After not posting for almost 2 weeks, I have now posted twice in 12 hours. Go figure. Don't skip over the last post (5.5 Random Things), it just might give you a glimpse into my psyche. Also, the blog police have informed me that if I don't start posting the "Hymn of the Week" once a week, the name will have to be changed to "Hymn of the Every-Other-Week", and that just doesn't have the same punch.
This week's offering was written by the one and only Charles Wesley, after whom the Charles Wesley Corollary is named, which I first unveiled a few weeks back. Charles Wesley is considered one of the finest hymn writers ever and is respected across a wide range of Christianity. In fact, I'd like someone to write a biography of him called Charles Wesley: Even the Presbyterians Like Him. Here are the lyrics:
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain!
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Chorus
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Chorus
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own
Chorus
Modern worship aficionados will notice that the song You Are My King (Amazing Love) essentially stole from the chorus of this song. That's fine, if imitation is the highest form of flattery than theft must be even better, right?
Some things confuse me about this song. I honestly don't think that "Thine eye diffused a quickening ray" makes tons of sense, but what do I know. And "Emptied Himself of all but love" could be taken to mean that our author believed that Christ emptied Himself of His divinity in coming to earth (an interpretation that some take of Philippians 2:7), which would be wrong. But, while I'm not an expert in Wesleyan theology (though I know a bit about John and Charles) I don't really think that is what is meant here. Finally, this song is really hard to sing for those of us with no vocal range. In fact, I've yet to hear a good modern rendition of this song, I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible.
But there's so much to love here. The Incarnation (from the manger to the tomb) truly is the greatest act of love this world has ever seen, or will ever see. Why should I, who caused His pain and suffering, be rewarded through His death? Doesn't this defy logic? But that is what is so amazing about His love, it benefits those who mock Him. Amazing love indeed. The last verse is one of the most powerful in all of hymnody, in my opinion. I could sing it all day and never quite wrap my mind around it.
May I suggest that you ponder for a while the thought that Jesus, who has always been and always will be God, lowered Himself to this earth and died for you and me. The One who has been from the beginning suffered and died a humiliating death for His people. The One who spoke this world into creation and was rejected by it sacrificed Himself in the greatest act of love. Think about that. How is this possible? Did you or I do anything to deserve this? Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God should die for me?
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14 comments:
Glad did a version of this on their first a capella album that had a completely different melody. It's much easier to sing, but it doesn't have the familiarity. I've heard people do this song with their melody in worship gatherings.
I believe it was J.I. Packer who called this song heretical because it makes God out to have died. He says if Christ's divine nature didn't die then his death doesn't amount to God dying, just him as a man dying. I never remember the details of the technical discussions of the creeds, so I don't know if he's right to call this heretical, but it certainly isn't the way the biblical texts speak of it. I've gone back and forth on what I think of that, but it's never stopped me from singing it, at least not yet.
How incredibly apt. I attended a church in Dublin last week where we sang this. The entirety of the worship was contemporary praise songs until we finished in crescendo with a rousing rendition of this hymn. It stirred my soul and brought down the house.
The theorem rings true on another continent.
Jeremy, so what you're saying is that Packer won't be writing that biography I mentioned?
You know, that's interesting. I went a school with a largely reformed faculty and took a systematic theology class that covered the hypostatic union and we even sang this very song in class, yet no one ever brought up Packer's view of this hymn. I've never heard that before, so I'd have to think about it, but at first glance I'm not sure I can agree. But then again, I've disagreed with Packer before.=)
I've heard Dr. Kaiser take issue with those words, "emptied Himself of all but love," as it does sound like Jesus just came down here with a bunch of love in His heart and that's all. So what do those words mean, anyway? Maybe Wesley was just referring to Jesus laying aside His glory to become man, giving up His right to the use of His divine power. Something like that.
To me this hymn carries the same kind of vibe found in Psalm 8: "What is man, that you are mindful of him?" It also reminds me of John the Baptist (What!? I'm baptizing *you* Jesus?) or Peter (What!? You're washing *my* feet Jesus?)
