Why
Nichole Nordeman

We rode into town the other day
Just me and my Daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide

We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man
That my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes

So I said "Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I'll bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy, please can't you do something?
He looks as though He's gonna cry
You said he was stronger than all of those guys
Daddy, please tell me why
Why does everyone want him to die?"

Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And Daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering
If there was something he had to hide

So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross

And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows

Father, please can't You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle the cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
When will I understand why?"

"My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know

But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father's side

Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die"

And here were my observations, which I emailed to our pastors:

I understand the sentimentality and the attempt to convey some sort of message of God's love in the song, but let me say straight out that I found the song downright blasphemous and unbiblical. Let us examine the pertinent parts:

And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father, please can't You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle the cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
When will I understand why?"

Those words, according to the song, were the words of Jesus and an attempt to convey the agony of the cross. I agree with the motive but the lyrics are blasphemous, particularly when they are being sung as words ascribed to the Lord. Let me show you why I think this way...

And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?

First, Jesus Christ was innocent. This meant that He had no sin and committed no sin. However, this does not mean that He was ignorant. Time and again in His earthly ministry He affirmed KNOWLEDGE that He would die of the sins of many (Mark 10:45). His prayer in John 17 are not the words of an ignorant man.

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. (Matthew 17:22)

Second. Jesus was not a raving fool on the cross. We can read a lot of meaning in "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" but we do not have the right to make it appear that Jesus was raving: Raving is when a person, bereft or reason, would "talk irrationally in or as if in delirium" (Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary)

Third, this is plain ridiculous:

I thought I could handle the cross of this size

Is this to say that Jesus had second thoughts because He swallowed more than He could handle? He knew full well who He was and why He came in the flesh: No one else would suffice. He knew that He had to die and He knew why. He chose this path.

He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." (Mark 9:31)

Fourth, the song gives Jesus amnesia:

Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?

Is Jesus so stupid that He did not even know what was happening or why it was happening to Him? Was He some brainless fool made into a scapegoat without His knowledge, understanding and consent? That is how the song depicts Him. The only thing that Jesus claimed ignorance about while in the flesh was the time of His second Advent, but to make it sound like He FORGOT "what on earth he was here for" is downright insulting to His person.

Remember how He assured the thief on the cross? Would a clueless and worse, pain-maddened person even do that? Or would someone behaving as the song depicts be even able to demonstrate to the thief, the centurion at the foot of the cross that He was, after all, who He claimed to be?

Ephesians 1:3-14 describes our spiritual blessings in Christ and highlights what it was all about: "in accordance with his pleasure and will" (1:5) and this appears in variations throughout this sentence (as far as I remember, the passage was one long sentence in Greek).

John 17:1 says: After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. GLORIFY YOUR SON, THAT YOUR SON MAY GLORIFY YOU. As far as I understand, this is the bottom line, the very purpose of the cross. It was for God's eternal glory. Yes, it does save sinners and yes, it was an act of love, but it was all about God's eternal glory from start to finish.

"My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father's side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die"

And now what is this? An impotent Father comforting his witless son? It sure sounds that way. Never mind the man-centered theme of the song, which is another issue altogether, but consider the underlying theology expressed by the song.

Brethren, we all know Jesus is perfectly Human, but let us not highlight one aspect of who He is and neglect the fact that we are talking of God here. He became flesh, but He did not have a sinful nature. He was, as Millard Erickson explained it, a real man but with no sinful nature (something like a union between the divine nature and the untainted human nature of the pre-fall Adam).

In our sentimentality and attempts to dramatize what Jesus went through for us, let us not end up degrading His person and, by extension, His work for us. That Deity clothed Himself in frail flesh to save wretched sinners is enough: let us not trample on the person of Jesus and pass it off as a Christian song.

The death of Christ should move us to tears, yes. Tears of awe and worship, tears of adoration and love. Tears of thankfulness and joy that undeserving sinners as we are, Jesus has purchased our redemption with His blood. However, tears of PITY have no place in worship. And that, precisely, is what the song seems to want to evoke: pity for a person, hanging on the cross, suffering, maddened by pain, raving, forgetful of what it was all for, ignorant, and totally out of control.

I had to keep from taking communion that day because I was completely upset. Honestly, I wanted to walk out of church right there and then, but my wife stopped me. She agrees with my assessment of the song, and I am saddened that she was there to hear it. At least she stopped me from overreacting.

If I err in my analysis, please correct me so I may learn.

 

john 

Just to add a note, I didn't make this analysis, I found this post from another christian website. Somebody else made this analysis so don't think I did this at all. 

Although I admit, I agree with the person who made the analysis. 

Interesting. Why by Nichole Nordeman is just a song to me so it doesn't matter to me if the song is Bibical or not.

