Austin French – Born Again

American artist Austin French is a relative newcomer, starting his career in 2014.  He released Wide Open in 2018 and Wake Up Sleeper last year.  Though he did not receive any prestigious awards, he was Dove nominated in 2019 for New Artist of the Year.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Austin French was spiritually dead.  While God could have chosen not to save him, that wasn’t God’s plan.  French is born of Spirit, washed in the Word of God for cleansing.  He wouldn’t have known about it unless a preacher informed him, with God’s Word penetrating deeper than any sword.  While the identity of “You” is not mentioned by name, terms such as “sinner”, “born again”, and “amazing grace” point us to the God of Christianity.

This song follows a slightly modified basic format, with an introduction, conclusion, and a Pre-Chorus that precedes Chorus in its first two iterations.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

This song follows the Bible.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Intro]

Ooh, ooh

This song starts by calling out to Casper the friendly ghost.

[Verse 1]

I was down on my luck, I was stuck

This is not a statement against the sovereignty of God, that things happen without a purpose.  This is an idiom that means that they lack finances and experience hardship as a direct result.

I was running ’round broken-hearted
I was sinking so fast
I couldn’t last falling apart

Chorus clarifies this as a life of sin, leading to death (Proverbs 21:16, Luke 15:11-24, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-2, Colossians 2:13, and 1 Timothy 5:6).

[Pre-Chorus]

And You could’ve ran away
Leaving me there in my shame
Leaving me fighting my pain
But You made a better way

While it’s theoretically possible that God could have left French to his fate, that is not the will of God.

Oh, ohh, ohhh

More Casper references.

[Chorus]

I’ve been saved
Goodbye to the sinner, I’m held by the Father above
No more shame
Called out of the desert and drowned in the power of love
Amazing grace, my soul set free
Ain’t no grave got a hold on me

French describes the process he went through, leaving his rebellious past and embracing Jesus (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

I’m born again, born again

French cannot enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born again, that is, born of Spirit (John 3:1-8).

Washed by the water, I’m clean

That is, washed by the water of God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26).  Water baptism is commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20), but doesn’t save or cleanse us.  However, Scripture is profitable to help French become a better person (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

[Verse 2]

My eyes have been open
You’re showing me all of my life in a new light
Every step, every breath
Like it’s the first time

That is, French was blind spiritually, but now he sees (2 Kings 6:17, Luke 24:31, John 3:3, John 9:39, Acts 26:12-18, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and Ephesians 1:18).

[Bridge]

Preacher told me the good, good news (oh-ohh, oh-ohh)

French cannot have heard about the good news of Christ without a preacher (Romans 10:14).  Contains another Casper reference.

Went way down deep in the river blue (oh-ohh, oh-ohh)

I don’t know what this means.  My best guess is that it cut deep into French’s soul, consistent with the preceding line and Hebrews 4:12.  Contains yet another Casper reference.

Preacher told me the good, good news (oh-ohh, oh-ohh)

Repeats line 1.

But ever since my heart met You

Introductory text to Chorus’ final refrain.  French has been saved from the day he met Jesus.

[Outro]

Washed by the water, I’m washed by the water
Washed by the water, I’m washed by the water (oh, oh!)

See Chorus, line 8 and Intro.

Amazing grace, my soul set free!

References John Newton’s popular hymn Amazing Grace.

Ain’t no grave got a hold on me!

French will experience the final resurrection (Luke 20:34-38, Acts 24:15-16, Romans 6:1-5, Romans 8:11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 1 Corinthians 15:50-56, 2 Corinthians 4:13-14, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

I’m born again, born again
Washed by the water, I’m clean

Repeats Chorus, lines 7 and 8.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The terms “sinner”, “born again”, and “amazing grace” point unbelievers to Christianity, even if they don’t know what they mean.  To them, sin is error, but not violation of God’s laws.  To be born again is a foreign term, something only Christians experience.  They will likely associate Amazing Grace with Newton’s hymn, though perhaps not knowing who originally wrote it.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God in that French celebrates his second birth.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Austin French’s Born Again is Biblical.  French’s message is redemption for sinners, made possible through God’s love for him, bringing Him glory.  Unbelievers will know it’s Christian and speaks of salvation, even if they don’t know what Christianity teaches about becoming a sinner or born again.

This song is inspirational, but not appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Born Again (listen to the song)

Artist: Austin French

Album: Wide Open

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 2:56

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*Copyright © 2018 Meaux Jeaux Music (SESAC) Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears Music (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), Austinfrenchmusic (BMI) Fair Trade Global Songs (BMI) Foundational Songs (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.