When I was in high school and college I loved the music of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary. I still think they had one of the purest sounds ever recorded. While they didn’t share many of my political views they wrote and sang some incredible music.
One of my favorite songs by them was not one of their most popular. It was simply entitled “Hymn.” It spoke of institutional religion without any reality in faith. It was sung from the perspective of a young boy as he went and observed the hypocrisy of ritualism without truth. I have often wondered if it were not a song written before its time. Because the lyrics speak volumes to the contemporary church, I’m afraid. Below I will print the lyrics and you can hear Paul Stookey sing it HERE.
It certainly gives us pause to think:
Sunday morning, very bright, I read Your book by colored light
That came in through the pretty window picture.I visited some houses where they said that You were living
And they talked a lot about You
And they spoke about Your giving.
The passed a basket with some envelopes;
I just had time to write a note
And all it said was “I believe in You.”Passing conversations where they mentioned Your existence
And the fact that You had been replaced by Your assistants.
The discussion was theology,
And when they smiled and turned to me
All that I could say was “I believe in You.”I visited Your house again on Christmas or Thanksgiving
And a balded man said You were dead,
But the house would go on living.
He recited poetry and as he saw me stand to leave
He shook his head and said I’d never find You.My mother used to dress me up,
And while my dad was sleeping
We would walk down to Your house without speaking.
We must be certain that our churches are filled with truth and love, and be able to point them to the One who is not dead . . . but is alive!!!
Filed under: The Church, The Gospel, Theology, Worship | Leave a comment »
Here I Stand . . . I Can Do Nothing Else 