I understand the fact that its a song, but u must also understand that songs also has meanings. Christian songs gotta be biblical! Because we're talkin about God here! If this person somehow criticized the song like this, then Nichole shouldve at least checked the whole Theology of the song before publishing it. This song actually belittles Jesus into a more humanistic sense. Though he's human, u must understand, he's not a sinful human. When he went to the cross, He's aware of whats happening and whats about to happen... I love some of her songs but this song stood out as it has some errors.

All Christian songs don't have to be a Bibical. Christian songs are ment to be postive and encouraging songs. There is a lot of songs out there that aren't Bibical songs but still they are positive and encouraging songs that people love to listen to.

uhh, can i just say, that this song happens to be biblical. This is pertaining to the life of Jesus Christ, and if you happen to talk about Jesus in your song, you gotta be careful that you really write the song with how it was described in the bible. You can't just post encouraging Christian songs without relating everything to the bible. I mean, thats why its called Christian songs from the beginning wouldn't it? Christians should be doing things biblically and talking about things biblically because the bible is the very foundation of our faith! You can't just encourage somebody without bringing a biblical perspective to it. You're probably talking about non-christian songs that are encouraging, but then again, they wouldn't know that there's a biblical perspective to it, God's fingerprint may have bcome part of their lives but didnt realize it and I might even quote a bible verse for you. Give me one christian song that's encouraging but no biblical perspective!

Ok I see where you coming from there with Christian songs being Bibical and not just encouraging and positive songs. I can't think of a song that would a Christian song that is encouraging but that isn't Bibical. I just find Christian songs to be positive and encouraging but I don't find the meaning behind the songs unless I love the Christian song so much I want to find out more about it. Now if you want a real Bibical song then just look at the different Christian artists that have put verses in the Bible into a song like Psalm 150 or something like that. Now a song that has actual verses from the Bible with a verse to it in a song would be a more Bibical song then a song that someone just wrote because God inspired them to write this song. So that is what I see a being a real Bibical song which has actual verses from the Bible in it. There is worship songs but they are mostly bring praise and worship to God. That is just how I see it. I hope you understand where I am coming from with this.

I don't understand any criticisms of this song. Did not Jesus ask why His Father forsake Him on the cross? In other words, there  are things in the Bible we do not understand(or will not understand at least until our own earthly death).

Grant it, the song is not Biblical in that Nichole used her imagination in trying to reveal what other things Jesus thought during the Crucifixion. But to call this song blasphemous reminds me of the Pharisees when they were convinced Jesus had a demon in Him during the scene in the Bible where Jesus was driving out demons. 

Braveheart:

I don't understand any criticisms of this song. Did not Jesus ask why His Father forsake Him on the cross? In other words, there  are things in the Bible we do not understand(or will not understand at least until our own earthly death).

Grant it, the song is not Biblical in that Nichole used her imagination in trying to reveal what other things Jesus thought during the Crucifixion. But to call this song blasphemous reminds me of the Pharisees when they were convinced Jesus had a demon in Him during the scene in the Bible where Jesus was driving out demons. 

I agree with you completely :)

Agreed -

 John, c'mon. I know it's not  your 'argument' but whoever originally wrote it i think is being a bit silly. Braveheart is right - Jesus asked the Father "why have You forsaken Me?"  He wasn't being "Ignorant" in that statement either. He also asked if there was any other way- to let this cup pass. what? Jesus didn't know!? 

 It's about artistic license, yes..even in Christian music. Just as it is in Christian literature, movies etc etc. Yes, it's a fine line - but in such cases you should refer to the 'spirt of the law' vs. the 'letter of the law' - if you know what i mean. The notion that Jesus comes off as 'ignorant, stupid or amnesiatic' are, i'm sorry - absurd.

 One of the greatest things about coley's music is the fact that it's not robotic Christian dribble...and yes - that stuff is out there. Nichole isn't saying this is SCRIPTURALLY how it happend. If so...THEN sure - you could call her out. This is how she decided to interpret it for her song when she wrote it - which btw she was very young when she did. I'm willing to bet that this song has brought way more souls to the Lord than has turned away because someone grappled with the fact that "according to Nichole Nordeman, Jesus was really clueless".

 I would ask the guy that wrote that response if he feels that as the song was played in church - and as it touched so many people in the room - Jesus was shaking his head in disappointment. Personally, Ii don't think so.

It really looks like someone put a lot of time and research into that original post. If you ask me, it was a sad waste of time. =)

 

=M= 

 

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**everyone is broken**

mekinism:

Agreed -

 John, c'mon. I know it's not  your 'argument' but whoever originally wrote it i think is being a bit silly. Braveheart is right - Jesus asked the Father "why have You forsaken Me?"  He wasn't being "Ignorant" in that statement either. He also asked if there was any other way- to let this cup pass. what? Jesus didn't know!? 

