Bad Theology + Bad Singing = Arminian Hymn

When you mix bad theology and bad singing, you end up with something like this:

I Give You Freedom (The Whippoorwill Song)

I set the boundaries of the ocean vast,
Carved out the mountains from the distant past,
Molded a man from the miry clay,
Breathed in him life, but he went astray.

I hold the waters in My mighty hand
Spread out the heavens with a single span,
Make all creation tremble at My voice,
But My own sons come to Me by choice.

CHORUS:
I own the cattle on a thousand hills,
I write the music for the whippoorwill,
Control the planets with their rocks and rills,
But give you freedom to use your own will.

Even the oxen knows the master's stall,
And sheep will recognize the shepherd's call
I could demand your love - I own you twice,
But only willing love is worth the price!

And if you want Me to, I'll make you whole,
I'll only do it, though, if you say so.
I'll never force you, for I love you so,
I give you freedom - Is it "yes" or "no"?

HT: Pastor Gene Cook, who featured this heretical hymn on his latest show.

What's funny is that the song, though presented as biblical truth, contradicts itself. Note verse three, which talks about the sheep hearing the shepherd's call. This is a reference to John 10:27, where Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." The sheep, and no one else, are the ones who hear and respond to the voice of the shepherd.

But who are the sheep? Those chosen and placed in the care of the shepherd (John 10:28-29). We know this because of what Christ says in Matthew 25: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' ... Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" (verses 31-34, 41).

In short, those who do not follow the shepherd were never considered to be sheep in the first place and were never part of the flock. The sheep, on the other hand, recognize the shepherd's voice and respond accordingly. Unless we accept the premise that goats have the ability to choose to become sheep, we must conclude that there is more to the decision to follow Christ than mere "free will."