Photo by Cullan Smith
The obligatory Hillsong review is here again! We have another wild one, this time with a 2019 release, Another In The Fire, marking my 15th review from this artist. This time, I’ll skip the introduction and move straight to the good stuff!
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. I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Despite the many words sung throughout these lyrics, the message is simple: The God-man, Christ, is the only name by which we may be saved. His death removes barriers between Him and the church and His resurrection gives us hope. starting the sanctification process. His second return is welcomed with natural phenomena and the completed union between Christ and the church.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it agrees with the Bible.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
There’s a grace when the heart is under fire
Another way when the walls are closing in
This speaks of God’s spiritual protection (Ephesians 6:11-17) under relentless attacks from what we know are the three primary modes of attack: the flesh (John 3:6, Romans 8:5, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:6-14, Galatians 5:19-25, Philippians 3:18-19, Colossians 3:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:14, and 2 Peter 2:1-10), the world (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13, John 15:19, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 2:2, Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 3:17, 1 John 4:5, and James 4:4), and the Devil (Genesis 3:1-5, Matthew 4:11, Matthew 16:23, Mark 1:12-13, Mark 8:33, Luke 4:1-13, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 John 3:8-10, and Revelation 20:7-10).
And when I look at the space between
Where I used to be and this reckoning
That is, the journey from the old self to the new self. This combines Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) with the transformation of old/new self (Ezekiel 11:19, Romans 6:1-7, Romans 8:12-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:16-18, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 3:10, and 1 Peter 2:24).
I know I will never be alone
God does not leave or forsake His children (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:5–6).
[Chorus 1]
There was another in the fire
Standing next to me
Refers to Daniel 3:24-25, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to commit idolatry. The fourth in the fire that King Nebuchadnezzar witnessed is most likely the pre-incarnate Christ.
There was another in the waters
Holding back the seas
This is a second metaphor, this time from Moses’ parting of the red sea in Exodus 14:21-22. God is ultimately responsible for dividing it and saving His people Israel.
And should I ever need reminding
Of how I’ve been set free
There is a cross that bears the burden
Where another died for me
I initially thought that this was an example of poor word choice. I argued that it is not the cross that bears our burdens, but the God-Man who was put on it (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9). However, Hillsong doesn’t say that the cross bears our burdens. It bears the burden of a singular person: “where another died for me”. In other words, this cross bears Jesus’ burden. Hillsong is stating the fact that there existed a cross that Jesus died on for us. There’s nothing unbiblical about that!
[Tag 1]
There is another in the fire
Repeats Chorus, line 1 in present tense.
[Verse 2]
All my debt left for dead beneath the waters
Combines Colossians 2:14 with Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12, describing a burial of old self, with all our sin-debt nailed to the cross.
I’m no longer a slave to my sin anymore
As written in Romans 6:17-18.
And should I fall in the space between
What remains of me and this reckoning
This provides a different space between than what was established in Verse 1, lines 3 and 4. This gap is the divide between the remaining, sinful portion of self and obedience to God. Falling in between is metaphorical for falling back into sin (Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:20-22).
Either way I won’t bow
To the things of this world
In other words, should Hillsong fall, they will return to the cross (Proverbs 24:16 and 1 John 2:1-2).
And I know I will never be alone
Repeats Verse 1, line 5.
[Chorus 2]
There is another in the fire
Standing next to me
There is another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
What power set me free
Repeats Chorus 1, lines 1-6, in present tense.
There is a grave that holds no body
That is, Christ rose from the dead (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
And now that power lives in me
That is, the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).
[Tag 2]
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
Repeats Chorus 2 line 1, several times.
[Bridge 1]
I can see the light in the darkness
A metaphor for finding Christ and removed from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23).
As the darkness bows to Him
That is, God’s light drives out darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).
I can hear the roar in the heavens
Much like the Apostle John did in his vision on Patmos (Revelation 4:5, Revelation 10:1-7, and Revelation 11:19).
As the space between wears thin
This is put lightly. In fact, the space between disappears altogether (1 Corinthians 15:52), but I’ll let this one slide. This time…
I can feel the ground shake beneath us
Jesus warned His followers that His return would result in earthquakes (Luke 21:11).
As the prison walls cave in
A nod to Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-40.
