Photo by Mekht
Bethel Church was founded in 1952 in Redding, California.Ā They release their music under the label Bethel Music, which became active in 2001.Ā They producedĀ several albums, so many that I dare not count them all.
They won two GMA Dove in 2016: one is Worship Song of the Year for their work onĀ No Longer Slaves.Ā The other Instrumental Album of the Year for their albumĀ Without Words: Synthesia.
Check out my otherĀ Bethel Music reviews.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Bethel-music-back-to-life-live-lyrics.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!Ā ReadĀ About the Berean TestĀ andĀ Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.Ā IĀ strongly encourageĀ you toĀ considerĀ this artistās theologyās potential blessings and dangers by visitingĀ Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Bethel Music has been set free from the shackles of sin and shame, made worthy, redeemed by Jesus Christ and belonging to Him.
Site Note: To those annoyed by massive repetition, Verse 4 repeats the same line 4 times in a row, and Spontaneous essentially repeats the same two lines 10 times in a row.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it is Scriptural.
[Chorus]
Line 1: Essentially quotes from Galatians 2:20.
Line 2: The concept of being born again comes from John 3:3.Ā Freedom is described in Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16.
Lines 3 and 4: Contrasts Bethel Music’s deadness in their former sin with their new life in Jesus (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).
The word āHallelujahā is a compound Hebrew phrase, with āhalleluā meaning āa joyous praise in songā and ājahā or āyahā, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Put together, we are singing āwe joyfully praise God in songā when we use this word.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-6: Lazarus in John 11:43 is a literal example of a figurative truth described in Chorus, lines 3 and 4.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: Dead religion is probably a reference to James 1:26 and James 2:26.
Lines 3 and 4: Bethel Music’s only hope is in Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6).
Lines 5 and 6: Repeats Verse 1, lines 5 and 6.
[Verse 3]
Lines 1 and 2: Not that Bethel Music is guilty of sin, but that they don’t have to suffer the heavenly consequences of their lawbreaking given that their sin was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).
Lines 3 and 4: Their worth comes from Christ (Luke 20:34:35).
Lines 5 and 6: Repeats Verse 1, lines 5 and 6.
[Verse 4]
Lines 1-4: In other words, there is no way to “make up” for what Jesus did for them.Ā They must simply receive it as a gift and show gratitude through praise (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 28:8-9, Matthew 28:16-17, Luke 24:50-53, John 12:13, and John 20:28) and obedience (Matthew 25:34-40, John 14:15, John 14:21-24, John 15:10-14, 1 Peter 1:14-15, 1 John 2:3-5, 1 John 4:19-20, 1 John 5:2-3, and 2 John 1:6).
Lines 5-8: Repeats/essentially repeats Verse 1, lines 5 and 6.
[Spontaneous]
Lines 1 and 2: Yes, and He will not lose anyone who is His (John 6:39, John 17:12, and John 18:9).
Lines 3-20: Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers will think this song is about praising Jesus because of what He did for Bethel Music.Ā They will probably think Jesus died for them.Ā This dead giveaway is Bethel Music’s explicit usage of “Christ”, “born again”, “faith”, “hallelujah”, and “heaven”.Ā Bethel Music uses mostly everyday language.Ā “Dead religion” will likely give them pause; However, “born again” will likely elude them without deeper research into the matter.
Score: 9/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus as Bethel Music’s source of life, whom they celebrate for His efforts to save them from eternal damnation.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Bethel Music’sĀ Back To Life is great. They bring us back to the moment that they decided to follow Jesus, remembering what He did for them. That is, He freed them from sin and death and gave them newness of life. These things glorify God. Unbelievers will likely interpret similarly, though likely not understanding what “born again” means.
This song is suitable for corporate worship.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Back To Life (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Bethel Music (Feat. Zahriya Zachary)
Album: Homecoming (Live)
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2021
Duration: 6:36
Agree?Ā Disagree?Ā Don’t be shy or have a cow!Ā Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
08/08/2024 – Removed criticism of “worthy” based on previous discussions.Ā Thanks to Arianna for bringing this up!Ā This raised the song’s score from 7.5/10 to 9.5/10.
Related reviews:
Bethel Music (Feat. Jenn Johnson & Mitch Wong) – The Blood
Bethel Music (Feat. Cory Asbury and Gable Price) ā Homecoming
Bethel Music (Feat. David Funk) ā Beauty
Church of the City (Feat. Chris McClarney) ā He Lives
Maverick City Music (Feat. Naomi Raine, Chandler Moore & Todd Galberth) – Good News
Branan Murphy – Life Is Hard. God Is Good.
Travis Cottrell – The Reason
Comments
Arianna
Hello! I hope you are having a blessed day. I really love this song, and just wanted to share my opinion. More specific to what you said about that the term “worthy” shows that Bethel is saying that they are “worthy” of Jesus.
