Found here. Our comments in bold.
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The unnamed author, "Publisher," has an opinion about a Christian song. But he cannot do us the courtesy of quoting anything other than snippets of the lyrics, nor does he type a single word from the Bible. How can someone evaluate the biblical soundness of something without a single Bible quote?
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The unnamed author, "Publisher," has an opinion about a Christian song. But he cannot do us the courtesy of quoting anything other than snippets of the lyrics, nor does he type a single word from the Bible. How can someone evaluate the biblical soundness of something without a single Bible quote?
There are so many other rich targets out there, yet "Publisher" chooses this particular song. There must be some unstated offense "Publisher" has because the lyrics contain no doctrinal errors. We suspect he chose to evaluate it because it comes from the hated Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music. Thus "Publisher" is looking under every rock and poking in every cranny to find something, anything, that he can use as ammo against the song.
In fact, the song is an innocuous story-telling song with a clearly stated agenda: The songwriter wants to encourage us to start praying. Now, we should say that we're not here to defend the song, per se. It's pretty unremarkable. Rather, we intend to evaluate "Publisher's" presentation.
[Verse 1]
Grandma used to pray out loud
By her bed every night
To me it sounded like mumblin'
Like she was out of her mind
She said, "Boy, this kind of prayin'
Is what saved my life
You oughta try it some time"
And now I know she was right
[Pre-Chorus]
She was talkin' to Jesus
She was talkin' to Jesus
And she'd been talkin' to Jesus
For all of her life
[Verse 2]
Mama used to drag me to church
Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights
Khaki pants and a polo shirt
Boy, I put up a fight
She said, "Son, one day, you'll thank me
For having God in your life"
And yeah, I know she was right
Yeah, my mama was right
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause now I'm talkin' to Jesus
She got me talkin' to Jesus
She got me talkin' to Jesus
Yeah, my mama was right
'Cause now I'm talkin' to Jesus
Yeah, I love talkin' to Jesus
And I'll be talkin' to Jesus
For the rest of my life
[Chorus]
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, oh
What a friend we have
[Verse 3]
I've got three of my own now
Tryin' to raise them up right
My oldest is fifteen
And I remember what that was like
Tryin' to deal with the drama
Tryin' to figure out the questions in life
And I've been lookin' for a way to show him
How to make it alright
[Verse 4]
Then he walked in my room
While I was sayin' my prayers the other night
He said, "I'll come back later
I can tell you got a lot on your mind"
I said, "It's not an interruption
You couldn't have picked a better time
'Cause I was just talkin' to Jesus
Come over and give it a try"
[Pre-Chorus]
We started talkin' to Jesus
We started talkin' to Jesus
We started talkin' to Jesus, oh
And now he's talkin' to Jesus
Thank God, he's talkin' to Jesus
I hope he's talkin' to Jesus
For the rest of his life, yeah
[Verse 5]
There's no wrong way to do it
There's no bad time to start
It don't have to sound pretty
Just tell Him what's on your heart
'Cause it's not a religion, no
'Cause it's more like a friendship
So just talk to your Father
Like you are His kid
Now with lyrics before us let's consider "Publisher's" claims.
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“Talking to Jesus” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music has captivated many with its emotional and seemingly heartfelt lyrics. ("Seemingly?" Is "Publisher" trying to pre-emptively impugn the song by questioning the sincerity of the songwriter?)
However, a closer examination reveals several theological issues that misrepresent the true nature of Jesus Christ. First off, this song exemplifies the problematic “Jesus is my boyfriend” theology that has infiltrated the vast majority of what passes as modern “worship music,” reducing the Almighty God to a mere emotional crutch or a genie who exists to fulfill our carnal desires. (First, this is not a worship song, it is a CCM song with a testimony. Second, we can read the lyrics for ourselves. There is no language in the lyrics that suggests a romantic relationship with Jesus. Third, there is nothing in the song about "carnal desires."
Nothing.
This paragraph is completely false. Perhaps this why "Publisher" didn't provide the song's lyrics.)
The song begins with an anecdote about a grandmother praying, described as “mumbling” and “out of her mind.” While this appears to be an attempt to appear endearing, it trivializes the solemnity and reverence that should accompany prayer. (??? "Publisher" is certainly welcome his opinion, but remember, his intent is to tell us if the song is biblically sound, not speculate about what appears to be.
The song begins with an anecdote about a grandmother praying, described as “mumbling” and “out of her mind.” While this appears to be an attempt to appear endearing, it trivializes the solemnity and reverence that should accompany prayer. (??? "Publisher" is certainly welcome his opinion, but remember, his intent is to tell us if the song is biblically sound, not speculate about what appears to be.
And perhaps "Publisher" might tell us where the Bible requires prayer to always be solemn and reverent.
The songwriter tells us that when he was a kid he overheard his grandmother praying. It sounded like mumbling and seemed crazy. Then he and the grandmother had a conversation about how prayer saved her life.
Yet "Publisher" claims this trivializes prayer. What? A saved life through prayer is hardly trivial.)
The Bible commands us to approach God with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28-29), (Let's quote the verse:
He. 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe...
As we can see, this verse is not about prayer, it is about worship. Now, perhaps "Publisher" intended a bit more nuance, but we can only go on what he actually writes. And he's wrong about this verse.)
but this song diminishes that reverence, making prayer seem more like a casual chat than a submission to the will and authority of the Creator of the universe. ("Publisher" repeats his accusations. However, as we noted above we can read the lyrics for ourselves. The songwriter tells us his experience with his grandmother transformed his life, and now he's bringing that legacy to his children. We continue to look in vain for how this trivializes prayer.)