 It's about artistic license, yes..even in Christian music. Just as it is in Christian literature, movies etc etc. Yes, it's a fine line - but in such cases you should refer to the 'spirt of the law' vs. the 'letter of the law' - if you know what i mean. The notion that Jesus comes off as 'ignorant, stupid or amnesiatic' are, i'm sorry - absurd.

 One of the greatest things about coley's music is the fact that it's not robotic Christian dribble...and yes - that stuff is out there. Nichole isn't saying this is SCRIPTURALLY how it happend. If so...THEN sure - you could call her out. This is how she decided to interpret it for her song when she wrote it - which btw she was very young when she did. I'm willing to bet that this song has brought way more souls to the Lord than has turned away because someone grappled with the fact that "according to Nichole Nordeman, Jesus was really clueless".

 I would ask the guy that wrote that response if he feels that as the song was played in church - and as it touched so many people in the room - Jesus was shaking his head in disappointment. Personally, Ii don't think so.

It really looks like someone put a lot of time and research into that original post. If you ask me, it was a sad waste of time. =)

 

=M= 

 

I agree with you in all that you had to say about this topic. I also agree with this that posting this topic was a waste of time.

OK - I just joined this site, after hearing Nichole Nordman for the first time - or at least since becoming aware that the music I was listening to was hers - lol

What on earth is all this about?? John, I have to say that in my opinion, your focus is totally wrong, my friend. One of the biggest things that really annoys me is the amount of time that Christians spend pulling other Christians down, especially about differences in music. Let's not forget that music, period, is a gift from God. Talent and interpretation of music is also another wonderful gift from God. Yes of course there are those out there who have prostituted and abused the gift, but I can tell you that Nichole is not one of those. Her music is inspired and inspiration, and I for one have been moved to tears listening to her words.

Why on earth can't Christians get back to the focus of what being a Christian is all about - seeking and saving the lost, not picking and backbiting and attacking one's Christian brothers and sisters. Sometimes, the meaning and the sentiment behind a song reach deep into the hearts of a person, where words from the Bible cannot. We can't keep beating people about the head with scripture all the time, we have to live like Jesus, and accept people where they are at, and try to show them the love of Jesus, and the forgiveness of Jesus and the mercy of Jesus, in ways that will speak to them.

You know, I even had one 'Christian brother' who tried to tell me that the only acceptable music is psalms as they are the only words inspired by the Holy Spirit. He also tried to tell me that Bluegrass was near to being Holy, but Rock music isn't. I would like him to meet some of the Christian rock bands I know of, and the fans who have come to know of the love of Jesus through words considered by others as blasphemous.

Lay off Nichole and focus on someone who really needs to hear the message of the Gospel of salvation. Jesus said "Go out into the world to preach, baptise and make disciples" He did not say "Go out into the world and add to the already gaping chasm of division between Christians.

All that being said, I wish you God's blessing - Albie

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Albert J Burton

Silverevangel:

OK - I just joined this site, after hearing Nichole Nordman for the first time - or at least since becoming aware that the music I was listening to was hers - lol

What on earth is all this about?? John, I have to say that in my opinion, your focus is totally wrong, my friend. One of the biggest things that really annoys me is the amount of time that Christians spend pulling other Christians down, especially about differences in music. Let's not forget that music, period, is a gift from God. Talent and interpretation of music is also another wonderful gift from God. Yes of course there are those out there who have prostituted and abused the gift, but I can tell you that Nichole is not one of those. Her music is inspired and inspiration, and I for one have been moved to tears listening to her words.

Why on earth can't Christians get back to the focus of what being a Christian is all about - seeking and saving the lost, not picking and backbiting and attacking one's Christian brothers and sisters. Sometimes, the meaning and the sentiment behind a song reach deep into the hearts of a person, where words from the Bible cannot. We can't keep beating people about the head with scripture all the time, we have to live like Jesus, and accept people where they are at, and try to show them the love of Jesus, and the forgiveness of Jesus and the mercy of Jesus, in ways that will speak to them.

You know, I even had one 'Christian brother' who tried to tell me that the only acceptable music is psalms as they are the only words inspired by the Holy Spirit. He also tried to tell me that Bluegrass was near to being Holy, but Rock music isn't. I would like him to meet some of the Christian rock bands I know of, and the fans who have come to know of the love of Jesus through words considered by others as blasphemous.

Lay off Nichole and focus on someone who really needs to hear the message of the Gospel of salvation. Jesus said "Go out into the world to preach, baptise and make disciples" He did not say "Go out into the world and add to the already gaping chasm of division between Christians.

All that being said, I wish you God's blessing - Albie

I agree with all that you have said.

and i agree with all that tobymacrocks has said. ;)

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**everyone is broken**