There's that hint of incredulity that almighty God would love us so. Only appropriate that this should flow into a chorus of praise. Some of the theology does seem a little weird, but that can be hard to parse out.
I flipped through Packer's Knowing God, and noticed that he quotes the song's purportedly "kenotic" verse without comment on p. 198. Perhaps he condemns it as heretical elsewhere, though. I recall that one of the elders from my church would always get quiet or mumble his way through the line "emptied himself of all but love." One could read it as Christ's banishing every motive but love, which is theologically defensible.
On the third verse, it is worth noting that hymnic references to ocular diffusion generally pertain to "attention" or "looking at" someone, which in this case would be the Holy Spirit's turning toward Wesley with regenerative (i.e., "quickening") efficacy. Interesting note here culled from a devotional site:
"Perhaps you may think that this hymn describes the dramatic experience of one who was rescued from the life of terrible sin and ruin... perhaps drugs, adultery, murder or who knows what? But at the time of his conversion, Charles Wesley had been a pastor in his church for over three years. And he had just returned from a 'missionary' trip to America.
But in all of this religious activity, he had never experienced peace-the peace that only God can give. Peace cannot be manufactured or 'faked'. Christ had never come to dwell in his life. He looked good on the outside, but the mystery of a life committed to Christ was not to be found in him."
The reason Presbyterians like this song is simple: they can twist it to fit their theology. First, with all that punctuation in v. 1, you've got an easy reference to "unconditional election" (i.e., "Why me?). Second, the bit about light in the dungeon sounds like regeneration prior to faith, though I highly doubt Wesley meant that. Third, the final verse talks about standing in Christ's righteousness, and all Reformed people everywhere get drooly at the mention of such things [think H. Simpson: "Ohh...imputation!"]. Now if only we could get rid of that pesky reference to universal atonement ("And bled for Adam's helpless race")....
For modern settings of the song, check out Auburn RUF or Indelible Grace.
Must...cite...source.... Sorry, that devotional quote was from here.
I realize (as I noted in the post) that one could take the "emptied himself of all but love" as a denial of the divinity of Jesus, but I'm quite sure that's not how Charles Wesley meant it. His brother John didn't read the Bible in that way (if I remember my Wesleyan theology correctly), for what it's worth.
As for "Adam's helpless race" I know that at least one Presbyterian hymnal changed that line (the one at Ipswich OPC has it). I can't remember what the line was changed to, but it was blatantly calvinistic, which made it comical given the original wording/theology.
I've heard Indelible Grace's version, but wasn't too excited about it. I bet it would sound awesome played on a hammered dulcimer, though.
This whole discussion brings up something that can be troubling with song lyrics. They are often vague in their exact meaning. That's the nature of poetry, I suppose. While Wesley's words could be used by some to support heretical theology, they could also be taken as perfectly orthodox (and as Isaac noted, even reformed). Given what we know about Wesleyan theology, I say we give him the benefit of the doubt (unless you consider all Arminians heretics, of course).
Danny,
I do not claim to be a theologian; however, you are simply talking about "the voluntary subordination of the second person of the trinity without loss of effectual divinity". Any 16 year old who has been in any church that had quality preaching/teaching could explain that.
If this confuses you, you might want to start looking for a better church.
Anonymous user who opted not to leave his/her name,
I'm more confused about why you think I'm confused. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the issues at hand, so I'm not sure what you read that makes you think differently. As you may have noticed, these hymn posts aren't meant to be deep theological discussions, but I'm sure you've read more of this blog to get some background before posting your comment.
As I reflect on the crucifixion, and think of Jesus' words "I thirst." I am stricken by the thought that the line "emptied Himself of all but love" may refer to the final sacrifice--He Who was the giver of the water of life was thirsty! He was empty of everything except love when He died. No power, no beauty, no anything. . . just love.
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