Nothing stands between us
Nothing stands between us
This is not the same context as Verses 1 and 2. This refers to the barrier, the divide between Christ and His bride, the church. Romans 8:31-39 provides an ample list of things that will not separate us from God.
[Verse 3]
There is no other name
But the Name that is Jesus
That is, in terms of salvation (Acts 4:11-12).
He who was and still is
And will be through it all
Refers to Christ’s existence that transcends time (Revelation 1:8).
So come what may in the space between
All the things unseen and this reckoning
See commentary in Bridge, lines 6-8.
I know I will never be alone
Repeats Verse 1 line 5.
[Chorus 3]
There’ll be another in the fire
Standing next to me
There’ll be another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
How good You’ve been to me
Repeats Chorus 1, lines 1-6 in future tense.
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
In Christ, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
I love Hillsong’s attitude of counting their blessings regardless of circumstances. It reminds me of Job after Satan afflicted him in Job 1:20-22.
[Bridge 2]
I can see the light in the darkness
As the darkness bows to Him
I can hear the roar in the heavens
As the space between wears thin
I can feel the ground shake beneath us
As the prison walls cave in
Nothing stands between us
Nothing stands between us
Repeats Bridge 1.
I can see the light in the darkness
As the darkness bows to Him
I can hear the roar in the heavens
As the space between wears thin
I can feel the ground shake beneath us
As the prison walls cave in
Nothing stands between us
Repeats most of Bridge 1.
[Chorus 4]
There’ll be another in the fire
Standing next to me
There’ll be another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
How good You’ve been to me
Repeats Chorus 3, lines 1-6.
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
Repeats Chorus 3, lines 7 and 8.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
The name of Jesus is explicitly stated, leading them to understand it to be a Christian song; However, Hillsong uses a lot of metaphors to describe their message. Unfortunately for the typical non-Christian, it will probably sail over their head, unless they’ve taken the time to study basic Christian theology. I think it’s beautifully written, but was probably never intended for unbelievers.
Score: 4/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Christ as the One who is there with us, rescuing us from eternal damnation and to a personal relationship with Himself.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Hillsong United’s Another In The Fire is a good song. Its highly Biblical message of redemption and rescue glorifies God. Those who do not yet follow Jesus will know it’s a Christian song, but will probably find its metaphors confusing, if not poetic.
I recommend it for corporate worship, except for seeker-friendly congregations.
Final Score: 9/10
Artist Info
Track: Another in the Fire (live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Hillsong UNITED
Album: People (Live)
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Rock
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 6:33
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
06/03/2022 – Per peacefulhomemaker’s request, I added Scripture for God’s spiritual protection.
05/07/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Hillsong’s theology.
03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement. I removed my comments about self-centeredness and increased section 1’s score. This raised its overall score from 8.5/10 to 9/10.
11/04/2020 – In light of Morgan’s comment, I lifted my criticism regarding Chorus 1. I also fleshed out section 4 and updated my conclusion to fit my present position. This raised my score from 8/10 to 8.5/10.
04/17/2020 – I had the wrong Scriptures for the world, flesh, and devil! I updated the references.
03/27/2020 – Upon much reflection and prayer on Aaron Scantlen’s commentary, I decided that massive repetition should not impact an outsider’s interpretation and God’s inherent glorification. This increases the score from 7.5/10 to 8/10. This will impact all other reviews to which I offered this criticism.
01/20/2020 – Upon prayerfully reflecting on commenter Maggie’s response, I agree with her and updated my review. It received a small bump, from 7/10 to 7.5/10.
09/30/2019 – Zach’s comment added a Scriptural reference to “As the prison walls cave in”, from Paul and Silas’ time in prison together.
07/07/2019 – I was mistaken on my analysis of the last few lines of the Bridge. Thanks to commenter Laura, section 2 received a slight boost, raising the overall score from 6.5/10 to 7/10.
Comments
Esther Ferguson
Does the phrase ‘this reckoning’ refer to the same thing each time it is used? I’ve previously understood the ‘Day of Reckoning’ to refer to God’s final judgement but in verse 1, it seems to be more of a self-assessment of the person’s current state compared to their past self. The ‘this reckoning’ in verse 2 seems to refer more to a final judgement and I’m confused by verse 3 which talks about ‘the space between the things unseen and this reckoning’. ‘things unseen’ could be a reference to 2 Corinthians 4:18 ‘what is unseen is eternal’ but if that is referring to heaven or being with God (who is referred to an unseen in Matthew’s gospel), surely any divine judgement comes before heaven, not the other way around. Feel the songwriter could have found a more specific word than ‘this’ .
