Photo by Lemuel Butler
I started this website in part because I was frustrated with a lot of the songs I listened to. I was given one of those “wow worship” collections last year and found that only about 10-15% of it didn’t have theological compromises. I thought that Hillsong was the worst offender of them all.
After reviewing 56 diverse songs, ranging from contemporary to hard rock, from alternative to rap, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not nearly as bad as I thought! 39 of them rated 8 or higher, 9 scored between 6 to 7.5, and 8 are lower than a 6 (though admittedly, one was not meant to be a Christian song).
The most requested artist for review is the Australian juggernaut Hillsong, which includes its separate labels Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship, and Hillsong Young and Free. A total of Hillsong 7 reviews yielded a score ranging from 9 to 10, including popular titles such as Oceans, What a Beautiful Name, and my most popular review, So Will I.
Through all my reviews thus far, I have been pleasantly surprised by the sheer volume of modern Christian songs that score high. With all the positive energy emanating from Hillsong, next on the chopping block is Grace To Grace. Let’s see how well it does!
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?
The central theme resonating throughout Hillsong Worship’s Grace to Grace is the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Christ thought we were worth the price He paid for what He received, namely, us. In response, we offer praise to God for what He has done, from now to eternity. The explicit reference to Jesus in the Bridge is a welcomed addition, given the power that is His name. Many artists have opted to reference Him indirectly, which is fine if done right; However, I prefer clear communication, perhaps to a fault.
With a standard thrice refrain, it is not overly repetitive as other songs have been. Uniqueness is a quality I admire in songwriting. It is clear to me that a lot of work went into these lyrics, crafted by talented songwriters, without mincing words. It has a slight archaic flavor to it, adding some depth to its wonderful message.
I appreciate the aesthetic and poetic nature of each line. It reminds me of the Songs of Solomon, a beautiful love song between King Solomon and one of his *ahem* 700 wives! He must really love this one.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
100 percent of Hillsong’s lyrics agree with the Bible. Lyrics posted with permission*.
[Verse 1]
If love endured that ancient cross
How precious is my Savior’s blood
Christ’s blood is so precious, its flow on the cross washes us clean of our sins (see Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).
The beauty of heaven wrapped in my shame
The image of love upon death’s frame
A beautiful contrast between light and darkness, Christ’s suffering paying for our sins (see Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, 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).
[Pre-Chorus 1]
If having my heart was worth the pain
What joy could You see beyond the grave
If love found my soul worth dying for
The answer, of course, is a heavenly celebration (see Luke 15:7-10 and Luke 15:21-24).
[Chorus 1]
How wonderful, how glorious
My Savior’s scars victorious
My chains are gone, my debt is paid
From death to life and grace to grace
With the same Biblical support using verses in Verse 1, lines 3 and 4, Hillsong adds further detail to describe debt payment, God’s glory, and Christ’s victory over the grave (see Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
[Verse 2]
If heaven now owns that vacant tomb
How great is the hope that lives in You
The passion that tore through hell like a rose
The promise that rolled back death and its stone
Christ’s victory over death gives us hope of a better life, one spent with God free of corruption, guilt, shame, and pain (see Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14, and Revelation 21:1-4).
As for the third line, “hell” can either mean the “realm of the dead” or the “lake of fire” depending on its context. Here, it refers to the former in that Jesus defeated the grave (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14).
[Pre-Chorus 2]
If freedom is worth the life You raised
Oh where is my sin, where is my shame?
If love paid it all to have my heart
Our sin and shame are as far as the east is from the west (see Psalm 103:12).
[Bridge]
When I see that cross, I see freedom
That is, free from the bondage and enslavement of sin (see 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).
When I see that grave, I’ll see Jesus
As prophesied in Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, and Revelation 14:14, Jesus will come back again the same way He left. He will judge the living and the dead, a glorious and fearful day (Revelation 19:15-21).
And from death to life, I will sing Your praise
In the wonder of Your grace
For all eternity, we will sing and declare God’s praise regardless of our circumstances (see Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13)
[Tags]
How my soul will sing Your praise
In the wonder of Your grace
How my soul will sing Your praise
An extension of Bridge, lines 3 and 4.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
The Gospel message is clear and uncompromised within the listening ear of an outsider to Christianity. Anyone with a remote understanding of Christianity will immediately recognize it as a praise and worship song towards Jesus.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
With such a clear picture of the Gospel, Grace to Grace glorifies the Almighty with finesse and style.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Hillsong Worship can add Grace to Grace to its collection of highly Biblical tunes. Its relentless, fabulous and Christ-centered lyrics continues to wow audiences of all walks, furthering the Gospel towards unbelievers and bringing glory to Jesus.
