Your life was the only gift I’ll ever need to be free? He paid the penalty while we were sinners (Romans 5:6-8) because love is who God is (1 John 4:8). That You love the most unlovable part of me, of me? Put together, we are singing “we joyfully praise God in song” when we use this word. The word ‘Hallelujah” is a compound Hebrew phrase, with “hallelu” meaning “a joyous praise in song” and “jah” or “yah”, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Subsequent lyrics lay out what your “next chapter” looks like. Most of it does However, I take exception with the beginning of Chorus, all of Post-Chorus, the start of Verse 2, and Outro.įranklin is welcoming those who have left Christianity back to Jesus much like the angels rejoice when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10). How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture? Side Note: To those who are sensitive to massive repetition, the end of the song contains a doubly-repeated Chorus sandwiched in between two sets of sextuplets. That is not Franklin’s intent as most people don’t use the scientific definition when they think about theories. The Bridge repurposes the famous words of John the Baptist, that Christ increases as we decrease, resulting in the slow killing of self.įinally (and I won’t penalize Franklin for this review), putting the word “theory” in the title makes it sound like God’s love is hypothetical but unproven. It is God Almighty! He then states that God’s patience is unwavering and asks God never to leave. How mysterious! Then, finally, Franklin reveals the identity of our swashbuckling champion. This awesome person keeps all our secrets, even ones that, perhaps, should be reported to the authorities. Still, let’s make our rescuer proud and show him that He is the object of our affection.įranklin’s proclamation that he only loves God ignores Jesus’ commentary on the second greatest commencement, to love neighbor as self. While inspirational, it is sorely lacking in Scripture (see section 2). Throughout the Chorus and Post-Chorus, Franklin describes a superhero of sorts, swooping in to save the day at the nick of time. “Your” life is a gift, winning by losing one’s self to it. I had briefly forgotten his introduction spoke to an audience of newly converted brethren, welcoming them into the fold and giving them a pep talk almost worthy of Joel Olsteen: you have had your best life now! This is confirmed at the beginning of Chorus.įranklin goes on to rhetorically wonder how “You” could love me, even if I am unlovable. Most of Franklin’s lyrics fit that description.
My initial thought is that this would become another “Jesus as my boyfriend” song. Though I think it has some great highlights, other portions are generic or (worse) bad advice. I have mixed feelings about Franklin’s message. 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. This last album contains the subject of this review: Love Theory, which won a “Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year” Dove last year. He has released numerous albums under his choir names and himself, including Kirk Franklin & The Family (1993), God’s Property (1997), Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC (2000), and Long Live Love (2019). This stomp director also enjoyed a lavish solo career and numerous awards, including 13 Grammy’s, 21 Dove’s, 23 Stellar’s, and an American Music, Urban Music, and Soul Train Award. Choir director, artist, and lyricist Kirk Franklin is well known for his Gospel choirs, including The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC).