When “How Great Is Our God” first hit the worship charts in the fall of 2004, George W. Bush was in the White House, Barack Obama was a little-known Illinois lawmaker just elected to the U.S. Senate, Donald Trump was a would-be reality TV star and scholars were just starting to pay attention to an uptick in the people known as “nones.”
Twenty years later, the song, co-written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash, remains a hit — currently No. 4 on the CCLI worship chart, popular in small groups and stadium worship concerts.
It’s also become the theme song for Christian nationalists.
“How Great Is Our God” was sung by protesters during the Jericho marches that preceded the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and has been a staple at Christian nationalism conferences in recent years. And last week, when MAGA activist and worship leader Sean Feucht stood at the gates of Columbia University to oppose pro-Palestinian protesters and to demand that the school’s president resign, “How Great Is Our God” was on his lips.
“Our hearts will sing how great is our God,” he sang into a bullhorn, with a drummer in the background and a flag bearing the Stars and Stripes alongside a blue and white Star of David waving overheard.
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At first listen, “How Great Is Our God” seems an unlikely candidate for a Christian nationalism protest song. There is nothing overtly political or partisan about the lyrics, and the song is sung in churches of all shapes and sizes. And it remains extraordinarily popular. The song first appeared on the Top 100 list compiled by Christian Copyright Licensing International, which licenses music for use in churches, in October 2004 and has remained there ever since, often among the top 10 songs.
Leah Payne, a religious historian and author of “God Gave Rock & Roll to You,” said “How Great Is Our God” showcases the skill of Tomlin and his co-writers — who have fused the power of stadium rock anthems with Christian lyrics, creating songs with infectious hooks that draw a crowd into singing along.
“I don’t think they get enough credit for being skilled at what they do,” she said.
“How Great Is Our God” also harkens back to an earlier era of worship music, she said, before megachurches such as Hillsong, Bethel and Elevation dominated the industry. The hit songs churned out by those churches often rely on vocal acrobatics and sophisticated arrangements — filled with white space and instrumentals, which makes them harder to pick up spontaneously.
By contrast, “How Great Is Our God,” at its heart, is a guy with a guitar. The song is so simple and catchy that Tomlin admitted he was a bit embarrassed when he first wrote it. But the chorus had magic to it — giving it the kind of power of a song like “We Shall Overcome,” sung at protests for generations.
“A guy with guitar — or a woman with a guitar — could just pick it up,” said Payne. “It’s just a well-written pop song.”
Payne said worship songs like “How Great Is Our God” work well at protests, regardless of what the protest is about. For example, she said, “Waymaker,” another hit song, was sung both at Black Lives Matters protests and at anti-vax rallies in 2020.
The lyrics of a song like “How Great Is Our God” can be vague enough that verses describing the God of the Bible could easily be adapted to mean the God of America or the God of a particular group of people.
“When I think of ‘How Great Is Our God,’ I wonder, who is the ‘our’?” Payne said.
Matthew D. Taylor, a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies and author of a forthcoming book about the New Apostolic Reformation, says there’s a reason why activists like Feucht pick popular worship songs to play at their rallies. If Feucht, a musician and worship leader, sang his own songs, which can be more overtly political, no one would sing along — since they are relatively obscure.
Taylor said that in recent years, evangelical worship has become increasingly political, especially as congregations became more polarized in the wake of Trump’s 2016 election. Folks who sing songs like “How Great Is Our God” are more likely to share the same political views than they did when the song was first released in the early 2000s.
The COVID-19 pandemic amped up that polarization, said Taylor, with Feucht and other activists turning worship into a partisan act during pandemic-era lockdowns. Feucht began holding outdoor impromptu worship rallies in places such as Portland and Seattle, near the sites of protests that followed the death of George Floyd.
“We are here as citizens of America and citizens of the kingdom of God,” he said during a 2020 worship protest in Seattle. “And we will not be silenced.”
For Feucht, worship is a weapon that empowers Christians for political action as an act of spiritual warfare, as the one-time congressional candidate put in a sermon posted on his YouTube channel. Singing a worship song can show your political allegiance and fill the act of singing with political meaning.
“It’s the idea that Christian worship is itself a political act, a partisan act,” said Taylor. “And one that baptizes the agenda of one party or one presidential candidate, and demonizes the agenda of the other party.”
Feucht did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Ironically, said Taylor, the same folks who love “How Great Is Our God” would be aghast if protesters began shouting out “Allahu Akbar” — an Arabic phrase that means the same thing for Muslims.
