Kings Kaleidoscope – Felix Culpa

Kings Kaleidoscope is a ten-person band, forming in 2010 and lead by singer/songwriter Chad Gardner. They are an independent pop/rock group, releasing three studio albums: Becoming Who We Are (2014), Beyond Control (2016), and Zeal (2019).

They also released several EP’s, including Sin (2011), Asaph’s Arrows (2012), Joy Has Dawned (2012), Live In Color (2014), Live In Focus (2015), Live In Season (2015), Live In Between (2018), and The Rush (2019).

Insofar as I am aware, no prestigious awards are associated with this act.

Check out my reviews of their songs Safe Retreat and A Prayer.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Kings-kaleidoscope-felix-culpa-lyrics.

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?

The title of this song is a Latin phrase that literally means “fortunate fall”.  This serves as the main theme of this song, namely, that Kaleidoscope is grateful for their fall into sin, not because it was good, but because they get to experience the overwhelming love, grace, and forgiveness of God.  Their inward spirit is torn, desiring to follow Jesus and to continue in sin.  Their past is filled with horrors, a collection of tales that marred them, separated from God.  Yet, by His grace, Christ’s shed blood redeemed them.  Kaleidoscope hates their sin and sings of God’s sweet salvation, clinging onto grace upon grace.

Score: 10/10

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

The lyrics are in agreement with Scripture.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: The light of God exposes Kaleidoscope for who they are (Acts 17:11 and Ephesians 5:13): deceitful and desperately wicked at heart (Jeremiah 17:9).

Lines 3 and 4: These sin-stained people sing of their Savior’s grace.  What is that about?  See Verse 3.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: References spiritual warfare that rages inside Kaleidoscope (Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 7:14-25, Ephesians 6:12-17, and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Lines 3 and 4: Rewords ideas in Verse 1, lines 3 and 4.

[Hook]

Lines 1-4: Felix Culpa is Latin for “fortunate fall”.  It is the juxtaposition of the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6-7) with the earthly experience of separation from God and the sweet love that we experience when God forgives us, namely, freedom (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).  Kaleidoscope does not magnify their sin, but God’s grace.  This becomes more apparent in Bridge.

[Verse 3]

Line 1a: Jesus paid the penalty of our lawbreaking with His life (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).

Lines 1b and 2: Christ’s sacrifice enables us to forsake our old way of life and live for Him (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Lines 3 and 4: Rewords ideas in Verse 1, lines 3 and 4.

[Bridge]

Lines 1-4: Rewords ideas in Verse 2, lines 1 and 2.

Lines 5-8: Kaleidoscope recognizes that their sin was partially responsible for putting Jesus on the cross.  Had they not violated God’s law and lived a life of self, there would be no reason for Jesus to die.

Lines 9-12: The shed blood of Jesus washes away their sins (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Lines 13-15: An expanded form of John 1:16.

[Outro]

Lines 1 and 2: Repeats Bridge, lines 13 and 14.

Line 3: Essentially repeats Hook, line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Kaleidoscope’s message will be easy for those outside the camp of Christ to comprehend. Though they may not fully understand the consequences of breaking God’s Laws, Kaleidoscope communicates it as best as any Bible passage could muster.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God’s great sacrifice for us and the grace that He brings to those who trust in Him.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Kings Kaleidoscope’s Felix Culpa is an excellent song.  It expresses the attitude and thoughts of believers who understand the significance of how sin leads us to appreciate God’s lovingkindness to us, bringing Him glory.  Unbelievers should have little problem understanding this song.

I have no qualms about using this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Felix Culpa (listen to the song)

Artist: Kings Kaleidoscope

Album: Becoming Who We Are

Genre: Pop, Rock

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 4:47

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

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.