Back to the Beginning…The Theology of Sunday School Songs

There are two blogs that I visit often--to read only. One I will call the North and the other the South. They earn these pseudonyms for the most obvious reason. They are in a Civil War. You see, both authors are theologians that vehemently defend their representation of Christendom. Yet they are polar opposites! They line up in direct opposition on almost every point of (relevant) theology (and some non-relevant!).

I let you know this because I have made a decision to NOT read either one of them anymore-at least not regularly. It amazes me how cruel and petty these people can be, and how they can prattle on, ad nauseam, the merits of their camp and the ludicrousness of the other. But my real problem with them is this. When one takes such a staunch and unyielding stance on these seemingly paradoxical views in Scripture, something extremely dangerous happens. The most obvious outcome in trying to “explain” these God-truths in a way that makes sense to our limited and finite minds, is the gross distortion of the point that one sets out to defend and “prove”.

Take, for example, the argument of the South. Grace is completely free (I won’t tell you what the South calls this position, but both words are in this sentence). They go to such great lengths to support this that any Scripture that has to do with working out your salvation, or producing, or persevering, or overcoming has to be watered down or misrepresented in order to fall in line with what they have chosen to defend.

The North is just as bad. They focus so much on the working of your salvation and the human responsibility that they also distort God’s word.

The fact is, the Scripture is full of apparent contradictions. Men have been arguing them for centuries. And Lord knows I have absolutely nothing farther to contribute! No matter how hard man tries, we can never understand the infinite mind of God. And this is actually quite comforting. If I could understand the mind of God, what would I need Him for?

So, this is where I love to rest on these lofty doctrines. I believe both sides 100% (not the man-made distortions). Were we chosen before the foundation of the world? Absolutely. Does man have free will to accept or reject God? Absolutely. Is Salvation a free gift? Yes. Are we told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? Yes. Is there only one God? Yes. Are there three distinct persons in the Godhead? Yes. Do those who reject God still bring Him glory? Absolutely. Did God choose to love us in our wretchedness? Yes. Is God absolutely just? Yes. Is God absolutely merciful? Yes. Etc…

I rest in the fact that I don’t know. I agree more and more with the simple songs I learned as a child. Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.