September 5th, 1964, presented us with a musical hit song containing a dangerous theology. For radio “oldies” fans, let’s go back and replay the hit song, Last Kiss. The hit version as recorded by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers took 15 weeks before it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was a truly emotional tear jerker song about a tragic car accident and the singer’s grief over losing his girlfriend. The sad story resonated with millions.
Here’s the story: A young man was out on a date in his daddy’s car. Hadn’t gone very far. A car had stalled ahead of him. Our driver could not stop so he swerved to the right. Screeching tires and broken glass resulted because of the accident. His girlfriend screamed. Our young hero found his badly injured date. She asked him to hold her near and they had…one…last…kiss.
A truly sad story. What’s even more sad, however, is the theology that then emerges from the song. This is where we hear,
“Oh where, oh where can my baby be? The Lord took her away from me. She’s gone to heaven so I got to be good, so I can see my baby when I leave this world.”
If you know the song, you likely have heard that verse several times. Who knows how many millions were led down the path of hoping this young gentleman actually did leave behind a good enough life? One chap wrote on a lyrics page, “I love this song! They played it at my dad’s funeral.” No idea whether that fellow made the cut.
Then there’s the 1970s hit song, “You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart).” This was written by the prolific composers Burt Bacharach with lyrics by Hal David. Originally recorded by Dionne Warwick, the more popular version of this song was covered by the Stylistics in 1973. This beauty teaches us
“Mother told me always to follow the golden rule. And she said it’s really a sin to be mean and cruel. So remember if you’re untrue…Angels up in heaven are looking at you.”
Really? Are angels keeping score? And does breaking someone’s heart rule you out from heaven?
This brings me to the latest affront in the bad theology discussion. It came from none other than our president, Donald J. Trump. I would have expected with the myriad of his spiritual advisors, including Dr. Franklin Graham, that he would have greater clarity on heavenly beliefs. After all, look how close Mr. Trump came to meeting the Ultimate Judge face to face!
Here’s what I’m talking about. This Russia-Ukraine peace deal has got Mr. Trump doing some heavy thinking. He even asked a key person on the Nobel Peace Prize team about what his chances might be on being awarded a prize if all Trump things work together for good. Even arch enemy Hillary Clinton said, under the right conditions, she would lobby for a Trump Peace Prize.
On August 19th, the president was on a televised phone interview about his efforts with Russia and Ukraine. He pondered audibly,
”If I can save 7,000 people per week from being killed – I want to get to heaven, if possible; I’m hearing I’m not doing well. If I can get to heaven, this will be a reason.”
Great Whistler’s Mother! Does he truly believe God operates on the point system? Where do Putin and Zelensky show up on that scale if they come to terms?
Let’s clear this up. For all of us. No one merits the favor of God to enter heaven based on our earthly performance. The Bible is very clear on this.
In Ephesians 2:8-9 the apostle Paul writes,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV) And Paul tells the Romans, “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5, ESV) Start to finish. Faith in Jesus’ finished work.
Whenever you hear anyone suggest their earthly good works will merit eternal life, kindly explain to them the Bible offers a different path to heaven.
The finished work of Jesus Christ is what gets us there.