Adam Perez, a musician and assistant professor of worship studies at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, said “How Great Is Our God” differs from other popular worship songs because it focuses on praising God, rather than testifying to the worshipper’s faith.
“’How Great Is Our God’ is more straightforward praise and worship,” he said.
The song also draws clear lines between good and evil, darkness and light, which lends itself to partisan politics. Perez said the songwriters didn’t intend the song to be political, and for many people, it is not.
But it still has language that works for partisan goals. “How Great Is Our God” also has a triumphant tone to it — in that God will overcome any obstacle — and that could include political enemies, said Perez. Which can make it a fit for protests.
“God is going to overcome whatever blocks your way,” he said. “That triumphant proclamation of God is the clear connection in these places.”
Perez, who has studied the theology behind Feucht’s worship protests, said the context also matters. A song like “How Great Is Our God” has a different meaning during a Stop the Steal protest or a God and Country rally than it does at a Sunday morning worship service.
But the simplest explanation may be that lots of Christians love “How Great Is Our God.” So it makes sense that Christian nationalists would love it.
“It’s a really popular song,” said Perez.
Bob Smietana is a national reporter for Religion News Service.
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17 Responses
I think this writer misunderstands the purpose of the Sean Feucht rally at Columbia University. It was not to promote “MAGA” or any other political agenda. It was to oppose the vicious hatred of Jewish people which is exploding on our college campuses. I’m sorry but God bless him! (Full disclosure- I am a Messianic Jew – a Jewish person who has accepted Jesus as Messiah). Also, I am confused by this obsession with “Christian Nationalism.” Is it wrong to want godliness and righteousness in our beloved country which is becoming more and more wicked every day?
I think the problem is that Feucht has positioned himself as a political figure, aligning himself with political causes, so it’s easy to mistake everything he does as political.
The big problem with aligning with political parties is, what we are discovering, evil is being done by all countries, whether it’s Palestine, Israel, Australia, the USA, Canada, Senegal. I think as followers of the teachings of Jesus, we are called to be in His Kingdom, which extends beyond and physical borders, it’s bigger than any political party and its head of state is not human.
The issue with what Feucht is doing (and he’s not alone in this) is mistaking God with being aligned with any country or party. God is bigger than all. And we do a massive injustice if we delude ourselves to think that God is aligned with any group or country. God is aligned with His righteousness and His Kingdom. Separation of church and state was to protect the church more than anything else.
It’s not hateful against Judaism or the general citizens of a country to denounce and abhor the actions of their government. Unless you have conflated a man-made government with the people of God. Which happens far too often in both Christian Nationalism and western christianity + Israel
The rallies aren’t about hatred of Jews. The rallies are calling out the genocide of Gaza citizens, and america’s complicty in the harm being done by the nation state of Israel. Most of the rallies have Jewish students and professors in them. It’s not anti-semitism to be against the state of Israel bombing civillians. There are a few instances of anti-semetic chants, but if you think those are the majority, or even more than a very small minority of what is happening at the protests on college campuses, I encourage you to consume a wider variety of news.
It seems to me that this writer misunderstands the purpose of the Sean Feucht rally. It was not to promote “MAGA” or any other political agenda. It was to fight against the horrific hatred of Jewish people which is exploding on our college campuses and elsewhere. I’m sorry, but God bless him! Also, I am confused by this obsession with “Christian Nationalism.” Is it wrong to want righteousness and godliness in our great country which is becoming more and more wicked every day? If we continue down this dark path, God’s judgment will certainly come and we believers will feel the pain!
I use to really love that song! I am deeply discouraged that it has been co-opted by the Christian Nationalists. I have a feeling that from here on out I should stick to hymns that our least 100 years old.
Taylor says, “It’s the idea that Christian worship is itself a political act, a partisan act.” That statement is so off the mark. I’m saddened to see this kind of attention being given to this song as it definitely wasn’t what the writers intended. Did this story even need to be written??? I personally haven’t heard any modern worship songs that are political in their message. Having said that, singing a “worship song” that somehow hinted towards christian nationalism would most definitely be lame idol worship.
This recent handwringing about so-called Christian Nationalism is understood by those who hate the value that Christians hold to, but I fail to understand how any Christian is concerned at all. Every person on earth would like their government to reflect values they hold dear. Why no handwringing over Secular Nationalism, or Muslim Nationalism. I believe the moral standards the Bible teaches are good for me and my neighbor, and if I love my neighbor, which is the second great commandment, am I now a Christian Nationalist? It is a term coined by those who hate Christians, and Christians worried about it have not the matter through. Julie Roys correctly argues for abuse in churches to be exposed and in most cases reported to authorities. This would be in accordance with her Christian values, and I am sure Bob Smietana concurs. Does this make them also amongst the feared Christian Nationalists as they impose Biblical principles into civil society. Methinks not. Let’s not fall for this silliness.
