On a more serious note, there follows the third hymn I wrote while on holiday in August. I’ve been meaning to do something for a while - at least since I did “Ten Propositions on Penal Substitution” for Ben Myers at faith-theology.blogspot.com - to bring together several models of the atonement in one hymn. Four models here, to be precise: reconciliation, ransom, sacrifice, and justification. Hope you like it (”limited atonement” Calvinists excepted!). And hope you non-Brits will know the tune - Gonfalon Royal: it’s beautiful and one of my favourites.
Imagine all the countless ways
that picture how the Saviour saves.
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise
for cruel cross and empty grave.
He draws together Greek and Jew,
he razes walls and ends all strife;
not for a pre-selected few,
but for the world he gives his life.
He pays the ransom, setting free
the slaves of sin and selfishness;
he liberates us all to be
the slaves of grace and righteousness.
He gives himself in sacrifice,
unblemished lamb for sinners slain;
he gives himself, while men play dice,
to expiate the crime of Cain.
He puts us right when we are wrong,
as judge he takes the felon’s place;
released disciples sing a song -
the prosecution has no case.
Lord, finish now the world you planned -
perfecting is the Spirit’s art -
the world in Christ that you began,
the world you love with all your heart.
(Amen.)
(Tune: Gonfalon Royal)
Kim Fabricius
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Richard 09.26.06 at 6:10 pm
Not a bad effort Kim
- if I get to choose the hymns next Good Friday, I reckon we’ll be sing it. You’re right about the tune. It’s a good un. For those beyond these shores who don’t know it, you could substitute another “long metre” tune. You can get some idea how it goes here.
DH 09.26.06 at 7:03 pm
Isn’t all of this contingent apon us “opening the gift”. The tune seems to imply for all of the world. Atonement is for all the world “for as manywho Believe.” “To as many that Believe to them He gave the power to be the Sons of God.” While God made Salvation and atonement to the world it was made avaliable to all “to as many that receive”. We know not all will receive the gift and thus reject it (”If you deny Me I will deny you before My Father in heaven.”).
So I like the tune and hymn with only a few adding of worlds like available, to them that receive, etc.
I do like “He puts us right when we are wrong,
as judge he takes the felon’s place;
released disciples sing a song -
the prosecution has no case.”
In that being a disciple of Jesus requires having a relationship with which is only entered into by Faith in Christ as God and Belief in the resurrection. (”If you confess with your mouth the LJ and Believe in your heart that God has risen from the dead you shall be saved.”)