Vince Wright
Esther,
Great question!
If “this reckoning” is a “self-assessment of the person’s current state compared to their past self”, which I believe it is, then “And should I fall in the space between What remains of me and this reckoning” in Verse 2 is, to put it succinctly, backsliding. It is regression towards their past self. I don’t believe that this is about the “day of reckoning”.
As for Verse 3, it says “So come what may in the space between All the things unseen and this reckoning”. “Come what may” is about the future. Obviously, Hillsong hasn’t seen their future. This is a bit odd in a sense because “All the things unseen” is always going to be true for them. They won’t be able to see everything and know every experience they will have beforehand. Thus, “the space between” are events in their lives that occur between the moment they were transformed and this unobtainable state of seeing all things. In context, they are saying “come what may, I know I will never be alone”. That is, Jesus will be there with them through it all.
-Vince Wright
Albert
“Not bow to the things of the world” may refer to Dan. 3:15, they did not bow for the golden image.
Therefore they were thrown in the fire… and there was another in the fire.
Vince Wright
Albert,
Thanks for the Scripture! It adds a further connection to the “another in the fire” theme.
-Vince Wright
Morgan
First, let me preface that your reviews are great! They provide such interesting insight.
Secondly, I don’t know UNITED’s original intent for the lyric “there is a cross that bears the burden where another died for me,” but could it be possible that the intended meaning was the cross bore the burden of Christ’s weight, where He died for us? I don’t want to read too much or too little into it, nor do I want to seem biased (because UNITED is one of my favorite Christian bands), but I also do want to see the best in them.
Vince Wright
Morgan,
Thank you for your comment and compliment!
That is a fascinating perspective that I hadn’t thought about! I can see how that works: the cross itself bears Jesus as its “burden” where He died for me. When you put it that way, it makes a lot more sense!
I’ve updated my review.
-Vince Wright
Morgan
Hi!
Thank you for updating the review (although for me the scoring change wasn’t my goal/intention). Also you’re welcome! 🙂
I think that (again) your reviews are awesome and well thought. That being said, I personally think it’s important to get others’ opinions because we’re all unique and one may interpret something differently than another. So, I just want to say “thank you” for taking precious time out of your day to read our comments and to even ALLOW us to comment.
Thank you for such great reviews and for taking the time to graciously receive others’ insight.
Have a blessed week and a wonderful holiday season!
Vince Wright
Morgan,
I am humbled, thank you for your kind words! I grow as an individual when I allow others to critique my work and prayerfully consider what others say (Proverbs 12:15). This also leads to increased review quality, benefiting others.
-Vince Wright
cosette
Hello Vince, and thanks for your reviews. I have just recently come across “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong, along with your reviews. I can’t stop listening to that song. Last year it was Oceans for me, and now this! Something that occurred to me…In Chorus 1, is it possible the “cross” that bears the burden is a metaphor for what is explained in the next line “where another died for me”. It seems clear in the song that the cross didn’t actually bear the burden of sin, or another would not have needed to die. It is difficult, I think, to determine when words are being used literally verses symbolically. The “poor choice of words” could be seen as artistic license. I thought the cross had been used over the ages to symbolize all Jesus did for us on the cross, though I won’t go into the ways it has also been defamed. Maybe another one for the issue of, “Is the song evangelistic or meant for worship?” I would say “both”! IMHO. Ok thanks again. Bye.
Vince Wright
Cosette,
Thank you for your thoughts!
Artistic license is a hard line to tread. Do you give them the benefit of the doubt or deduct points? I find it difficult to make these decisions when reviewing such content. In this case, I decided that the vague language was worth the critique.
-Vince Wright
cosette
Thanks for your reply, and for your reviews.
-Cosette
Aaron Scantlen
I just found this site and I’m very grateful for the thoughtful analysis. We absolutely have to examine what we are teaching through the songs we sing.
