Last night, SoundForth presented its latest CD in the Bible Conference premiere concert. God of Mercy is an excellent collection of new and old hymns sung and played by the BJU Singers & Orchestra.
I especially enjoy Dan Forrest’s setting of “How Firm a Foundation” – he does a great job creating an early American sound and communicating the strength and security that we find in God. “Beneath the Cross” is a reflective song that encourages us to meditate on the forgiveness we receive from Christ and how that forgiveness affects daily life. My favorite track is “Before the Throne of God Above” – I love the paradox of my unworthiness before Christ and my security in him! This arrangement builds to a triumphant finish as the words remind us of our unbreakable union with Christ!
God of Mercy is available from SoundForth or via download at SacredAudio.com. (The SacredAudio page includes a free bonus track that isn’t included on the CD.)
A difficult issue to deal with in Old Testament theology is the alarming frequency with which the death penalty is commanded in the Pentateuchal law. For instance, in Exodus 21-23, capital punishment is the judgment mandated for crimes like murder, assault & battery on one’s parents, kidnapping, cursing one’s parents, allowing one’s animal to kill a person, bestiality, sorcery, and idolatry. Other crimes like ordinary assault, involuntary manslaughter, tort, theft, negligence, statutory rape and oppression require financial restitution.
This is not the final answer, but one factor that plays into the severity of punishment is whether or not restitution is possible. In the case of burnt crops or stolen livestock, it is possible to make restitution (though more costly than the item stolen). In the case of murder or idolatry, there is no way to assign a dollar (shekel) figure to the crime.
That brings up an important point about sin. All my sins are, ultimately, crimes against the holy, sovereign Creator. How can a dollar figure compensate for such infractions? It can’t. And consistent with the pattern in the OT law, my judgment is the death penalty.
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
© 2005 Thankyou Music
Scott Aniol of Religious Affections Ministries recently released a CD of vocal solos and duets called God Himself Is With Us. This CD of worship music focuses on what God has done to save sinners and how saved sinners should respond to God. As a whole, the music is meditative and clear; the arrangements quietly complement the thought-provoking texts.
My personal favorites on this CD are “God of Grace” (a newer song that moves from redemption to daily life to resurrection hope), “My Song Is Love Unknown” (a beautiful setting of praise for the unspeakable love that Christ shows us in his sacrifice) and “My God, I Love Thee” (a haunting arrangement of a text that reflects the meager love that we return to our infinitely loving Savior).
You can hear some samples here and purchase the CD here.