When I heard that part for the first time, honestly I didn’t perceive it as that. But rather saying, “when something says I am Worthless.” Being worthless is a more negative connotation in contrast to being Un-Worthy. And many who aren’t believers feel that way. Sure it might not be the main message but I think it gives hope in that way. True they probably could’ve just said Worthless, but with mental health and self-worth personally I think it gets the message across. Also, it probably wouldn’t really match well with the rhyming of the song. (As a Youth worship leader who sings both English AND Spanish. There are songs like that).
I do really appreciate your work in our community. And I rather don’t feel any conviction in this song, I wouldn’t completely disregard it over one word that shows up once, when the setup alluded to what it means.
Vince Wright
Arianna,
Thank you for bringing this up!
I had a previous discussion with Steve at https://www.thebereantest.com/bethel-music-feat-jenn-johnson-mitch-wong-the-blood on the word “worthy”. I simply need to bring this review up to speed on my current thinking.
-Vince Wright
Keith
Vince, what about the phrase āJust like Lazarus Oh, You brought me back to lifeā? Itās the ābackā to life concept that sticks out. āBackā seems to indicate there must have been 3 stages, where (1) a person once had life, (2) something happened where he didnāt have it anymore, and (3) he has now returned to that same life.
Scripture seems to be clear that there are only 2 stages: (1) we are born into sin, and (2) believers upon salvation are born again with a new life, and are a new creation. That person isnāt really going ābackā to anything, are they?
Vince Wright
Keith,
Thank you for your comments!
You raise an interesting point. However, I think that the first model is correct. Allow me to explain why.
I agree that mankind is born into sin. In one fashion or another, and although we work hard to avoid it, we break His laws. However, I would argue that babies are, in fact, innocent. They have done nothing wrong. Yes, they are capable of doing terrible things later in life, but at that moment, what sin can God hold against infants? If they die in that state, there is no sin they committed that requires forgiveness. King David recognized in 2 Samuel 12:23 that he would see his dead child again.
I realize that this is a controversial topic and that faithful believers are going to disagree with me and insist on the second model. If that’s the case, then feel free to drop this song and pick up something else.
-Vince Wright
Scott
While I understand where you are coming from on this point. I would say that the whole song speaks to Jesus as the source of our salvation and worthiness. “No longer I who live, but Christ in me..” On our own we are not worthy, but in Jesus, we have been made children of God, heirs, set free from sin, not because of our worthiness or works, but because of Jesus finished work. Now we have no condemnation in Him (Romans 8). We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5), because of Him. Because of Jesus we are made “the righteousness of God (2Corinthians 5). Since the whole song points to Jesus as the author of our salvation, and source of new life.
Since the entire song is from the standpoint of a believer praising and thanking Jesus for their salvation, I don’t think it makes sense to say that they are suddenly speaking from the standpoint of a non believer, or pre-conversion, in the 3rd verse… Rather, it seems clear to me that they are referencing the truth that because of Jesus, they have been made worthy, not because of themselves but because of His finished work on the cross, and resurrection power. In other words (1 Corinthians 6):”..you are not your own, you were bought at great price..”
Also, “I point to the price You paid” and “I point to the empty grave” in that order helps make the same case. He paid my debts, not me, and He rose from the grave in power to make it so, not me. Romans 8 “Who can bring a charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies, who can condemn..” Nothing has the power to undo what Jesus has done for us. If He has made us new, and set us free then we are free indeed. š
Nate
I’ve always interpreted that line as, “When someone says I’m not worthy, it doesn’t matter that I’m not worthy beause of the death and resurrection of Jesus.” It’s reminds me of Romans 4:4-5 – “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness”. I’ve always seen the line, “I’ll point to that empty grave,” as their proclamation of faith, and if faith being counted as righteousness is good enough for Paul, it’s good enough for me
J
I can understand the subtraction of points for outsider clarity, but I’m not convinced it’s appropriate for the other criteria.
This is because response to “When something says I’m not worthy” is to point to the empty grave, which the Chorus, when read in its entirety, ties to one’s new identity in Christ, Who is worthy:
No longer I who livŠµ, but Christ in me
For I’ve been born again, my heart is free
The hope of Heaven before me, the grave behind
Hallelujah, You brought me back to life
So, the reasoning then becomes: when I’m reminded of being unworthy, I know that when the Father looks at me He sees Jesus (compare e.g. Col 2:9-15, 2 Cor 5:21, Gal 3:27 etc), who is worthy.
Vince Wright
J,
Thank you for your comments!
My chief complaint is that the wording makes it sound like pointing to the empty grave makes Bethel Music deserving of receiving Christ when they are not. I understand the point you are making. From a personal perspective, I should be reminded that I am unworthy because it keeps me humble. Bethel Music seems to be resisting their unworthiness.
-Vince Wright
Michael
I disagree. I would say you would have to be interpreting it from that lens. Even the most anti-bethel friends i have have said this was a good song. I believe a lot of those small issues would only go noticed by people focusing on the wrong things in church. His graces cleanses us so we are covered aby His blood. Thus making us “worthy” to enter into the kingdom.