Read: Luke 15:11-32
“I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:18-22, NRSV).
Sing (or don’t): “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver, & Ron Jackson
There are so many good things to say about the lyrics to Cory Asbury’s popular song, “Reckless Love.” The song is replete with biblical allusions which both enrich and inspire. Here are a few of the ones I heard.
The opening stanza echoes Psalm 139:13-16, in which the psalmist wonders aloud at being “knit together in my mother’s womb” and “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Can you hear it?
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Later, the line when I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me made me think of Saul/Paul’s dramatic Damascus Road story (Acts 9). And a line from the refrain manages two allusions in one. Speaking of God’s love, it celebrates the fact that it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. The easy reference there is to the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:12-14 where the good shepherd leave(s) the ninety-nine on the mountains and go(es) in search of the one that went astray. The more subtle echo (perhaps only audible to an Old Testament professor’s ears) is to Psalm 23:6, which, when translated literally, celebrates the fact that God’s goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life.
So, what’s not to like in these lyrics? Take another look at the full refrain:
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
While God’s love is absolutely “overwhelming” and certainly “never-ending,” I’m not sure it’s accurate to describe it as “reckless.” That word connotes that an action is done thoughtlessly or without regard for consequences.
I’m not the first person to quibble with Asbury’s word choice. Enough other people have objected to it that Asbury felt it necessary to issue a kind of caveat:
“When I used the phrase, ‘the reckless love of God,’ when we say it, we’re not saying that God Himself is reckless, He’s not crazy. We are, however, saying that the way He loves, is in many regards, quite so. But what I mean is this: He’s utterly unconcerned with the consequences of His own actions with regard to His own safety, comfort and well-being. He doesn’t wonder what He’ll gain or lose by putting Himself on the line, He simply puts Himself out there on the off-chance that you and I might look back at Him and give Him that love in return.” – Cory Asbury.
Point taken. Still, I found myself wishing that “Reckless Love 2.0” might feature the word “prodigal” instead of “reckless.” (I know, it creates a difficult rhythm, but work with me here.) Although it’s not a word we use much anymore, it does draw on another story from Scripture. The story of the “prodigal son” in Luke 15:11-32 gives us a profound picture of the kind of love Asbury seeks to portray in this song. Indeed, many have suggested that a better title for the parable would be the “prodigal father,” who runs to embrace the son who once was lost but now is found. The prodigal father’s love is extravagant, unstinting, and—hey, this would work with the song’s rhythm—lavish.
So, is “Reckless Love” heretical? No—but that one unfortunate word choice is sadly misleading. And unless you want to include the author’s careful caveat every time your congregation sings the song, it makes it awkward to use.
Ponder: Have I spoiled this song for you? Why or why not.
Pray: May we love as lavishly as you have loved us.