Many songs express Dimension 1 (acceptability before God) and/or Dimension 2 (experience of God here and now) of Salvation, and so I suggest some verses that might be added to express Dimension 3, bringing blessing to all Creation, as well. Some which express Dimension 3, I might add something of Dimensions 1 and 2.
The song, "These are the days of Elijah ...", show a desire to understand the times. In its current form it is somewhat triumphalistic and seem to express a vague hope rather than a real understanding of the time. So I suggest adding the following verse, that these are the Days of Jeremiah.
#..#..#. #..#..# #..#..#.#. .#..#..#
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These are the days of Jer'miah,
declaring the purpose of God.
The days of the prophet Jeremiah
warning God's people to live
in ways that represent God fully
so new covenant comes to the earth.
God is overturning the systems
of the world order right now.
To bring in his new full salvation
for the whole Creation, at last!
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These are the days of Jeremiah
Warning the people of God
These are the days of Messiah Jesus
Upsetting the
These are the days of John the Baptizer
Correcting the people of God
Though these are days of prosperity / great riches
Proud unconcern is rife
Technology helping to ...
These are the days of the Elders
calling for destruction of those
who destroy the earth in its fullness
Planet and people are suffering
awaiting Christ's people to lead
Oh Lord our God, how evil is our lifestyle.
The final verse speaks of partnership with Father God, rather than just serving or enjoy God. This partnership is an important implication of Dimension 3 of Salvation and of representing God:
Father I want to be with you
and do the things you do.
Father I want to speak the words
that you are speaking too.
Father I want to love the ones
that you will draw to you.
For I know that I am one with You.
Of course, this New View goes a bit further, because it covers the entire Creation, not just humans. But the idea of partnership evoked in that verse, and to some extent throughout the song, is not common among today's songs.
As love joy peace, and patience, kindness, goodness,
as faithfulness, and meekness, self-control
are grown in me, the fruit of Jesus' Spirit,
I image Him through all Creation's zone.
I can go forth, to visit all the creatures
my Father loves. And I can spend my days
to heal the sick and satisfy their hunger
for harmony through all Creation's ways.
I can be bold, since Jesus is my backbone
in speaking truth to power in all its forms,
and leading them to different perspectives
so that they change, no longer trash the world.
I work with Him, to call all to repentance
for all the harm we've done to all God loves -
His creatures all, both animal and human -
inviting all to fuller life in Christ.
And in the end, when working here is finished,
and I lay down my all before His throne,
and He renews all things in earth and heaven,
then all Creation will find with Him its home.
Those verses speak about being made mature "sons" (huios) of God who will image God to the rest of Creation, so that it will be blessed and healed and experience something of the agape love of God - and all "yet not I but through Christ in me", and in the end this is translated into resurrection hope.
It might be nice to sing the chorus once between the current verses and these ones, and then twice at the end as now. However, that makes it a very long song, with 11 verses! So, let us see what might be done.
The following are songs that might be fruitful.
"By faith we see the hand of God" Same authors.
"Love songs from heaven" Noel & Tricia Roberts.
"O Thou Who camest from above, celestial fire to impart ..." by Charles Wesley.
The first three verses express not only utter devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ but also a desire to be as He would wish me to be, completely dedicated to him. So I can properly and fully represent him in my radah in this world. It usually brings tears to my eyes as I sing it, it is so meaningful. At one time it expressed my deepest desire, and still does. The final verse, however, is written from the perspective of escape from this world, and today I find it less useful.
Johnny Cash 'That ol' wheel will come around again'. About not giving in to revenge when people hurt you, about turning the other cheek.
"Here is love, vast as the ocean"
"Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea"
Song
"In Christ alone" Stuart Townsend & Keith Getty, (c) 2001.
Songs That Express Dimension 1 of Salvation
"How deep the Father's love for us"
Songs That Express Dimension 2 of Salvation
"Hear the call of the kingdom ..." Sing it with awareness that dimension 3 (e.g. "salvation in Jesus' Name") is not just for humans or society, but for all creatures, and that the "filled with compassion" is for the entire the Creation (Psalam 145).
This page, URL= 'http://abxn.org/nv/songs.html', is "offered to God" (click to see what that means) as on-going work in developing a 'New View' in theology and practice that is appropriate to the days that are coming upon us. Comments, queries welcome.
Copyright (c) Andrew Basden to latest date below, but you may use this material subject to certain conditions.
Written on the Amiga with Protext in the style of classic HTML.
Created: 26 July 2009. Last updated: 5 November 2012 gave intro. 8 May 2019 added headings for d1, d2, d3 songs; new .end, .nav. 6 June 2019 Hand of God; corrected links. 13 September 2020 Decided this page should add verses to existing songs rather than changing them. Put Days up front, and added 'What give of grace is Jesus my redeember ... yet not I but through Christ in me." 11 April 2021 I have heard my people cry; Hear the call of the kingdom. 14 November 2021 Lord of the Years. 5 February 2023 Breathe on me Breath of God. 20 September 2024 Oh Lord Our God. 20 October 2024 Father I place into your hands ...; canonical.