Newsboys – We Believe

Originally called The News, The newsboys started in….oh wow, 1985! They changed their name early on to avoid issues with Huey Lewis and the News.  Nobody likes to get sued!

With three separate headliners to boot: John James, Peter Furler, and of course, the current frontman, former DC Talk member Michael Tait.  They released a whopping 17 studio albums (I won’t list them all, I promise!), around 6-7 with each lead singer.

They picked up four Dove awards, all pre-dating 2000.  These include Rock Album of the Year (Going Public; 1995), Rock Recorded Song of the Year (Shine, 1995), Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (Take Me To Your Leader, 1997), and Short Form Music Video of the Year (Entertaining Angels, 1999).   I am surprised that We Believe did not win something!  Oh well, I suppose a review will have to suffice.

Although Life Worship is the original copyright holder for this song, Newsboys’ version came out first.  Therefore, I created an entry on the Song Review Index page for both artists.

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?

Similar to Petra’s Creed, its Chorus lifts the most important elements of the Apostle’s Creed.  The verses and bridge describe other elements connected to this creed, including the transformation from old to new self, actions greater than words, the importance of love, and torn veil.

The usage of the word “we” is a nice touch, especially in corporate worship.  It is a more inclusive word that encompasses the entire body of believers.  At least, within a congregation.

Score: 10/10

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

All lines agree with the Bible; However, there exists a slight clarity issue with Verse 1 and the first line of the Bridge.  Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear

Much like the unstable, unwise doubter described in James 1:5-7.

There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe

That is, Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11).

In this broken generation

Given man’s default setting, that is, deceitful wickedness, this will be true regardless of who sings it (Jeremiah 17:9).

When all is dark, You help us see

God drives out the darkness with His light (see 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).

There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe

Jesus said as much in John 14:6; the only way to the Father is through Him.

[Chorus]

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit

The Trinity as described in the Apostle’s Creed.

And He’s given us new life

Refers to putting away our past (old self) and embracing transformation under Christ (new self; see 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).

We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection

Describes in summary the Gospel according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.  Also, see Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, and Acts 4:33.

And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

Refers to Christ’s second coming, which has over 50 Bible passages!  To remain succinct, I will only list a few relevant passages: Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, and Revelation 16:15.

[Verse 2]

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe

Though not clear in language, Newsboys refers to works.  Our love for others ought to express itself not with mere words, but with actions and truth (1 John 3:18).  To do otherwise is to attain a dead faith (James 2:14-26).

[Bridge]

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised

Lost and found references the three parables Jesus told in Luke 15:1-32: lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son.  I am not 100% clear on dead be raised.  It could either be:

1. Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8);
2. The Final Resurrection (Luke 20:34-38, Acts 24:15-16, Romans 6:1-5, Romans 8:11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 1 Corinthians 15:50-56, 2 Corinthians 4:13-14, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); or
3. Dead to old self/raised to 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).

In the here and now, let love invade

Given the two greatest commands by Jesus, namely to love God and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40 and Luke 10:25–37), His new command to love one another (John 13:34-35), and Paul’s commentary that love is greater than faith or hope (1 Corinthians 13:13), we most certainly must allow love to take over.

Let the church live loud our God we’ll say
We believe, we believe

See commentary on Verse 2.

And the gates of hell will not prevail

Of course not!  The gates just stand there, idling (Matthew 16:15-20).

For the power of God, has torn the veil

The torn veil in Matthew 27:51 is no small thing.  The veil serves as a physical barrier between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:31-35).  The High Priest entered once a year and made atonement for Israel (Leviticus 16:2-34).  With Christ’s death came the expiration of this Old Covenant system of atonement.  No veil required!

Now we know Your love will never fail
We believe, we believe

That is, it endures forever (Psalm 136:1-2).

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The overt and explicit mentions of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, crucifixion, and resurrection easily conveys a Christian overtone to non-Christians.  Especially since they are front and center in the Chorus, repeated three times before the song ends.  The other elements described in sections 1 and 2 help also, rendering a separate interpretation illegitimate.  Newsboys is clear about what they believe.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

How can any song that elevates the Apostle’s Creed not glorify God?  Everything in that creed is in the Bible, including Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead (1 Peter 3:19).

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

As one should expect, Newsboys’ We Believe is highly biblical, easily understandable by outsiders, and contains an awesome message that brings God glory.  While it does suffer slightly in terms of clarification, it is highly overshadowed by the immense power found throughout these lyrics.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: We Believe (listen to the song)

Artist: Newsboys

Album: Restart

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2013

Duration: 4:21

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

*Copyright © 2013 Travis Ryan Music (ASCAP) Integrity’s Praise! Music (BMI) Life Worship (PRS) Integrity Worship Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

10/18/2022 – Michael Ramsey informed me that Life Worship is the original artist for this song.  However, I’ll leave the title alone for this review because Newsboys’ version came out first.