One of the most glaring issues in the song is the line, “There’s no wrong way to do it, there’s no bad time to start.” This sentiment, while seemingly innocuous on the surface, is theologically erroneous. The Bible actually does provide specific instructions on how to pray. Jesus Himself gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model (Matthew 6:9-13) and showed us the need for reverence, confession, and submission to God’s will. To suggest that “there’s no wrong way” to pray undermines these biblical principles, promoting a careless and irreverent attitude toward prayer. (Well, we are willing to grant to songwriter some artistic license. When he tells us there's no wrong way to pray, we can see in the context of the lyrics he's exhorting people to start praying. So if someone is perhaps intimidated by the idea of prayer, the songwriter is essentially saying, "just do it and don't worry about doing it wrong.")
Another problematic line is, “It’s not a religion, ’cause it’s more like a friendship.” This statement perpetuates a false dichotomy between religion and relationship. True Christianity is indeed about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ("Publisher" objects then immediately concedes...)
One of the most glaring issues in the song is the line, “There’s no wrong way to do it, there’s no bad time to start.” This sentiment, while seemingly innocuous on the surface, is theologically erroneous. The Bible actually does provide specific instructions on how to pray. Jesus Himself gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model (Matthew 6:9-13) and showed us the need for reverence, confession, and submission to God’s will. To suggest that “there’s no wrong way” to pray undermines these biblical principles, promoting a careless and irreverent attitude toward prayer. (Well, we are willing to grant to songwriter some artistic license. When he tells us there's no wrong way to pray, we can see in the context of the lyrics he's exhorting people to start praying. So if someone is perhaps intimidated by the idea of prayer, the songwriter is essentially saying, "just do it and don't worry about doing it wrong.")
Another problematic line is, “It’s not a religion, ’cause it’s more like a friendship.” This statement perpetuates a false dichotomy between religion and relationship. True Christianity is indeed about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ("Publisher" objects then immediately concedes...)
but it is also a faith with specific doctrines, practices, and a moral framework established by Scripture. ("Publisher" apparently wanted a song about a particular topic and is offended the songwriter wrote about something else.)
By dismissing Christianity as “not a religion,” the song undermines these important doctrines and the communion and ordinances of Christianity. (Whew. "Undermines?" Really? So, not only didn't the songwriter compose the right song, he actually undermined Christianity. This astonishing claim is based solely on the lyric that Christianity is not a religion.
Does "Publisher" not understand that a "religion," comprised of a system of rules, practices, and behaviors, is differentiated from Christianity because of its uniqueness regarding having a relationship with God?
Yes, Christianity is a religion, like a pedal car and a Ferrari are both automobiles.)
Throughout the song, there is a notable absence of any mention of repentance or the need to acknowledge one’s sins. (Again "Publisher" wanted the songwriter to compose a different song. Apparently every Christian song must explain all the key doctrines of the faith to the satisfaction of "Publisher." That is a rule that must be written down somewhere.)
Throughout the song, there is a notable absence of any mention of repentance or the need to acknowledge one’s sins. (Again "Publisher" wanted the songwriter to compose a different song. Apparently every Christian song must explain all the key doctrines of the faith to the satisfaction of "Publisher." That is a rule that must be written down somewhere.)
The lyrics emphasize talking to Jesus as a “friend” but ignore the fundamental biblical principle that repentance is necessary for a right relationship with God (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9). (It's just too bad the songwriter wrote the song he wanted to write and not what "Publisher" wanted him to write.)
This omission fosters a superficial and incomplete understanding of what it means to be in communion with Christ. (Because every Christian song must provide a complete doctrinal treatise.)
The repetitive refrain, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” while rooted in a classic hymn, is employed in such a way that it reinforces the “Jesus is my boyfriend” syndrome, reducing Jesus to a mere confidant or emotional support figure, rather than recognizing Him as the sovereign Lord who commands our worship and obedience. (Long, unedifying sentence.
The repetitive refrain, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” while rooted in a classic hymn, is employed in such a way that it reinforces the “Jesus is my boyfriend” syndrome, reducing Jesus to a mere confidant or emotional support figure, rather than recognizing Him as the sovereign Lord who commands our worship and obedience. (Long, unedifying sentence.
We need to ask "Publisher," if we talk about a certain thing does that require us to negate the things we don't talk about? Is the songwriter required to write other lyrics about Jesus to describe other aspects of Him? Is Jesus not our friend?)
The Bible presents Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), not just a friend to lean on during tough times. (Oh, so He is a friend? So the songwriter is not wrong after all?)
The song’s casual tone and focus on personal comfort (Again, we can read the lyrics for ourselves. We are unable to lay our finger on any hint of "personal comfort" anywhere in the lyrics.)
The song’s casual tone and focus on personal comfort (Again, we can read the lyrics for ourselves. We are unable to lay our finger on any hint of "personal comfort" anywhere in the lyrics.)
encourage a view of Jesus as a genie, (Sigh...)
existing to fulfill our temporal, physical, and emotional desires. This perspective is far removed from the biblical portrayal of Jesus, who calls us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). The true Christian life involves self-denial, sacrifice, and obedience, not just seeking comfort and companionship.
“Talking to Jesus” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music is a prime example of how modern worship music (The song is not worship music...)
“Talking to Jesus” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music is a prime example of how modern worship music (The song is not worship music...)
distorts the true nature of Christ and the essence of the Christian faith. By promoting a casual, irreverent approach to prayer, dismissing the importance of doctrine, and reducing Jesus to an emotional crutch, this song does a disservice to believers seeking a deeper, more accurate understanding of their relationship with the Almighty God. It is imperative for Christians to discern and critique such songs, ensuring that their worship is rooted in biblical truth and reverence for the holiness of God—and clearly, this is not one of them.
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