I would be interested to know what Bob Smietana means by Christian Nationalist. And, what form of Nationalism would he prefer?
Grace & Peace to you Rob. You bring up the topic of Nationalism, yes capital “N”. ?? For some Americans, nationalism is a religion and some say on equal par with God, i.e. God and Country. We say how proud we are, and thankful we are not like other nations. Honestly,…..how do you think Jesus views our allegiance to our nation? Maybe Idolatry? God bless America? Look in the mirror. God have mercy on America. “the Way of Jesus” did not require military defeat of the Roman occupation or strict compliance to Jewish authorities and laws or exclusion of other peoples.
Christian Nationalism is a COUNTERFEIT movement and work of the devil in an attempt to sabotage the true coming kingdom when Yeshua rules on earth IN HIS OWN POWER & MIGHT. Key word: “HIS”. Not “ours”.
Damage, Distract and Detour with counterfeit is #1 satan’s modus operandi. Highly effective too.
It is written:
“MY kingdom is NOT of this world…….for this world is NOT our home, we look forward to our eternal home in heaven. We are just STRANGERS and PILGRIMS in this world…..passing by. For our citizenship is in heaven and we await our saviour who shall establish HIS kingdom by HIS power. So, do NOT love this world or the things in it nor seek to save it. For the love of the world is enmity with the Father”….
John 18:36, Hebrews 13:14-16, 1 Peter 2:11-12, 1 John 2:15-17, James 4: 4-8.
It is a loosing battle to force nations ‘Christian’ by political devices; and many who adhere to the tenets of this movement will fall prey, and succumb to the wiles of the BEAST of the book of Revelation; when it arrives in the scene.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Seraphina, a very apt analysis of the problems with Christian nationalism. Thank you for reminding us that Christian nationalism is NOT Christianity.
“How Great Is Our God” and “Waymaker” are two songs I hate. Really. Praise and worship leaders got in a rut or maybe just lazy by the over-use of those songs. My wife is tired of me always complaining about the songs. If there’s any single reason I would drop out of church, it’s the music. It’s mindlessly repetitive. For Sean Feucht and his ilk, they use the song as a not-so-subtle crowd manipulation.
While I appreciate these songs, I understand your sentiment, Daniel. I feel like I went years hearing the same 4 or 5 songs on repeat during praise and worship.
It has been refreshing – and reflective – to return to singing hymns as of late, including many hymns I grew up hearing my grandmother hum around the house (“Blessed Assurance” was a favorite of hers).
Seems an odd choice of a song for them.
Why are they so fearful of what will happen to them if Trump is not elected?
And how “great” do they think God is if they believe The Almighty needs Trump’s assistance to save Christianity?
They don’t seem to believe The Lord of All is great without Trump.
Eric Trump claims his father ‘literally saved Christianity’
BY CELINE CASTRONUOVO 10/07/20 06:06 PM ET
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/520090-eric-trump-claims-his-father-literally-saved-christianity/
Allahu Akbar” actually means “Allah is the greatest”.
It’s more than a subtle difference.
Also, I don’t think it’s fair to use this article to have (another) pop at Hillsong and Bethel.
Neither “churn out” songs either. Their songs are worked on for a long time.
The other implied accusation (that they’re over-produced) is not valid either.
Just look on YouTube at the innumerable acoustic versions of most of their songs – either by themselves or others “covering” them: you will only see “one guy/gal and a guitar”!
I have appreciated TRR for it’s reporting on many other issues, but this article is disappointing. When Christians sing “How Great Is Our God,” of course they are referring to the Christian God. The writer has completely misunderstood the purpose behind worship rallies. Please stick to reporting on real issues, not vague opinions.
I find this article disturbing. Have you not seen the Jewish students barricaded from going to classes and afraid to leave their dorms? The cries supporting hamas and calling for the genocide of the Jews and death to America? A Christian man has the courage to mobilize people to show their support and stand with Israel and against this evidence ideology that is killing not just Jews but many Palestinians, and you’re writing an article about a worship song becoming an anthem of Christian Nationalism? As if this is a political issue or something is wrong here? We really need to wake up.