Make that 4 songs rated 8 or higher!
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Grace to Grace (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Hillsong Worship
Album: Let There Be Light (Live)
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2016
Duration: 7:31
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
05/07/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Hillsong’s theology.
03/16/2020 – Added commentary on “The passion that tore through hell like a rose” in response to commenter anotherberean.
Comments
G Koh
The ‘rose’ line is just confusing. It’s not at all clear, from just the text, what is meant. How does a rose tear through hell?
For me, I like to understand the words I’m singing. This one would just have me confused, not sure what I would mean if I let the words of my lips. I want to sing with heart. This line prevents that.
anotherberean
Hi. I noticed you have not commented on the line “The passion that tore through hell like a rose”. Joel Houston has said of this line via his Twitter Account when asked about it that, “Jesus was the valentine-seed planted into our depraved dirt in love, breaking thru sin and death in the shape and color of living beauty”.
For me that one line is enough not to recommend any believers to sing this song. Why is there a need to syncretize the Lord Jesus to the St Valentine myth of the Roman Catholics? As a matter of fact, athough the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine as a “saint of the church”, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable information about him. He is the patron saint of lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers.
Vince Wright
anotherberean,
Thank you for your comment! I can confirm Houston’s intent and disagree with it for the same reasons as you presented. Having said that, if we read the lyrics in the context of the rest of this song, it communicates Jesus’ defeating death. I added clarification commentary to this review.
Just so that you are aware, I am more concerned about what the lyrics communicate than the intent of the artist.
-Vince Wright
Steve Barhydt
I have two thoughts on this line…
First, when I say to my wife of 39 years “Happy Valentines Day” and buy her flowers, am I syncretizing my love for her and appreciation of our wonderful marriage with the St. Valentine myth or am I merely appropriating a culturally understood way of saying “I love you”? I can tell you definitively that I couldn’t care less about St. Valentine and never give him a second thought. My thoughts are on the object of my love!
Secondly, (and I didn’t know this was a thing!), there is apparently a trend in giving seeds instead of flowers and candy on Valentines day. These are called, surprisingly enough, “Valentine Seeds” https://www.amazon.com/Valentine-Seed-packets-Valentines-valentines/dp/B078RCW4Q4
Could this be what Houston is referring to? Considering John 12:23:24 (NIV) I believe that it is a distinct possibility…
23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
In order for the gift a “valentine seed” to be fully realized, it must be planted in the hope that a beautiful flower will rise.
If we accept this line of thinking, both the line in the verse in the song AND Houston’s comment are in agreement with scripture.
In conclusion, it seems to me that many people who comment on this website, particularly about Hillsongs and Bethel music, are looking for something within the song (i.e. nit picking) to disqualify it merely because of it’s association to the aforementioned groups.
Brothers and sisters in Christ I beg you to read and live Colossians 3:12-14
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Neal Cruco
“In conclusion, it seems to me that many people who comment on this website, particularly about Hillsongs and Bethel music, are looking for something within the song (i.e. nit picking) to disqualify it merely because of it’s association to the aforementioned groups.”
Steve,
This quote really seems to sum up my thoughts regarding many criticisms that I’ve seen on this site. Of course, we want to carefully examine the music that we sing. And of course, the purpose of this site will attract people that are passionate about doing that. But I agree with you that music from Hillsong, Bethel, and possibly other big artists is disproportionately criticized because of the false beliefs held by those artists. Even though the stated purpose of this site is to analyze the lyrics, not the artist.
I appreciate the concern that people have for false doctrine. And if someone feels compelled to boycott music from an artist because of that artist’s beliefs, then they should do so. But in that case, be honest about why you’re boycotting. Don’t try to find some justification for calling the lyrics unbiblical if your real concern is the artist’s beliefs.
I’m not talking about anyone or any song specifically. As I said, that sentence of yours just really spoke to me regarding the comments I’ve seen here.
JOONHAN KIM
I don’t know that I would think of “valentine-seed” as “St. Valentine’s seed”. The word valentine is commonly used in conjunction with love. If I asked a loved one to be my valentine, it doesn’t designate that I believe IN St. Valentine, just that the connection with the word itself connotes love. I believe sometimes people over-analyze lyrics, and this is one that is construed as such.