One thought – Length and repetition are definitely a personal preference or a cultural thing. Some cultures can sing “Can’t nobody do me like Jesus,” for 8 minutes and get more and more out of it as they go along. It can embolden and speak to our spirit through repetition that truth and reality of the words we are singing. As a white person who has led worship in many different contexts, including mostly black churches, multi-ethnic churches, and mostly white churches, I have seen different people respond in different ways to different songs. For instance, in churches with mostly German decent backgrounds, I stay away from highly repetitious songs, as they are distracting to the congregation usually. (Generally speaking of course).
I think it would be most helpful if you evaluate on a scriptural basis and not the feel or length/repetition of the song. For one thing, you are allowed legally to skip any part of the song you wish too. So for time or repetitions sake, you could cut some things to make this 4-5 minutes instead of 7-9 in full form.
This is in response to your comment that the repetition distracted from the glorification of God, which I don’t think it does for many people, it actually enhances it. It’s a preference thing, not a biblical thing. Thanks for all you do!
Aaron Scantlen
Vince Wright
Aaron,
Thank you for your thoughts! There are a LOT of songs that I’ve downgraded for repetition, so your commentary is not just for this song, but my review process as a whole. As I continue to review songs and attempt to be consistent with other reviews, I’ve become increasingly aware that my destain for repetition is more a personal preference and less lazy songwriting on the author’s part. I will be thinking and praying on this subject for this, previous, and future reviews.
Should I decide to agree with you, expect to see many changes to my reviews.
-Vince Wright
Amanda Reed
I absolutely love this song. It speaks to me that when we go through trials God is with us. He is with us in the fire and He’s holding back the seas. We are bringing this to our congregation Sunday morning
Carol
I’m still fuzzy on “the reckoning.” Would you paraphrase the lines of the song that include “the reckoning?”
Vince Wright
Carol,
Sure! Reckoning has many definitions. One such definition is “a person’s view, opinion, or judgment”. So, a short paraphrase would be “I used to have one view of life, now I have a different view”, with an obvious allusion to old and new self.
-Vince Wright
Charlene
My spirit does not click or agree with this song… Something is off about it
Vince Wright
Charlene,
What do you think is off about it?
-Vince Wright
Zach
“I can feel the ground shake beneath us as the prison walls cave in.” Isn’t this a shout out to Paul and Silas in prison?
Vince Wright
Zach,
Good call! I added it.
-Vince Wright
Charles
The underlying question of the song is “What do you do when hard times come?” The first chorus is written in the past tense, the second chorus in the present tense, and the third chorus in the future tense. The idea is that the same Jesus who brought us through the hard time, is still bringing us through and will continue to bring us through. I can see how Christ has worked in my past, knowing that He is working in my present, and have the faith that He will work in my future. The song is a song of testimony. That’s why you felt the “me” centered. I wasn’t written for non-believers but for encouragement for believers. I imagine non-believers would struggle with parts of the New Testament too.
Vince Wright
Charles,
Thank you for your comments! I added the bits about past/present/future tense as I did not notice it on first blush. I also have a better understanding of why I saw me-centeredness throughout the lyrics, but I think Hillsong could have communicated that better.
Yes, I agree that some would struggle with the New Testament, though perhaps not the basics on the person of Jesus. Certainly Revelation! I struggle with that book.
-Vince Wright
Roger Cobb
Was your use of the word “obfuscate” intentionally ironic? Because the sentence was “rendered obscure, unclear, and unintelligible” until I searched it’s meaning. If your irony was intentional, then you can insert a clapping hand emoji right here.
Vince Wright
Roger,
I am afraid that you give me too much credit. I am not that brilliant. I was not attempting irony. What I meant is that God’s glory is hidden, obscure, and hazy.
-Vince Wright
peacefulhomemaker
Can you add Bible References for “God’s spiritual protection under relentless attacks”? In your explanation for verse 1
Vince Wright
peacefulhomemaker,
Sure! I added one.
-Vince Wright
Laura
“I disagree with the notion that nothing will separate us. In fact, what separates us from God is unrepentant sin, still within our purview and choice (Revelation 2:5). Such a choice is a sign that that particular individual is not God’s (John 6:37).”
I agree that unrepentant sin greatly hinders our relationship with God.
But it cannot permanently separate the believer from God, because Christ paid for that sin. Until known sin is repented of, the relationship will be strained/ lacking but not severed.
