringe? What makes me nauseous?
Issue 1: The Lyrics
To begin with, it all goes back to Leonard Cohen’s original “Hallelujah” and its meaning. You see, I like music, but I also try to understand the lyrics. Just because a song has a happy tune, that doesn’t mean it’s worth listening to. I try to feed my soul with good stuff, not garbage.
Compared to many songs, though, “Hallelujah” is downright tame. It’s not a vulgar, pornographic jingle celebrating wet body parts (e.g., Cardi B). But it isn’t religious, nor is it wholesome for all ages, either. Actually, it is a song that draws loosely from the lives of biblical characters to describe dysfunctional, sexually-involved relationships that seek consolation through mutual brokenness.
But as a Christian, what bothers me most is the way Cohan distorts and contorts the word hallelujah. It offends me that such an intrinsically holy word (made up of two Hebrew words, hālal and yâ, which means “praise the Lord”) is used to describe a sexual release in the second verse.
It may seem petty, but it also irritates me how Cohan (born a Jew, but a practicing Buddhist) not only mixes the stories of King David and Samson, but does so in a self-justifying, slanderous way. David needed proof for his faith? Whose throne got broken?
But who really cares about the verses of this song, right? I mean, all that people really care about are the melody and the haunting chorus that repeats the word erroneously attributed to a “baffled” king.
Hallelujah is the real money maker, after all.
Issue 2: The Fusion of the Holy and the Unholy
The other big issue I have is not only the willingness, but the ambivalence toward fusing holy, Christian works with unholy, secular, even blasphemous works in an attempt to be creative.
Here’s the thing. I can’t sing “Amazing Grace” without including the accompanying tune once connected to bar songs. However, when I or any other person hears “Amazing Grace,” the words of “New Britain” never enter our minds. The older song is totally disassociated from Newton’s “Amazing Grace” and the author of “New Britain” never gets any credit.
But “Hallelujah” is a different thing entirely. Whenever either the tune or the lyrics of “Hallelujah” are used in either a lyrical remake or a mashup with other Christian songs, some sort of attribution must be given to Leonard Cohan.
Issue 3: Ignorance is Blessed
I asked my wife for her thoughts on the rendition of Cloverton’s version of “Hallelujah” that our praise band did last week. Like everyone else, she thought it was beautiful. And from a purely musical perspective, even a worshipful one, it was moving.
But on the other hand, on hearing “It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor falls, the major lifts,” when does one wonder: “Why are the words of an agnostic Jewish Buddhist being used out of their context to praise the God and Savior he doesn’t even believe in?”
But that’s just it. Most people don’t know.
Most people aren’t aware of the source material. For that matter, most people never parse the lyrics to any of the songs they sing, even in church, and are usually content remaining ignorant, but blessed. Honestly, I can’t blame them. It’s easier that way.
And frankly, at least in this case, what you don’t know probably won’t hurt you, so worship away.
But I do know. That’s why I just had to say something.
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