I’ve been reviewing a lot of Rend Collective lately. I reviewed two songs in April, namely, Build Your Kingdom Here and My Lighthouse, both fine songs for church service, with a slight modification of Build Your Kingdom Here. Combined with my first Rend Collective Berean Test analysis on Rescuer (Good News) back in January, this post on Boldly I Approach (The Art Of Celebration) marks my fourth evaluation of song lyrics from this Irish folk band.

Update: Commenter Sarah Fisher got me thinking about angelic fear as deep reverence and respect for God. Upon closer examination, I agreed with her, causing me to remove my criticism of Verse 1 line 2 and raising the overall score from 7/10 to 9/10.

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?

There are a lot of themes fused together into the core message, that as righteous individuals, we have the right, as adopted sons and daughters, to enter God’s Kingdom and overwhelming arms of love. Other themes include:

salvation by grace alone

adoption

redemption

approaching God’s throne

God fighting our battles

God as protector

life after death

I found the second line of Verse 1 initially problematic, assuming that the phrase “Where even angels fear to tread” referred to immature individuals doing foolish things. It’s not something I wish to communicate with others, that we should stand in that place. I think that Rend Collective attempted to communicate that approaching God’s throne while sin-stained is foolish; However, the phrasing used communicates a different message. I looked unsuccessfully for Rend Collective’s explanation and requested if anyone knows where I can find it or has an alternative view, that I might be willing to change my mind.

As mentioned in the introduction, a commenter presented an alternative view, that angels feared God’s throne in the sense that they held deep reverence and respect for it. I currently believe that Sarah’s view is more likely; However, the usage of a popular idiom in this context is unfortunate.

Score: 8/10

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

I found all the lyrics to agree with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

By grace alone somehow I stand

A mantra of the Protestant Reformation, grace alone stance finds Scriptural support in Romans 3:23–25, Romans 11:5–6, Ephesians 2:4-10, and 1 Corinthians 15:10.

Where even angels fear to tread

This line initially didn’t make Biblical sense in light of the first line. This comes from Alexander Pope, who wrote in his 1711 poem An Essay on Criticism, now an idiom meaning inexperienced people attempting something that wise people avoid. It is not found in the Bible.

Is Rend Collective suggesting the unbiblical idea that standing on grace alone, salvation depending on only God, is unwise? Or is where “angels fear to tread” referring to something else, perhaps their collective deep reverence and respect for God?

If we go back to the first line, it begs a question: where do I stand that angels would fear to tread? Lines 3 and 4 answers this question: it is before God’s throne (Isaiah 6:1-6). However, the idiomatic phrasing is unfortunate as it could

Invited by redeeming love

Before the throne of God above

He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands

Into His everlasting arms

The last few lines indicate Jesus is the One to whom invited Rend Collective into His loving, everlasting embrace (Matthew 11:28-30) and brings them before the Father’s throne. The latter is true given that Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand (Matthew 22:44, Acts 2:33, Acts 7:55–56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews+12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, and Revelation 3:21).

The nail-scarred hands reference the crucifixion of Jesus (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).

[Verse 2]

When condemnation grips my heart

And Satan tempts me to despair

I hear the voice that scatters fear

The word satan means “accuser” or “adversary”, both of which he uses to lure us away from God. He has come to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). James 4:7 calls us to submit to God and resist the devil. It is His perfect love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

The Great I Am the Lord is here

As spoken by the Father to Moses in Exodus 3:14 and Jesus’ use for Himself in John 8:48-59.

Oh praise the One who fights for me

This an Old Testament concept, where the Lord fought for Israel’s army in Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 1:30, Deuteronomy 3:22, and Deuteronomy 20:4, finding a loose connection in Romans 8:31 in New Testament theology.

And shields my soul eternally

God as protector is found in Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18. New Testament theology demands a guaranteed spiritual barrier.

[Chorus]

Boldly I approach Your throne

As commanded in Hebrews 4:16.

Blameless now I’m running home

By Your blood I come

The first part of line 2 is God’s declaration that we are righteous, that is, in right standing with God because of Christ’s redeeming blood (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).

The second part of line 2 references the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:23-27. We are to continue running towards God and to live for Him. There is a similar reference in 2 Timothy 4:7 in which Paul said that he finished the race and kept the faith.

Welcomed as Your own

A loose reference to adoption (John 1:12-13, John 14:18, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 John 3:1-3).

Into the arms of majesty

Derivative of Verse 1 line 6. Majesty is a Lordship term, indicating God’s sovereignty over His creation (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 50:7-15, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).

[Verse 3]

Behold the bright and risen Son

More beauty than this world has known

Eloquently summarized in Psalm 50:1-2. Psalm 27:4 and Isaiah 4:2 are also fitting.

I’m face to face with Love Himself

Though not literally, that is the hope and promise we have in Revelation 22:4.

His perfect spotless righteousness

Three ways of describing the same attribute of God in the same sentence. Well played, Rend Collective!

God is righteous (Exodus 9:27, Deuteronomy 32:4, Judges 5:11, 1 Samuel 12:7, 2 Samuel 23:3-4, Ezra 9:15, Nehemiah 9:8, Job 37:23, Psalm 7:11, Psalm 9:8, Psalm 11:7, Psalm 36:6, Psalm 35:24, Psalm 40:10, Psalm 48:10, Psalm 50:6, Psalm 65:5, Psalm 89:14, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 97:6, Psalm 99:4, Psalm 103:6, Psalm 119:137, Psalm 71:19, Psalm 111:2-3, Psalm 119:7, Psalm 119:142, Psalm 129:4, Psalm 145:17, Isaiah 5:16, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 45:21, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 51:8, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 11:20, Jeremiah 12:1, Lamentations 1:18, Daniel 9:14-16, Micah 6:5, Zephaniah 3:5, Zechariah 8:8, John 17:25, 2 Timothy 4:8, and Revelation 15:3), His Ways are perfect (Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 32:4, 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 25:8, Psalm 92:15, Isaiah 26:7, Matthew 5:48, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Romans 12:1-2, and 1 Peter 1:16), and the Son is the perfect, righteous, spotless sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19).

A thousand years, a thousand tongues

Are not enough to sing His praise

They’re not enough

But we can still try, for all eternity (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).

Running into Your arms

Combines portions of the econd and fourth lines within Chorus.

[Bridge]

This is the art of celebration

Much like the party the father threw for the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:22-24.

Knowing we’re free from condemnation

Oh praise the One, praise the One

Who made an end to all my sin

As eloquently described in Romans 8:1-39.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Despite the high usage of Christian terminology, unbelievers should easily understand the core tenets of the themes described in section 1. Yet, I cannot rate this higher than section 1 given my earlier commentary.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It does glorify God in more ways than one; However, the slight compromise in Verse 1 diminishes it somewhat.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Much like their song Build Your Kingdom Here, Rend Collective’s Boldly I Approach (The Art Of Celebration) Approach is highly biblical, has a great message easily understood by non-Christians, and brings glory to God. It also contains a slightly troublesome line.

Worship leaders may want to consider it for its high Biblical accuracy, but should be aware of the idiom in Verse 1 might cause questions.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Boldly I Approach (The Art Of Celebration) (listen to the song) (buy the song)

Artist: Rend Collective

Album: The Art of Celebration (buy the album)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 6:02

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

*Copyright © 2014 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family. Songs@integritymusic.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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