…they miss the message!

 Christian music and worship are full of lyrics with Universalist themes. The proclamation in Philippians 2 seems to be one of the most often penned containing the message:

> Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phillippians 2:9-11 KJV)

 Ricky Dillard & New G, Matthew West, Matt Papa, Chairo, Gateway Music (Michael Bethany), Hillsong, Dottie Peoples, J Brian Craig, and many other contemporary Christian recording artists have written songs featuring this message.

 Twila Paris recorded those lyrics 35 years ago, while a Steve Vest song containing the lyrics was published in 73 Hymnals beginning in the Spring of 1969. At the Name of Jesus is a hymn with lyrics written by Caroline Maria Noel which was first published in 1870. Some 9th-century Latin hymns reference Philippians 2 as well.

 But the most astounding tidbit I have found in researching this subject (so notable it should be the subject of the post rather than a bullet point) was that the oldest hymn containing the words of Philippians 2:10-11 dates to the mid-1st century (c. AD 50-60). Known by scholars as the Carmen Christi or Hymn to Christ, it appears Paul is quoting this early Christian hymn in his letter, making IT the oldest source to directly feature the passage and not the passage itself. That ought to cook your noodle!

 The artists wrote, recorded, and perform the lyrics. Congregations all over the world sing the songs translated into hundreds of languages and they still believe in everlasting conscious torture in a hell void of the presence of God.

 Comments?

 On the veil of darkness that seems to be draped over the eyes of Christianity?

On the sheer volume of songs written containing these words?

On the Carmen Christi, Hymn to Christ?