Several of the songs in the Suite lightly touch upon the concept of deception falling under the guise of education. Biblically, it is clear that God’s word is available for all, whether rich or poor, strong or weak, smart or dumb, educated or unlearned, etc. In other words, people from every walk of life… from every continent, time and place. Only at the cross did God’s gospel of grace spread-out for all to hear and decide what they would personally do with this gift of entering His presence and His kingdom.
Unfortunately, even though we all have the same opportunity, we don’t all accept or respond to God in the same way. This is a theme which was a major part of Christ’s teachings. He went as far as referring to those who hear but don’t heed as “bad soil”… which is an extremely unflattering way of calling such a person ‘worthless and not usable’. Of course His reference was in regard to that person’s spiritual state and not to their position in society. This means that though a person might be in a high, well respected place of power, spiritually they are dead. Any spiritual advice they might give does not come with authority from God or His truths, but from some other source, be it their own vanity, pride, deceit or dishonor. And if it comes from the spiritual realm, it is from those dark forces whom are rebellious and against the Lord and all He stands for.
In this first quarter, as the Alpha & Omega Suite obtained worldwide airplay, it has been received quite well… by both those who believe God’s word and by some who don’t yet have a personal relationship with God. Several of the songs have been ‘starred’ as being personal favorites of the listener. Of course I always enjoy seeing when somebody has added a song to their list of favorites. This means that something about that song has touched the listener, whether it’s the music, the beat, the genre, the lyrics, or even the message. Naturally, I hope that at least the message is being understood and contributing to the approval rating. The importance of the Alpha & Omega Suite is in the message. That’s what it is all about.
Recently though a ‘negative rating’ has been applied to the Suite. This doesn’t really surprise me… what surprises me is that it hasn’t received more criticism. Christ warned those who follow Him that in the same way that He was criticized and rejected, so will be His message, and so will be those who follow after Him. I’m sure as more ears hear and comprehend what the lyrics proclaim, more negatives will be added against the Suite.
Interestingly, the person who called the Suite ‘ridiculous’ also proudly proclaims himself to be a ‘consultant and a college professor’! Those are both two honorable professions. I have high respect for those who teach and for those who consult. But… only if they’re wise and virtuous as well!! I also believe that if you are teaching, you owe it to your students to stick to your subject of expertise. Students have no need for a professor who espouses their personal beliefs and opinions within the structure of a classroom. Granted, outside of the classroom if a student asks for a teacher’s opinion, then that information should be freely given. Normally, a student assumes a teacher’s knowledge extends beyond what they are paid to teach. This false assumption happens far too often within the confines of universities and schools of higher learning.
So, can a teacher of Math, English, Sociology… or even a football coach, also be an expert in areas of religion, or of God’s true Word (not the same thing)? Of course they can! Most of us are knowledgeable in areas outside of what we are paid to do. But, should they abuse their position, and use their classroom to proselytize their belief or disbelief? Whether agnostic, atheist, religious, or believer… such a teacher’s exemplary life both inside and outside of the classroom, filled with good deeds, kind disposition, and concern for others, should speak loud and be their soapbox. It is through those areas of kindness and purity that their words have any real meaning at all.
Finally, what’s all this got to do with a college professor stamping disapproval on the Suite’s message as being ‘ridiculous’? If all he’s doing is rejecting the Alpha & Omega Suite, I can live with that. But, if he’s rejecting it because he’s already rejected God’s gospel of truth (Jesus’ gift of grace and salvation), and if his beliefs have erroneously permeated a classroom where impressionable ears are listening and pondering, then prayers need to be lifted-up so that his ‘bad soil’ is not polluting fresh soil that has not yet had a chance to be cultivated and fertilized to become spiritually pure, enriched and useful.
The Alpha & Omega Suite was composed to be another source where God’s truths might be found. While it doesn’t offer any new message or revelation, it does put to music (and present in a different way), what Christ taught and boldly proclaimed! I pray for those who hear it and have a hard time with Christ’s message within, that they might turn to Him and become good soil that He can use… and in turn spread the Lord’s glory even further to all corners! Amen.
Listen to The Alpha & Omega Suite
