Jesus Culture (Feat. Kim Walker-Smith) – In The River

Jesus Culture is an off-shoot band of Bethel Church that focuses on youth, much like Hillsong’s band Hillsong Young & Free.  There is exists a mammoth 37 albums and EP’s under the Jesus Culture Music label.

Also, check out my reviews of Move, Your Love Never Fails, You Won’t Relent, and Rooftops.

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?

There is some sort of flow of goodness that radiates from God in heaven onto people on earth. Whatever this river is, it seems to release prisoners, invoke dancing, and provide internal joy.  In response, we become spiritually alive.

Jesus Culture relies on us Christians making assumptions to “read between the lines” in lieu of clear explanation.  For example, I could reasonably assume that this “river” is God’s Presence that emanates from Himself to His children; However, the lyrics could make this explanation clearer by explicitly using the phrase “His Presence” in the song.  Perhaps the Chorus could say, “we come alive in Your Presence”?  If these assumptions are incorrect, then I’m completely lost.

This song follows a slightly modified basic format.  Pre-Chorus/Chorus doesn’t start until after Verse 2.  Outro is essentially a modified Chorus.

Score: 6/10

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

I’ll subtract two points to assume that “river” is God’s Presence and another point to assume that in Chorus, we come alive because of Jesus.  If these assumptions are correct, then the song is Biblical.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

There is a river where goodness flows
There is a fountain that drowns sorrows

God’s Presence removes sadness, finding rest for all who cast their worries onto Him (Matthew 11:28-30 and 1 Peter 5:7).

There is an ocean deeper than fear
The tide is rising, rising

God’s Presence is bigger than fear (1 Samuel 30:6, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 118:6, 2 Corinthians 7:5-6, and Hebrews 13:6).

[Verse 2]

There is a current stirring deep inside
It’s overflowing from the heart of God
The flood of heaven crashing over us
The tide is rising, rising

God’s Presence outflows from God to us through the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (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).

[Pre-Chorus]

Bursting, bursting
Up from the ground, we feel it now
Bursting, bursting
Up from the ground, we feel it now

That is, Christians experience God’s Presence.

NOTE: We can become more sensitive to God’s Presence by:

• Aligning our desire with God’s (Psalm 51:10, Jeremiah 24:7, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 2:29, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and 2 Corinthians 7:10).
• Studying Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
  Obeying God’s commandments (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).
• Spending time with God in prayer, alone just like Jesus did (Matthew 14:1-13, Matthew 26:29, Matthew 26:42, Mark 6:30-32, Mark 14:36, Luke 4:1-2, Luke 4:14-15, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12-13, Luke 22:39-44, and John 18:11).

[Chorus]

We come alive in the river

How does experiencing God’s Presence make us come alive?  We must make another assumption, that this references our receiving Jesus, who raised to life our spiritual deadness (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

We come alive in the river
We come alive in the river
We come alive in the river

Repeats line 1.

[Bridge]

Break open prison doors
Set all the captives free

As promised by God in Isaiah 61:1 and proclaimed by Jesus as fulfilled in Luke 4:18-21, Christ’s Presence prompts His children to repent and trust in Him (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:36-38, Acts 3:19-21, Acts 20:21, and 2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Spring up a well, spring up a well
Spring up a well in me

Jesus Culture requests living water that refreshes and restores their thirsty souls (Jeremiah 17:13, Zechariah 14:8-9, John 4:7-26, John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-13, Revelation 6:9-11, Revelation 7:13-17, Revelation 21:6-7, and Revelation 22:1-5).

Nothing can stop this joy

Probably a reference to John 16:22.

We’re dancing in the streets

Dancing is how we express our joy.

Spring up a well, spring up a well
Spring a well in me

Repeats lines 3 and 4.

[Outro]

Spring up a well
Spring up a well
Spring up a well, spring up a well
Spring up a well in me

Repeats Bridge, lines 3 and 4.

We come alive in the river
We come alive in the river
We come alive in the river
We come alive in the river

Repeats Chorus.

Score: 7/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

I do not expect that unbelievers will make the same assumptions as I, leading to mass confusion to Jesus Culture’s intended meaning.  This song is thick with oceanic metaphors that won’t make sense to those outside Christianity.  Whatever Christians are doing, unbelievers will think they are joyous and free.

Score: 2/10

4. What does this song glorify?

I’ve made a few assumptions to show that this song glorifies God when His Presence causes us to live.  However, if these assumptions are incorrect, then it’s hard to conclude that God is glorified.

Score: 6/10

Closing Comments

Jesus Culture’s In The River is mediocre.  Though unclear on oceanic terminology, if we assume it references God’s Presence, then it glorifies God in that we experience joy, release, and the Holy Spirit who lives in us.  If not, then I have no idea what Jesus Culture talks about.  Similarly, unbelievers will find interpretation difficult.

I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 5.5/10

Artist Info

Track: In The River (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Jesus Culture (Feat. Kim Walker-Smith)

Album: Let It Echo (Live)

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 4:37

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2016 Jesus Culture Music (ASCAP) Red Red Pop (SESAC) Common Hymnal Publishing (ASCAP) Common Hymnal Digital (BMI) Capitol CMG Genesis (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) Capitol CMG Amplifier (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/31/2022 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Jesus Culture’s theology.