The passage in Romans 8 is pretty clear when it says “… nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”
Also, since Romans is written to believers, it doesn’t seem fitting to cite the unrepentant sin of those who were never saved.
tastywallet
Laura,
Thanks for expressing your view! I was thinking more along the lines of people who say they are Christians, but don’t have evidence of their faith (James 2:14), but I see your point. For the genuine Christian, there would not be an unrepentant sin to separate us. I’ve updated my review.
-TastyWallet
Maggie
Goodness, so sad to discect someone’s testimony!
This song was birthed out of the writers struggle on finding his son had autism and how he and his wife knew this may be a fire or feel like a flood but God is in it with them!!!!! They give all glory to God… This song is a declaration of God’s goodness.
To look at the psalms in the way you have would discount more than half they a self centered ,honest about their humanity but end in Paris and adoration of God who accepts our weaknesses but thank God gives us a way out.
Vince Wright
Maggie,
Thank you for your challenge!
We sang this one at church recently and I had no indication that the author was self-focused. After reading your comment, I prayerfully re-reviewed the lyrics and found that yes, it is no more self-focused than the honest writings of Psalms.
I’ll update this song as soon as I get a chance. Expect a small boost in rating!
-Vince Wright
Joy
I agree!! I found this song absolutely amazing and deeper than most Christian songs out there. I personally can relate to this song. My husband and I lost our 5 year old daughter after a long battle with traumatic brain injury that happened when she was 5 months old. As the writer indicates there is a special kind of grace that God gives us when we walk through the fire and we have the reassurance that God will be right there in the fire with us.
Maggie
God bless you!!!!!!! I think the loss o a child must be the biggest challenge ever!!!!!!!!! The prosperity gospel can’t handle your testimony!!!! But scripture says I want to know Christ and to fellowship in his sufferings!!!! He is in the suffering with us holding us. David spoke to his soul why are you so downcast. I really feel that this song reflects this attitude too and makes a declaration that there is another in the fire thank God and he knows the heartbreak of the loss of a child.
You know you will see your little one again .May the God of all comfort keep you in perfect peace even though your heart aches. It’s easy to believe in God when thins are good. What a light you are in this heartbreak to keep proclaiming that God is Good.
God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joy
Aww thank you for your encouragement. Yes, after going through hardships it really causes me to be intolerant of prosperity gospel. God is good all the time and ultimately everything is meant for his glorification. I saw that my last sentence of my original text was cut off…… what I had meant to say was when we go through painful hardships God truly does give an extra measure of grace and we experience a closeness to God in a way that would never be experienced otherwise.
Maggie
Just thinking guys,,,,, since you are so brilliant!!!! Why don’t you write a song and allow it to be critiqued?
This song is testimony!! I love hearing raw from the heart testimony God who is directed to understand it we are bystanders.
Also “nothing can separate us from the Love of God, shall trouble, hardships or persecution, or famine or sword, neither height nor any thing in creation. Roman’s 8 ,35
Steve Barhydt
Maggie,
I am curious as to why you choose to come back and sarcastically attack Vince when he agreed with you and changed his review back on 1/20 and raised the overall score.
One need not be a song writer to review a song. This is especially true when reviewing a lyric for Biblical accuracy. Which, by the way, this song rated a 9 out of 10.
The lowest score this song received was in the “How would an outsider interpret the song?” section for how the unbeliever may react to it ( a 4 out of ten). This section is by it’s very nature, very subjective and yet Vince admits “I think it’s beautifully written, but was probably never intended for unbelievers.”
There is nothing in this “low rating” that diminishes the personal testimony of the songwriter. It is, rather, an honest opinion, that with church attendance at an all time low (https://news.gallup.com/poll/248837/church-membership-down-sharply-past-two-decades.aspx) most unbelievers do not speak “Christianese” and, therefore, will not appreciate the significance of the multiple metaphors used in this song.
I suggest that you read the “Evaluation Criteria” under the “Additional Info” tab on this website as it will give you better insight into Vince’s heart and mind as to why this website exists.
Finally, this website is one of the few that I have ever found where the author of the website will take the comments offered by other commentators and,with prayer and additional considerations, change his mind!!!
In light of this fact, the personal attacks (“since you are so brilliant!!!!”) seem to me to be petty and unhelpful.